IDD is available to major towns. Country code: 261, followed by a two-digit number for an access provider, but a standard dialling code is expected to be introduced soon. After the international and access codes, numbers should be seven digits including two initial digits for the geographical area. The cheapest way to make phone calls is to use a telephone card and call from a telephone booth. Telephone cards can be purchased at post offices and most hotels. Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage reaches major cities and main roads. Public Internet access exists in large cities; there are a few Internet cafes in Antananarivo. Mr Ravalomanana owns the private Malagasy Broadcasting System, which operates the MBS TV and Radio MBS networks. Although nationwide radio and TV broadcasting remain the monopoly of the state, there are hundreds of private local radio and TV stations. Press: There are no English-language newspapers; six dailies are published in French and/or Malagasy. The main papers include La Gazette de la Grande Ile, Madagascar Tribune and Midi Madagasikara. TV: Television Malagasy (TVM) is state-owned. Radio-Television Analamanga is privately run, as is Madagascar TV. The commercial MBS TV is owned by Ravalomanana. Radio: Many private radio stations in the capital are owned by pro-Ravalomanana politicians. However, a boom in privately-owned FM radio stations and more critical political reporting by the print media followed 1990's law on press freedom. Malagasy National Radio (RNM) is state-owned; privately owned stations include Radio Don Bosco (Roman Catholic FM station), Radio Tsioka Vao and Radio Korail; Radio MBS is commerical and owned by Ravalomanana. Airmail to Europe takes at least seven days and surface mail three to four months.
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