Telephone Services

Once your housing situation in Germany is finalized, the first thing to do is to get the phone ringing there. You'll discover that there is a wide selection of telephone, Internet and mobile options available, but you may also find that most German carriers are best equipped at serving their native, German-speaking population, leaving somewhat of a gap in the area of English-language support.

To break through the language barrier, consider contacting a provider that offers service in English. (See sidebars on TKS and USArcor for more information.)

German telephone service is also available through Telekom stores located in most towns and cities throughout the country. Your bills, correspondence and customer care will of course be in German. It's important to be aware of the terms and conditions of your service agreement. Many German phone and Internet plans are only available for example with a 2-year minimum, and also require that you cancel months in advance in order to avoid an automatic (and binding) contract extension.

Public telephones are also widely available however most of them are no longer coin operated; you will need a phone card. The cards are available in various denominations at post offices, filling stations, supermarkets, and most newsstands.

Phone services: Analog or ISDN

There are two general types of phone service in Germany: a "standard" analog phone service, and ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network). Each type of phone service has similar tariffs that allow you to choose the best plan for your type of use. Discounted domestic and international calling plans are available. Features such as caller-ID, call forwarding and voice-mail are standard features with most carriers. DSL is possible with either an analog or ISDN line enabling you to surf the web and use the phone at the same time

An analog phone connection is by far the most popular and easiest to use: you get one line and number; a standard 56K dial-up modem is used to access the web. Analog telephones, answering and fax machines from other countries can normally be used when coupled with a compatible German TAE (telephone jack) adapter. It is illegal to use most North American cordless telephone products in Germany because of the radio signal used by those devices. If you buy a cordless phone in Germany you'll be assured that it complies with local radio-frequency regulations and electrical safety guidelines. Also note that German cordless phones designated 'CT1' and 'CT2' can no longer be used as of 2009. It is often best to buy a cordless phone in Germany to be assured that it complies with radio-frequency regulations and electrical safety guidelines

ISDN phone service utilizes digital network technology to add more features and flexibility with two digital phone lines and a total of three different telephone numbers. This allows two separate phone conversations at the same time, which may be ideal for larger households or a home office that needs a dedicated line and number. On the other hand, the basic monthly fee is typically higher, and ISDN telephones and modems are somewhat more costly than their analog counterparts.

Before selecting either analog or ISDN, you may want to first check with the homeowner to find out how the house or apartment is wired and if there are any special requirements that could lead to additional costs. Many German homes only have only one telephone outlet! Cordless telephones or routers may be the best solution, offering the greatest flexibility in nearly any housing situation.

Details That Make a Difference

When registering for your telephone service, make sure that you know the complete address. It is very useful to the activation process if you provide the name and telephone number of your home's previous tenant when possible. Do request a fully itemized bill at the time of sign up as this is not always the default for many German service providers. Activation times can vary, taking between 5 to 14 business days. Your telephone number and date of activation will be confirmed in writing. (TKS can send your activation letter and monthly statements to your private email address.) In some cases a technician may require access to your home to activate your telephone and additional installation charges may apply. If you have several German TAE telephone outlets in your house, do not be surprised if only the single primary-outlet is activated. The internal wiring of your home is not part of the standard German service agreement and you may incur extra charges if requesting "additional installation." It is best to work with the property owner or have a private installer customize your home's wiring. Take the time to fully assess your requirements, and the costs, beforehand.

Phone bills are sent monthly and are typically due within seven business days of the date of issuance. Cash payments can usually be made at any German post office or bank, a nominal fee for the Überwiesung (bank transfer) may apply. The default and preferred payment method is to have your monthly bills automatically debited directly from your bank account through a Lastschriftverfahren.

Mobile phones

If you are going to be here in Germany for more than just a visit, look into German wireless service sooner than later - international roaming through your home carrier can be expensive. Germany has many mobile phone providers that offer a wide array of devices that are available both prepaid (pay-as-you-go) and with annual plans. Mobile Internet connectivity is also widely available, but be sure to find out the rates in advance, the best deal is usually available with an extra add-on web option. Inbound mobile calls while in Germany are free of charge. As a result, calling a mobile is more expensive than a landline since the caller pays for the cost of the connection, not the receiver. In Germany it is against the law to use a mobile phone while driving, be sure to use some sort of 'hands-free' device.

Internet Solutions

Dial-up:

Dial-up or "narrowband" Internet connectivity is extremely slow and inefficient, although it may still be a viable solution for very light or infrequent users. There is very little if any investment or start-up cost. All you need to get online is an active telephone line, a 56K modem which is still a standard built-in on even the newest computers, and an Internet access account. Your Internet account consists of a username, password, and a telephone number as issued by your Internet service provider (ISP). Dial-up in Germany is always metered on a time basis, a dial-up flat rate is not available. Plans are available with a monthly fee that include a defined amount of minutes or hours every month, unused time is usually not carried over. There are also plans without monthly fees but the per-minute price is typically a little higher. Dial-up over an ISDN phone line is somewhat faster than with a standard phone line, but do require the use of a compatible ISDN modem.

Broadband:

If you know that dial-up is not for you, then one of several high-speed DSL plans can be considered, with download speeds of between 1000 and 6000 Kbps being the most common and readily available in most areas. Germany's DSL network is under constant improvement and expansion, however there are still some places where DSL may not be technically feasible. If broadband connectivity is an essential part of your work or private life, check the availability before buying or renting a home.

Unlike dial-up, DSL is available with a flat rate. Therefore you can leave the service "always-on" as the separate connection leaves the phone line free for calls. Required hardware includes a Germany compatible "Annex-B" DSL modem, Annex-A modems from the USA and UK are not compatible. A separate DSL activation charge normally also applies however many telcos nowadays do offer package deals with activation and hardware discounts but normally only in combination with a service contract of 1-2 years in duration.

Internet on the Go:

Internet access does not have to be restricted to your home. Germany has Internet cafes and thousands of wireless Internet "hotspots" many of them free-of-charge. Aside from airport terminals, hotspots are also available at hotels, gas stations, bars and restaurants. Locations are always subject to change, so do a web search to find a current list of locations near you. WLAN enabled laptops and mobile phones can be used.

Important Details:

Choosing the right service provider and Internet plan is important. Many of the Internet "bargains" that you see advertised may have some major drawbacks if you read the German "fine print." Some providers bundle flat rate DSL along with phone service, but many then charge more for phone calls for example. Pre-selecting an alternate carrier and using calling-cards may not be possible. Package deals with free hardware and activation can save you money but most require a two year minimum contract, early cancellation fees do apply. Before signing on the dotted line, do check the terms and conditions and find out the costs for early cancellation. Look for plans that are flexible and find out if there is any English documentation or technical support.

Given the constantly changing nature of the telecommunications marketplace, pinning down and recommending the exact Internet plan for every type of user at any given time is not possible. However TKS is one place to start for English-speakers here in Germany. TKS's step-by-step English setup guides and equipment manuals along with an English call-in technical support center can be a real advantage. So to establish your connection to the worldwide web here in Germany, first try to define your household's Internet and budgetary requirements, and then look for an Internet service that is easy to use and compatible with your particular needs.

Visit our Telephone & Internet Services Storefronts!