Country code: 380. You can buy telephone cards for public payphones in post offices.

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies.

Internet cafes are available in all cities and towns.

Services are erratic. Letters to Western Europe can take two weeks or more. The main post office in Kyiv is located at Khreshchatik 22 and is open 24 hours. You can make telephone calls and send faxes here.

Post office hours: Generally 0800-1700.

A free media is one of the very tangible benefits of the Orange Revolution. Until 2004 there was very limited press freedom, with independent journalists being intimidated, and, in one famous case, murdered, when not toeing the government line. Since Viktor Yushchenko became president in 2005, a free press has flourished and lively debate has been encouraged.

• The most widely read newspapers include the daily Fakty i Kommentarii, Segodnya, Ukryina Moloda and Den.
• The Russian press is also widely available.
• The Kyiv Post is a daily English-language newspaper.
• Western newspapers are available in Kyiv.

• The state-run National TV Company of Ukraine operates UT1, UT2 and UT3.
• Commercial channels include ICTV, Inter TV, 5 Kanal, STB, Novy Kanal and Studio 1+1.

• The state-run National Radio Company of Ukraine operates three networks. 
• Commercial stations include Europa Plus, Hit FM, Nashe FM and Russkoye Radio.