Antarctica:
Communications & Transportation

Antarctica Page

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Other pages in this profile of Antarctica:
Geography, People, Government, Economy, Military & Transnational Issues.


Telephones - main lines in use	Definition - World rank and map 0; note - information for US bases only (2001)
Telephones - main lines in use per 1,000 people	Definition - World rank and map 0 (2001)
Telephone system	Definition general assessment: local systems at some research stations domestic: commercial cellular networks operating in a small number of locations international: country code - none allocated; via satellite (including mobile Inmarsat and Iridium systems) to and from all research stations, ships, aircraft, and most field parties (2007)
Radio broadcast stations	Definition FM 2, shortwave 1 (information for US bases only); note - many research stations have a local FM radio station (2007)
Television broadcast stations	Definition 1 (cable system with 6 channels; American Forces Antarctic Network-McMurdo - information for US bases only) (2002)
Internet country code	Definition .aq
Internet hosts	Definition - World rank and map 7,744 (2007)

Airports	Definition - World rank and map 27 (2008)
Airports - with unpaved runways	Definition total: 27 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 6 (2008)
Heliports	Definition 53 note: all year-round and seasonal stations operated by National Antarctic Programs stations have some kind of helicopter landing facilities, prepared (helipads) or unprepared (2007)
Ports and terminals	Definition there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), and Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent; relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states parties to the Antarctic Treaty regulating access to the Antarctic Treaty area, to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees of latitude south, have to be complied with (see "Legal System"); The Hydrographic Committee on Antarctica (HCA), a special hydrographic commission of International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), is responsible for hydrographic surveying and nautical charting matters in Antarctic Treaty area; it coordinates and facilitates provision of accurate and appropriate charts and other aids to navigation in support of safety of navigation in region; membership of HCA is open to any IHO Member State whose government has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty and which contributes resources and/or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area; members of HCA are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, NZ, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, UK, and US (2007)