You have the right to one phone call when arrested - A Hollywood myth?

Question

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According to Cracked.com the "one phone call" rule is a Hollywood invention. They base this on the information this attorney gives:

The one phone call is another one of the urban myths. You may or may not be permitted to use the phone. Generally, out of courtesy they will allow you to make one phone call. Often there are phones in the jail, and people can make as many phone calls as they want as long as there is somebody to accept collect charges.

Also heard in movies and TV-shows is the Miranda Warning (which is real):

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense.

It stands to reason that if "you have the right to speak to an attorney", you should be provided with the means to do so (e.g a phone call).

And according to this it is indeed so:

An arrested person has the right, immediately after booking and, except when physically impossible, no later than three (3) hours after arrest, to make at least three (3) completed telephone calls. The calls are to be free if completed in the local calling area, and are at the arrestee's expense if outside the local area. The calls must be allowed immediately on request, or as soon as practicable.

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From what I can gather the "one phone call" is not a myth perpetrated by Hollywood, but indeed a right.

So what's the truth?

And what's the "phone call" policy in other countries? Do their 'Miranda' rights include a free phone call?

Just to clarify:
I merely mention the Miranda Warning because I'm speculating the 'phone call' rule might derive from there. But my question is not about Miranda, it's about whether or not the law actually grants you the right to a phone call.

Answer 1

In England and Wales, arrested persons have the right to:

have one person known to them or likely to take an interest in their welfare informed at public expense of their whereabouts as soon as practicable.

(Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act 1984 - Code of Practice C, paragraph 5.1)

They also have the right, usually, to:

telephone one person for a reasonable time

(paragraph 5.6)

PACE also gives the conditions in which the police are allowed to refuse the telephone call.

This is separate to, and in addition to the right to contact a solicitor, which will also be in the PACE codes of practice.

(This is a partial answer to your second question, "And what's the "phone call" policy in other countries?", rather than a real answer to the main question. I would have added it as a comment instead of an answer, but I don't think I can make comments, as a new user.)