Panama telephones, cellphone services and more.
Panama Phone Dialing Guide
Phoning TO Panama (from outside the country)
Country Code 507
(Code used to call Panama from another country)
To call Panama dial your International Access Code + 507 + local
number (seven digits)
Examples
From USA 011 + 507 + seven-digit local number
From UK 00 + 507 + seven-digit local number
From Hong Kong 001 + 507 + seven-digit local number
Phoning FROM Panama to other countries (int'l long distance)
Prefix used to make an international call from Panama: 0
To call a country from Panama dial 0 + country code + area code + local number
Examples
To USA 0 + 1 + area code + local number
To UK 0 + 44 + area code + local number
To Hong Kong 0 + 852 + area code + local number
Discounted rates apply between 10p.m. and 7a.m. daily. An operator assisted
call will cost twice the sum of a direct call. To make a collect or credit
card call to the U.S., dial one of the access numbers. Public phones will
require a deposit for the procedure.
AT&T
00-800-001-0109
Sprint 115
MCI 108
MCI 2810-108 (from a military base)
Phoning WITHIN Panama
There are no domestic access codes, just dial the 7 digit telephone
number direct. All calls within Panama are considered
local. (Useful to know: The first digit of the seven-digit
number can indicate the destination of a call, as shown in
the following table:)
Bocas del Toro 7
Chiriqui 7
Cocle 9
Colon 4
Herrera 9
Los Santos 9
Panama City 2
Veraguas 9
Good to know info about Panama Telephone service
--There are no area codes in Panama.
--Subscriber numbers contain seven digits.
--Toll-free and premium telephone numbers are not available.
--Cell phone numbers start with the prefix '6'.
--Callers must dial a '9' when trying to get an outside line from an office
or other self-containe (PBX) telephone system.
--Subscribers can sign up for call waiting, voicemail, conference calling,
and call forwarding services.
--The telephone system in Panama is controlled as a government monopoly;
deregulation is due to begin in 2003.
Emergency
and Assistance Numbers
Police 104
Fire 103
Ambulance 103
Directory 102
Panama
Cell Phone information
Cell phone numbers are seven
digits in length. More recent, and future numbers, have two-digit
prefixes in the range of
60 to 69. Other prefixes include 208, 209, 218, 219, 408,
418, 708,
and 718.
International calls to cell phones in Panama follow the format:
country code [507] + seven-digit number.
Frequently Asked Questions regarding Cell Phones from visitors
to Panama:
1. Will My Cell Phone Work in Panama?
Yes, if your home country service provider has a roaming agreement
with a carrier in Panama and your phone is compatible; check
with your home country service provider on these two issues
before you leave.
Note: Panama's cell providers offer older digital TDMA 800 and
new GSM 850 technologies. Travelers from GSM 900/1800 countries
who are interested in a roaming agreement with a GSM 850 carrier
should make sure their phone is tri-band (850/1800/1900).
2. Receiving Calls
Provided your home country service provider has a roaming agreement
with a service provider in Panama and your cell phone is compatible
with a network in Panama, your cell phone number travels with
you. Your calls get through even if people don't know your
location.
3. Making Calls
Dialing procedures are the same as for local cell phone users,
which are identical to general telephone usage (see above for
guide).
4. Local SIM Cards
Panama's GSM 850 cell phone networks allow the use of SIM cards.
Cards with various payment options are readily available for
use; however, before making a purchase, ensure that your cell
phone is not locked to a specific network.
Local Panama Cell Phone Service Providers
Renting a Cell Phone
Travelers wishing to rent a cell phone may choose one of two
options:
1.
Before departure: Rent a locally compatible phone (short-term
rental) before departure and have the advantage of cell service
immediately upon arrival.
2. After arrival: Ask at your hotel for a local cellular phone
rental service .
Setting Up a Local Account
Another option for cellular phone service is signing up with
a local provider in Panama. This may be the most cost effective
option if you intend to stay for an extended period.
Cellular
Systems Available in Panama (All digital, no analog available)
Cable & Wireless Panama TDMA 800 n/a Web: www.cwpanama.net
Email: contactenos@cwpanama.net
BellSouth
(BSC de Panama) TDMA 800 n/a Web: www.bellsouth.com.pa
TelCA Panama
GSM n/a Tel: [507] 263-4444
Fax: [507] 264-5962
Phone/Modem Plugs required
Illustration © Copyright 2001 by World Trade Press.
Telephone
/ modem plug adapters are available through iGo Corporation
and other suppliers.
Panama
Telephones: Public Phones
Considering the Panama
Canal, and its significance to the international business
community, it is no wonder that the
phone system,
as well as the public telephones themselves are easy to use
and readily available. The Panamanian phone system ranks
high compared with many of its neighbors'. Both coin- and
card-operated
telephones exist throughout Panama for public use. Coin-operated
telephones accept 5, 10 and 25 centivos coins.
Coin/Card Telephone Instructions
Lift receiver
Wait for dial tone
Dial number
Insert coins or card
When call is completed, hang up and remove card
Note: These phones often reject nickels.
Card Telephone Instructions
Lift receiver
Listen for dial tone
Insert card
Dial number
Upon completion, replace receiver and retrieve card
Panama: Telephone Calling Cards
There are three fundamental types of calling cards:
--Those you purchase directly or indirectly from a local telephone
monopoly.
--Those you purchase from third-party telecommunications suppliers.
--Those calling cards that are extensions of your current telephone
service.
How They Work
Telephone Monopoly Calling Cards:
Calling cards can be purchased from stores or vending machines
or through speciality suppliers
prior to departure.
Calling cards purchased from the local telephone monopoly are
generally used as if they were cash money in the pay telephone.
Cards are generally sold in incremental values. (i.e. 10, 20,
50)
Cards can be used for both local and long-distance calls.
To place a call simply lift the receiver, insert the card and
dial the number. When the call is completed remove the card and
retain until all value is used.
Third-Party Telecommunications Suppliers:
Calling cards can be purchased from stores or vending machines.
Calling cards purchased from third-party telecommunications suppliers
often require that you call an access telephone number and/or
enter an authorization code prior to placing your call.
Prepaid calling cards can be used for both local and long-distance
calls.
Calling cards can be purchased in pre-paid disposable and pre-paid
rechargable forms. Rechargeable cards can have value added at
any time via the telephone or Internet.
To place a call simply lift the receiver, dial the access telephone
number, the authorization code and the number you wish to reach.
The cost of the call is deducted from the value of the card.
Your Existing Telephone Service Calling Card:
Obtain your calling card and country access telephone numbers
before you leave your home country.
Cards can be used for both local and long-distance calls.
To place a call simply lift the receiver, dial the access telephone
number, authorization code and the number you wish to reach.
The costs are added to your regular telephone bill.
Information to Consider When Buying a Pre-paid Calling Card
--You should ensure the following information is either posted
at the point of sale or included as a part of the packaging:
--The telecommunications supplier company name.
--List of countries where the calling card can be used.
--A number to reach the company's technical support if you have
questions or problems.
--The calling card expiration date if one exists.
--The maximum charge per minute or unit for calls.
--Any additional surcharges, fees or taxes.
--The procedure for extending the card's time/value, if possible.
Telephone
Call Back Services
You can (potentially) save significant
sums when making calls in Panama by using a call back service.
Fees for call back
services vary widely, depending on the company and the type
of service
required.
How It Works
Call back service should be established before you arrive at
your destination.
Call back service is not for temporary service or for traveling
tourists. It can only be accessed from a predetermined number
or numbers at your overseas location.
Call back service companies enable you to save money on calls
by accessing another country's phone system in order to take
advantage of lower rates. For example, a call back user in Argentina
calls a number in the USA that automatically calls back and allows
the caller to dial any number in the world as if they were in
the USA. Hence "call back". The user is charged a premium
on the USA rate, but for a total cost that is usually much less
than the Argentinian rate.
How To Use
Select a call back service based on rates and services offered.
Provide the call back service with a telephone number in the
country where you will be staying.
The call back service provides you with an access telephone number.
This is the number you call when overseas to trigger a call back.
Dial the number provided by the service from the overseas telephone
number that you provided and hang up after the 1st ring.
The service will immediately call you back at the telephone number
you provided with a dial tone that allows you to dial any number
in the world.
Panama Fax service
Fax machines are widespread, and service is generally good.
Most commonly they are found in hotels and hotels.
Panama Telegram service
Most
post offices and top-end hotels have telegram services.
Panama
Postal Service
Mail to North America takes up to one week. Airmail to  Europe
takes about 5 to 10 days. Incoming mail could take considerably
longer. It is best not to send anything valuable.
Hours of Service
Monday to Friday 6:30a.m. to 5:45p.m., Saturday 7a.m. to 5p.m.
|
