Communications

Internet

Internet access around Fiji is variable. You can usually get access (whether you're on your smartphone or laptop) in the major cities—Suva, Lautoka, and Nadi. Most accommodations (from backpackers to resorts) also offer Wi-Fi. In these areas, access is cheap; usually about 10¢ per minute. There are also a number of Wi-Fi hotspots supplied by organizations like Tomizone around the airport and commercial centers, but check your signal before signing up for an hour's worth. There are also Internet Cafes scattered around Fiji, even on some of the islands. Check the Yellow Pages under "Internet Cafe" for the nearest. Outside of the cities, especially in the outer islands, access is more difficult to come by and you'll pay for the privilege; the fees nearly double the price of that in urban areas.

You can also access the Internet via 3G and 4G, but only if you're within an area of your service provider's coverage.

Phones

The good news is that you can now make a direct-dial telephone call from virtually any point on earth. The bad news? You can't always do so cheaply. Calling from a hotel is almost always the most expensive option; hotels usually add huge surcharges to all calls, particularly international ones. In some countries you can phone from call centers or even the post office. Calling cards usually keep costs to a minimum, but only if you purchase them locally. And then there are mobile phones which are sometimes more prevalent—particularly in the developing world—than land lines; as expensive as mobile phone calls can be, they are still usually a much cheaper option than calling from your hotel.

Fiji's country code is 679.

Calling Within Fiji

The best option for making phone calls in Fiji is to use a phone card and dial direct, as it's usually the cheapest and the most reliable. Phones are available in most hotels and resorts. Local calls are usually free, and you can use a phone card for the international calls. Public phones are scattered throughout the city, but they're rarely in working order. In the outer islands, satellite and cable systems provide some phone access, but it's spotty at best, and calls tend to be more expensive than calling from the major cities.

Calling Outside Fiji

When calling from Fiji, put 00 before the number. International directory assistance in Fiji is 022.

Calling Cards

The cheapest way to phone home is by using a phone card to dial direct. You can buy phone cards at post offices, news agents, dairies, and some pharmacies and petrol stations–-look for the Telecom Call Card signage.

Mobile Phones

Unless your phone is pre-3G, you should be able to use it abroad. There are two options: keep your existing SIM, and pay the roaming charges to your own service provider; roaming charges can be exorbitant. Or, get a prepaid SIM on arrival and buy a voice and/or data package, which can be added to. This will give you a local number, and you can make local calls at local rates.

The budget traveler's alternative is to use Skype, preferably on your resort's free Wi-Fi.

Major providers in Fiji are Vodafone and Digicel, both of whom have kiosks at Nadi Airport in the arrivals concourse where you can get a prepaid SIM for most of the common smartphone devices.

Contacts

Digicel Fiji. www.digicelfiji.com.

Vodafone. www.vodafone.com.fj/.