Country code: 47.

Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. Mobile phones cannot be hired. Coverage is mostly good, but may be patchy in rural areas.

There are many Internet cafes throughout Norway and the Internet can also be accessed via public libraries.

Hotel receptions, shops and kiosks selling postcards will sell stamps. Airmail within Europe takes two to four days.

Post office hours: These vary from place to place but are generally Mon-Fri 0830-1600 and Sat 0800-1300.

Norway's public broadcaster NRK has had competition from private local and national stations since the heady days of monopoly. Press freedom is guaranteed by the constitution and public radio and TV broadcast without interference from the Government.

• Norwegians are among the world's keenest newspaper readers.
• The number of publications is impressive, given the country's small population.
• Most of the press is privately owned and openly partisan.
• The national newspapers published in Oslo are Aftenposten, Dagbladet and Verdens Gang.
• There are no English-language newspapers although English newspapers are readily available (one day after publication in the UK).

• NRK operates national channels NRK-1 and NRK-2.
• TV2 and TV Norge are national commercial channels.
•  Canal Digital is the main supplier of satellite services.

• Radio NRK is a public broadcaster, operating three national stations and local services.
• P4 is national and commercial, as is Kanal 24.
• Radio 1 is commercial but is essentially a music-based radio station.