Country code: 243. Internal telephone service is often unreliable and exists only in major towns. Satellite or cellular telephones are often used by international organisations.

Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. Note: Using a handset in public can attract unwanted attention and make the user a target for robbery.

Available, though power shortages may cause difficulties. There are Internet cafes in Kinshasa.

The country is included in the Universal Postal Union and the African Postal Union. Airmail to Europe takes officially takes four to 18 days but in practice can take much longer.

Post office hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1700.

The Congolese media operate against a backdrop of political power struggles and sometimes violent unrest. The press has been able to criticise the Government bodies in certain publications but the media still do so at the risk of threats and possible violence. There are several daily newspapers; many more publications appear sporadically. There are many privately-run TV and radio stations. Church radio networks are growing, but the state-controlled broadcasting network reaches the largest numbers of citizens.

• The daily newspapers are in various African languages.
• The main newspapers are L’Analyste, Boyoma and Mjumbe.

• Radio-Television Nationale Congolaise (RTNC) operates state-controlled terrestrial and satellite TV.
• Television Congolaise is a Government commercial station run by RTNC.
• Canal Kin and Raga TV are private stations.
• Antenne E is a private, commercial station.
• Canal Z is a commercial station.

• Radio Okapi is UN-backed and aims to become the only media outlet with national coverage and to enable dialogue across the political divides; available on FM and shortwave.
• La Voix du Congo is state controlled and operated by RTNC, broadcasting in French, Swahili, Lingala, Tshiluba and Kikongo.
• The BBC and Voice of America can be heard in Kinshasa via Raga FM.
• Kinshasa listeners can hear Radio France Internationale broadcasts from neighbouring Brazzaville.