Congo, Republic of Travel Guide - Communications

Country code: 242. Links with Western Europe are generally poor.

Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. Coverage is mainly limited to Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.

Limited access. Facilities are available at some hotels.

There is an unreliable internal service. Post takes four to 18 days to arrive in Europe.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0730/0800-1200 and 1430-1730; and (for stamps and telegrams) Mon-Sat 0800-2000; Sun and public holidays 0800-1200.

Broadcasts on state-run radio and television stations generally reflect government views. Broadcasts from neighbouring Congo (Dem Rep) can be received, and rebroadcasts of Radio France Internationale, the BBC and Voice of America are available in Brazzaville. There are now no prison terms for libel and insult but incitement to violence and racism remains punishable. All newspapers in Brazzaville are all privately-owned and some may include criticism of the government.

• Daily papers, which are all published in French, include ACI Actualité, Aujourd’hui and Mweti Journal de Brazzaville.

• TV Congo is operated by state-run Radiodiffusion Television Congolaise.

• Radio Brazzaville and Radio Congo are state run (the former is limited to the capital area only).
• Radio Liberté is a privately-run station.