Many of Mauritania's post offices have telephone or telegraph services; by 2001 there were about 26,500 mainline telephones in use and about 35,000 cellular phones. There are direct telephone communications from Nouakchott to Paris. Administrative contact within the country is maintained by radiotelephone. Two earth-satellite stations came into service in 1985–86.
The government-owned national radio and television networks broadcast in French, Arabic, and several African languages. In 2001 there were 1 AM and 14 FM radio stations, with 1 television station reported in 2002. Residents with satellite receivers and dish antennas receive television broadcasts from Franc and other Arab countries. Telecasts are in French and Arabic. In 2000, there were about 149 radios and 96 television sets for every 1,000 people. In 2001, five Internet service providers were serving 7,500 users.
In 2001 there were about 25 privately owned newspapers with a publication regular schedule, usually weekly. A governmentoperated daily, Ach Chabb, is published in French and Arabic.
The constitution provides for freedom of speech and the press; however, by law copies of every newspaper must be submitted to the Ministries of Interior and Justice for approval before distribution.
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