Telephones

To place a call from your home country to Malaysia: Dial the international access code (011 in the U.S. and Canada; 0011 in Australia; or 00 in the U.K., Ireland, and New Zealand), plus the country code (60), plus the Malaysia area code (Cameron Highlands 5, Desaru 7, Genting Highlands 9, Johor Bahru 7, Kuala Lumpur 3, Kuala Terengganu 9, Kota Bharu 9, Kota Kinabalu 88, Kuantan 9, Kuching 82, Langkawi 4, Melaka 6, Mersing 7, Penang 4, Tioman 9), followed by the six-, seven-, or eight-digit phone number (for example, from the U.S. to Kuala Lumpur, you'd dial 011-60-3/0000-0000).

The nation's fixed telephone provider, Telekom Malaysia, also provides International Direct Dialing (IDD) services from most hotels.

To place a direct international call from Malaysia: Dial the international access code (00), plus the country code of the place you are dialing (U.S. and Canada 1, Australia 61, Republic of Ireland 353, New Zealand 64, U.K. 44), plus the area/city code and the residential number.

To reach the international operator: Dial tel. 108.

Prepaid international calling cards are available from a number of companies and can be purchased at most convenience stores. Be warned that not all phones accept all cards -- most likely card-operated phones are located next to the shops that sell corresponding cards.

With widespread mobile phone usage, coin-operated phones are becoming a scarcity. If you find one, local calls are charged at 10 sen for 3 minutes.

Mobile Phones

Cellular telephone services are provided by Celcom, DiGi, Maxis, and Telekom Cellular. Celcom (tel. 1300/111-000; www.celcom.com.my) sells a Malaysia prepaid SIM card that can be used with an international cellular phone that assigns a local telephone number, allows free incoming calls, and provides a local rate for local calls. It can be obtained before you travel via Telestial (tel. 800/707-0031 in the U.S., 800/795-252 in Australia; www.telestial.com), with courier delivery. Telestial also rents cellphones.

In KL, visit Celcom at Levels 1 & 2, Podium Block Menara Naluri, 161B Jalan Ampang (not far from the Malaysia Tourism Centre), or at KL International Airport in the International Arrival Hall, Level 3, in the Main Terminal Building. Stored-value cards can be topped up at convenience stores, gas stations, and Celcom outlets throughout the country.

Internet & Wi-Fi

Most hotels in Malaysia offer Internet connectivity; in hotels, most often you'll find broadband Internet in-room and Wi-Fi (wireless Internet) access in the public areas of the hotel, but recently some hotels have added Wi-Fi access in-room. Airports and coffee shops (like Starbucks) often have Wi-Fi hotspots as well. In general, Internet is available to most of the nation, and I have found Internet cafes in the most surprising remote places. However, with more people carrying laptops and smartphones, Internet cafes are going out of style, but they can still be found in areas frequented by travelers. Internet cafes tend to open, close, or move frequently, so wherever you are, your best bet is to ask your concierge or the local tourism information office for the best places close by. Usage costs only about RM5 to RM10 per hour.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.