Belgium’s international dialling code is 0032. For directory enquiries, dial 1405 (English). There are call boxes in all major towns and country districts, and telecards are available from newsagents, supermarkets, railway stations and post offices.

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. The main networks are Proximus, Base and Orange Belgium (formerly Mobistar). Coverage is excellent.

Wi-Fi is widely available and often free in hotels and cafés. Designated internet cafés are becoming hard to find, although fast food outlets such as McDonalds do offer free Wi-Fi in the cities.

As a result of its political and linguistic divide, Belgium has two separate public broadcasting organisations: the Dutch-speaking VRT and French-speaking RTBF, each with its own regulations. Cable services, such as Telenet and Belgacom, offer dozens of domestic and foreign channels, including BBC and BBC2. The Bulletin and Agenda are English-language magazines published weekly in Brussels. New Europe and European Voice are English-language papers focusing on EU news. Films are shown in English (marked OV) with Dutch and French subtitles, as well as dubbed French (marked as VF). Country-wide cinema listings can be found at www.cinenews.be.

Belgium’s national postal service, bpost (www.bpost.be) became public in June 2013. Airmail takes two to three days to reach other west European destinations. Stamps can be bought at post offices, supermarkets, hotels, campsites, service stations and souvenir shops.

Hours can vary.