Europe Travel Guides

Communication

Telephone overview

Deutsche Telekom - Germany's one-time state controlled telephone monopoly - has been privatised and forced to swim alongside other phone companies in the race for the consumer's eurocents. Call costs have in turn come down and the range of services on offer make the German market very user friendly.

Be prepared to buy phone cards if you anticipate using phone booths, as many now do not take coins. Cards can be purchased in post offices, TKS Shops, Telefonladens, Internet cafes and various newsstands and stationery stores.

Telephone adaptors

The German phone adaptor has an off-balance arrow shape with a small fork protruding from one edge. Older adaptors are being phased out as the North American RJ-11 adaptor grows in use.

Mobile phones overview

The GSM 900/1800 system is the network standard for Germany; it is not compatible with North American or Japanese systems, with a few exceptions. The NMT system, which runs at 450Mhz can still be found in some areas of Germany. GSM coverage by all major carriers is comprehensive; a daunting array of choices is available when it comes to hand-sets, long and short term contracts, SIM cards and pre-paid cards.

Driving while using a mobile phone without a 'hands-free' kit is against the law in Germany.

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