Calling and Communication in Stockholm

Swedish phone system is one of the oldest in the world dating back to 1880. To date it is also one of the most advanced and progressive networks much due to Ericsson Company activity, which also preserves nearly 100-year-old history. Beginning from the establishment of telephone devices, nowadays it has conquered global telecommunications market by constant introduction of new technologies. In total, the communication services in Stockholm are represented by mobile and telephonic networks.

Nowadays the territory of Sweden, including Stockholm, is covered by networks of three major mobile operators - Europolitan, Tele2/Comviq and Telia Mobile, which follow the common standards of GSM, MT 450 and NMT 900. Practically, the tariffs are the same – 5,5 SEK during workdays, but from 7PM -7 AM and on weekends the prices decrease up to 2 SEK (except of a call rate of 40 oera).

The special place belongs to Telia Company, which has crucial benefits for visitors and tourists in the country; it is associated with Telia Travel Card, which offers reasonable tariffs for international calls (50 units - 120 SEK, 125 units - 250 SEK, 200 - 390 SEK). Its owner might make calls to 220 countries in the world and not only from Sweden but to the other 30 countries.

The technology of Travel Card usage is pretty simple. In particular, every card has its unique code, which allows making calls from any kind of phone device: home phone, payphone or hotel phone, at any time and at reduced rate. You do not need to put the card into the phone, but to dial a toll-free number and enter the code card.

Telia Mobile also offers three types of telephone cards, which also can be used in public payphones. They differ in amount of paid time and, therefore, the prices are 30, 60 or 120 SEK respectively. The entire range of telephone cards is active for a year since the date of the first call performed. These are the most wide-spread telephone cards in Sweden, which might be found in every news stall, tobacco shop or post-office. In order to make an international phone call using public payphone one should dial a number in such a way: 00 (or +) + country code + area code + phone number. There is also a system of calls payment by a subscriber (“correct call”). In this case, the dial starts with 2 and has a button before the number for calls within Sweden or 0018 for international calls.

It is appropriate to add that making calls from payphones and mobile devices are of bigger prerogative than using private phones, as far as even local phone calls should be paid for. Moreover, public telephones are distributed almost everywhere, especially in Swedish capital. Common traveler might find them in metro stations, railway stations, airports, hotel lobbies, offices and other public places. Coin box telephones are a bit rare phenomenon, which might be met in transport stops and stations and travel centers. They accept coins in amount of 1, 5 and 10 SEK.