Ethiopia Travel Guide - Communications

Country code: 251.

Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. Coverage is patchy and largely confined to major urban areas.

There are Internet cafes in Addis Ababa. Some top-end hotels may also offer services, although connections may be difficult. Service is rapidly improving as demand soars.

Service to and from Europe takes up to two weeks.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600; Sat 0800-1200.

Although the state controls radio and television, the print and broadcast media have seen positive changes since the overthrow of the dictator Mengistu. Deregulation has been on the cards for some years.
Licence application forms were given to would-be private radio broadcasters in 2004 and in 2006 two private FM stations were awarded licences. Some opposition groups beam radio broadcasts from overseas using shortwave transmitters.
The number of privately-owned newspapers has increased. The relationship between the press and the authorities has sometimes been difficult, especially after the violent protests that followed the 2005 elections.

• Amharic newspapers published in the capital include state-owned Addis Zemen.
• The English-language state-owned daily is The Ethiopian Herald.
• A number of other weeklies are also available.

• Ethiopian Television (ETV) is state owned.

• State-owned Radio Ethiopia operates National Service and External Service.
• Voice of Tigray Revolution is Tigray Regional State government's radio.
• Radio Fana was founded in 1994 by the ruling party.