TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The Information age, particularly in the last three years, has brought more change on the African continent than in any other region. For instance, in Zambia, telecommunication facilities are among the best in sub-Saharan Africa, with high-capacity microwave links connecting the majority of larger towns and cities.
Zambia is a member of lntelsat and has an Earth Station in Lusaka, which gives the country direct telephone, telefax, e-mail and television links with the rest of the world. Most of the exchanges (Over 9 7%) are now automatic, while the remaining are manual. There is an ongoing exercise to digitalise most of the exchanges, public telephones and independently operated cellular telephones are found in the main urban centres.

Postal services are fairly well organised in Zambia and one does not have a problem sending or receiving letters. There are three commercial lnternet Service Providers in Lusaka and another on the Copperbelt.

Public telephones are available in most public buildings, i.e. post offices, and most use tokens. International calls can also be made from a private home or large hotel. Direct dialling to neighbouring countries requires 4 sets of numbers: first the international prefix 00, then the country code, the city code, then the number. Incoming calls usually cost less than outgoing calls from Zambia. To book an operator assisted international call, dial 090 or 093. Local directory assistance is 103. There are secretarial services along Cairo Road in Lusaka that offer telephone, fax, telex and e-mail facilities for a fee.