Norway - Communications
International dialing code for Norway is +47.
For non-emergency calls and harbour contact, Telenor (Maritim Radio) keeps a list of the VHF working channels for all coast radio stations at: http://kystradio.no/privat/kystradio/vaare-kystradiostasjoner/
Mobile phones are the preferred method of communication between boats.
Telephone Services
The dominating phone system is GSM mobile, which covers 99% of the landmass. Conventional telephone also has near 100% coverage, but the usage of public telephone booths is falling as mobile takes over.
Mobile Phones
A prepaid Norway SIM card with an international cell phone is the most convenient and economical solution with all incoming calls in Norway are FREE, regardless of where they originate. The Norway SIM card provides service across Norway through domestic roaming. Pay the local rate for local calls and use a cellular phone in Norway.
Internet
Most of the country is covered by broadband internet, including sparsely populated remote regions.
In the cities it is generally possible to locate a WiFi hotspot or an internet café. WiFi access is also common in hotels, railway stations, on trains, ferries and increasingly in the harbours. In more remote spots actual access may prove more cumbersome; it may be necessary (and rarely difficult) to ask for a loan of a private connection in cafés or shops.
FM Radio
From 2017 Norway is ceasing to broadcast on FM radio. Digital radio only will be broadcast in future.
Last updated January 2017.
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No one needs to take a test before or after entering Norway. The info on here is dated.
Thanks for letting us know Steve – really helpful. Yes I see rules changed last week and we’ve updated the biosecurity section accordingly.
The best pilot guide we used was, in fact, an app downloaded to our iPad and phone: https://www.harbourguide.com.
Norway is very capable when it comes to gas refilling. We found that our existing UK Calor bottles could be refilled with Propane by a professional for the same or less than in the UK. We did not have to buy a Norwegian bottle.
Rorvik and Harstad are where we filled our bottles but it seems like you can do it in most major towns. This site is useful: https://www.mylpg.eu/stations/norway/
To be more precise phasing out is a process as I have explained here: http://59nord.pl/en/radio-2/
It will be finished at the and of the current year, so there is still a good chance that this season visitors to Norway may be able to use their FM receivers.
When it comes to weather forecasts I have elaborated on that here: http://59nord.pl/en/weather-forcast-on-nrk-radio/ and here: http://59nord.pl/en/marine-radio-weather-forecast/
I want to highlight that Norwegian radio has shut down their FM senders from 2017 and the only way to access public radio is by having Dab+ in your boat as this is the only transmission remaining.
To access weather, check VHF Ch 16 where they inform which working channel they will broadcast the weather every day at 9:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 21:00 local time.
Being Norwegian, I would like to expand on your statement about all shoreline being private (Restrictions section).
Few countries, if any, give a sailor better access than Norway. The public intention is to keep all shoreline within 100m open to the public. Deviations from this rule are unfortunately many. Some because of existing buildings when the law was passed, some because of too good lawyers. But the general rule is that you can freely use the shoreline.
You can anchor outside the private property. You can take your dinghy ashore anywhere that is not obviously private. You can spend the day at the shore, collect firewood, and pick berries. All this without asking anybody for permission.
Any “private” signs are most often illegal. With exceptions for the densely populated southeastern part of Norway, the vast majority of the shoreline is free to use.