Utilities and communication

Television

Watching cable TV will mean you will have to pay a subscription for your choice of channels. Or alternatively you can get a satellite dish and subscribe to the channels you that you want. Digital TV is another option; you can get a free digital decoder and pay a subscription at most good electrical stores, however you will still need an aerial for this option.

Owning and using a TV in the UK requires you to get a TV license, it will cost £36.50 GBP for a black and white and £109 GBP for a colour. These are annual charges.

Electricity

It is always best to read any meters the day you move in and then to find out from your landlord or estate agent who the providers are of the gas, electricity and water as you have many companies which provide you this sevice. If you decide to stay with the same one, you'll need to open an account in your name. Alternatively you may want to shop around for better deals. Your bills for gas and electricity will arrive quarterly and can be paid by direct debit or as they arrive.

Water will usually cost around £260 GBP annually but this should be the responsibility of the landlord in rented accommodation.

Driving System

A valid license from any EEA country is allowed in the UK for as long as the license remains valid. Driving is on the left hand side of the road.

Providing your full license remains valid even if you are from a country outside the European Economic Area you will be allowed to drive any category of small vehicle for up to a period of 12 months from entering and becoming a resident in the UK. Within those 12 months a provisional GB license must have been acquired and a driving test(s) passed. Whilst you are driving on the provisional license, you will not be subject to the usual conditions, i.e. displaying "L" plates, needing a qualified driver in the car with you , and not being allowed on motorways. If you should not pass a test within the 12 months then provisional license holder rules will apply.

Phoning

You we see that traditional red phone boxes still exist in most cities, streets, and conservation areas, but they are quickly being replaced by less attractive glass cubicles. In all phone boxes calls cost a minimum of 20p. Public phone boxes accept coins and often credit cards as well.

Codes or numbers starting with 0500 or 0800 are free, 0845 is local call rate, 0870 is national call rate and 089lor 0906 is premium rate. Codes for mobile phone usually start with 07 and are obviously more expensive to call than landlines.

To call the operator you need to dial 100 and for reverse charge (collect) calls, dial 155 for the international operator.

Mobile Phones

It is simple to acquire a mobile phone in the UK. There are 4 mobile phone companies: Orange, Vodaphone, O2 and Virgin. They are selling them in every high street.

There are different package plans including being able to sign up for a year. GSM coverage is comprehensiveAcross the six main providers in England, though this system is not compatible with the North American GSM 1900 or the totally different system in Japan (though many North Americans have GSM 1900/900 phones that do work in England- check with your provider). High competition means users have a wealth of choices in the UK though charges are relatively high compared to other European countries. You can also rent a phone from various companies from around £20.00 per week, depending on the hire period. In this case, however, you can't use your existing number.

Home phones and internet

There are analogue and digital phone lines in the UK. BT (British Telecom) uses the analogue system mainly, unless you install an ISDN line which is digital. In some areas it is possible to get an even faster line - the ADSL line.

Broadband internet access is slowly arriving however it is not available in all areas. There are many cable network companies that will also install digital phone lines, along with cable TV.