COMMUNICATIONS

Telephone, Telex, Telefax, Computer Networks

Colombia has a modern communications technology. Besides the national company TELECOM, the decentralized telephone companies are also competent for the supply of the telecomunications services.

Private and foreing investments are allowed in the communications area. The local telecomunications market is already liberated so that, in several cities, not only a national company exist, but also several privates companies, the latter mostly with foreing capital investment. Also the long    distance call system, hitherto monopoly of TELECOM, is also managed by two private companies, wich resulted in a price reduction for long distance calls.

Mobile telephones operate all over the country. Several foreing companies took advantage of this opportunity and supplied Colombia with the cellular phone. Now Colombians finally can have a chat with their girldfriend or make business out of the car or from the swimming pool.

Both, national and international telephone call  can be dialed directly or via operator. In the case of the today´s exclusively used direct dialing in business life, the exact time of the call, together with the dialed number, are shown in the printout of the bill.

Businessmen can connect their telephone to their computer, which works at the same time as an aswering machine when the office is closed.

Bussinessmen can connect their telephone to their computer networks as well as to digital radio and TV. There are several internet service providers; and not only the goverment but also many enterprises have their own home page. Gennerally, internationnal financial transactions pass through S.W.I.F.T.

Telex and Telefax are used in Colombia, the fax is preferd to the telex because of its lower cost.

Additional services telecommunications companies offer are:

• International Data Network

• Satellite-transmission for radio and TV

• Weather satellite-transmission

• Satellite-communication for navigation (IMMARSAT)

• Direct dialing

• Special services (alarm clock, Centrex, ISDN)

Mail Delivery services

All  bigger international mail delivery services operate in the country, such as SKY COURIER, UPS, US-MAIL, AMERICAN WINGS, OCS, and DHL. But also the Colombian mail services offer excellent atention for dispatches in or outside the country. Normally the delivering time to Europe adds up to one to two days and to the USA 24 hours.

Mail

The Colombian mail System mainly complies with the European Standard. Losses of letters are seldom but from time to time a parcel is lost. The process is fast and without complications. The delivering time via airmail from Europe to Colombia and vice versa is about one week. You should avoid sending your mail by sea because of the long shipingtimes. Unfortunately, the German authorithies still do it, so that very often, important official information arrives month after the deadline.

Letters from Colombia to Germany should only contain paper. When the bloodhound fails, the obligatory drug control is done selective. A letter that already has been opened may be forgotten to send. Samples or bigger shipments are opened and closed in the mail pos office in front of a custom official.