Direct dialing. You can direct dial to the United States, Western and Eastern Europe from many homes and offices. Dial "8", wait for second dial tone and then dial "10", the country code and telephone number. Here are some international codes from St. Petersburg:

To make an international call, dial "8", wait for tone, dial "10", code of country, code of city and number. Get the city code or information on number dialing by calling 274-93-83 or 057 from 8 to 22.

Note that you can not access the toll-free MCI and Sprint Express numbers in Helsinki from St. Petersburg.

AT&T Direct access dialing has arrived in St. Petersburg. Direct dialing is still somewhat of an ordeal with "no rings," busy signals, and lost connections. Try these other methods.

1. Order a Call in Advance. The traditional way to place an international call was to order a call in advance. You can order an international call for a specific time and date up to two days in advance. You must give them the number you will be at the time but you can change it before the call is placed.

To call home from a private phone or business, you can place a reservation with the overseas operator after 9 am, up to two days in advance. Dial 315-00-12 and ask for an English speaking operator. Explain that you want to place an international call, and when you want to call . They will tell you dates and times available. Give the number you are calling and the number you will be at the time of the call. (Note you are reserving a time slot and can change both numbers before the call is placed). You will be called back when the call goes through.

In a hotel, the operator or service bureau will assist you in ordering a call, but you may still have to wait. Book in advance for calls in rubles. In other hotels, they have direct dial via satellite. This is expensive.

2. Place a Direct Call at the Telephone Station. Try going to the "long-distance and international communication point" at Gertsena ul., 3/5, daily from 9-17 to place a call directly. Expect to wait in line & pay rubles. Or go to the Delta Telecom office.

3. Place an Immediate Direct Call by Satellite and by Leased Lines. For immediate calls via satellite, go to one of the BUSINESS CENTERS, Delta Telecom, Telecommunication Services or a hotel that lists "phone or satellite phone". It costs between $3-10 per minute, but it is quick and clear.

4. Subscribe to your own International Access Service. Several firms listed under CELLULAR PHONES AND MOBILE RADIO COMMUNICATION provide the instant access to international lines from your office, home phone, or even car. These are ideal for business & industries that want their own instant access to international lines. Prices are reasonable and competitive, especially to the USA.

Telephone Company Tariffs: The costs of regular calls has run up rapidly, but it remains remarkably low to many countries, but not to the United States. Ordinary telephone company tariffs are lowest from homes and state financed organizations. Ordered calls and offices are charged about twice the home rate, so direct dial from your home if your can. The latest price rates are available from 315-00-12.

Direct Dial Country Evening 18-8 Daytime 8-18 Operator Assisted USA,Canada & Israel 756 1512 2268 Europe 378 756 1134 Australia 756 1512 2268 Indonesia, Turkey 567 1512 1701