Business Visits to London: Postage, Telecommunications and Mobile
Phones
In this section you'll find practical information to cover
every aspect of a holiday or business trip to London.
As well as background on British
culture, post, telecommunications,
banking, currency and public
transport. You'll also find the contact details of embassies
and high commissions in London
for further UK work permit
and working visa advice needed for immigration to UK
UK Post Offices
The Post Office is a government agency which provides a wider
range of functions than its overseas counterparts. The full range
of services is featured in the "Postal Address Book"
which you can obtain from any post office.
UK Postage
First Class postage stamps cost 27p. First class post will usually
arrive the next business day within the UK. Second class takes
about 3 working days.
Payments
Payments can be made at Counter Services within the post office
by cash or cheque. These include: Household bills that are part
of the National Giro Service Accounts System (gas, electricity
etc) National Savings transactions, TV licence, tax discs for
cars.
Most post office counters are open Monday to Friday from 9.00
to 17.30 and on Saturday from 9.00 to 12.00. Local post office
opening hours vary.
UK Public Call Boxes
Public telephones are generally available in larger shops, pubs
and along the street, they have facilities to make calls, send
text messages and emails. Call boxes generally take 10p, 20p,
50p and £1 coins and/or phonecards. Not all pay phones accept
incoming calls so make sure you check before asking someone to
call you back. Phonecards are sold in most newsagents and Post
Offices. Phonecards come in £2, £4 and £10 denominations.
British Telecom (BT)
To obtain a new telephone service contact BT sales by dialling
150 for residential or 152 for business service. There will be
a connection charge to activate an existing line and a charge
of around £100 to install a new line. If you would rather
that your telephone number does not appear in phone books you
must request "ex-directory". BT offer additional services
including voice mail, call waiting and caller ID.
Telephone charges are based on metered units. This unit charge
varies according to the time the call is made for local, national
and international calls.
Daytime rate: Monday to Friday 8.00 - 18.00
Cheap rate: Monday to Friday 18.00 - 8.00; All weekend
Telephone bills will be issued on a quarterly basis unless you
specify otherwise.
www.bt.com
Mobile Telephones in UK
Commonly referred to as "mobiles" mobile telephones
are very popular in Britain. The service tends to be less expensive
here than in the US; user are not charged for incoming national
calls.
A mobile can be bought on the High Street, popular shops include
The Carphone Warehouse, The Link and Vodafone.
The stores will be able to provide you with details on the various
service options available. Common providers include Vodafone,
O2, Orange and T-Mobile. Most of these companies offer service
that will work throughout Continental Europe. If you need coverage
in the US please check before buying your phone and committing
to a service provider.
www.vodafone.co.uk
If you are not able to commit to a 12 month contract your best
option may be to buy a "Pay-as-you-go" mobile, most
service providers have these phones available, you do not pay
line rental but simply pay for calls by buying "Top-up"
cards or by credit card. There are also companies specialising
in mobile phone hire.
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