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Americans In Leipzig cellphone guide
UNDER CONSTRUCTION AS WE SPEAK!!
Research by Bob, the Americans In Leipzig Tech Guru
- The Differences
- The Options:
In Germany, it seems that everyone has a "Handy". Why do Germans call a cellphone a "Handy"? They think that's what Americans call it!
Unfortunately, only a few cellphones that are in use in the US and Canada will work in Germany. You might be lucky and have one, but even if you don't, there are some options for you if you think you need to have one at your disposal while you're there.
There is a good overview of cellphone issues available on The German Way website.
The Differences
In North America, there are a variety of competing standards for cell phones. While Germany - and continental Europe - has a single standard, called GSM, there are still variations of the standard that make some phones incompatible with some networks.
GSM in Germany
GSM in Germany operates on two different frequencies: 1800 Mhz and 900 Mhz. 1800 Mhz is the newer of the two services. Some phones may cover one band and not the other, or cover both (or neither!).
GSM Networks
- 1800 Mhz:
- E-Plus:
- handset displays "E-plus", solid nationwide coverage. Cust. svc. # (49) 211-448-1000
- VIAG:
- handset displays "Interkom", spotty coverage. Cust svc. # (49) 175-55-222
- 900 Mhz:
- T-Mobile:
- handset displays "D1-Telekom", nationwide coverage, almost as wide as E-plus. (49) 180-330-2002
- Vodadone:
- handset displays "D2", nationwide coverage, more than T-Mobile. (49)-172-1212
An American Phone in Deutschland
Cellular service providers in the US seem to not want to mention what cellular standard they are using, or on what frequency. It is quite a confusing matter. There are three major companies in the US providing GSM service: Cingular, T-Mobile (formerly VoiceStream), and AT&T. Of these, only T-Mobile is 100% GSM; both Cingular and AT&T have an older TDMA network but are moving everything towards GSM. For other GSM carriers, see this list of every GSM network in the world (it's a long list!).So, if you are a Cingular or AT&T customer you might be using GSM. The easiest thing to do would be to find out what kind of phone you have, and look it up on the net. Look that it is GSM compatible and what frequency it runs on. An extensive list can be found here: select 'mobile phones' at the top of the page, then browse by phone manufacturer. [Note about his site: on my browser, or maybe his site, the table columns don't line up -- click on your phone model to go to the right link, don't trust the text in the right hand column!]
Here are the steps to take if you have a phone that's capable of using the European-GSM networks:
- T-Mobile:
- The "T" in T-Mobile stands for Telekom - T-Mobile is on offshoot of Deutsche Telekom, the German equivalent of AT&T. So you'd expect that they'd offer a plan that works easily in Germany! Call up T-Mobile and have "World Class" activated. There is no installation fee or monthly fee. This allows you to roam on either 2 or 4 GSM networks (2 each for 900 mhz and 1800 mhz phone, 4 for a phone that has both). The cost is $.99/min, any time, to anywhere. (no long distance charges) [SMS cost? still looking for info]. Do dial while internationally roaming to the US, dial the '+' key, country code (US=1 isn't that funny?) then the phone #. How to get the + varies from phone to phone:
- Nokia - press (*) key twice in rapid succession.
- Ericsson - press and hold the 0 key until the (+) sign appears.
- Motorola - press and hold the 0 key until the (+) sign appears.
- Bosch - press and hold the (*) key until the (+) sign appears.
- Samsung - press and hold the 0 key until the (+) sign appears.
- The "T" in T-Mobile stands for Telekom - T-Mobile is on offshoot of Deutsche Telekom, the German equivalent of AT&T. So you'd expect that they'd offer a plan that works easily in Germany! Call up T-Mobile and have "World Class" activated. There is no installation fee or monthly fee. This allows you to roam on either 2 or 4 GSM networks (2 each for 900 mhz and 1800 mhz phone, 4 for a phone that has both). The cost is $.99/min, any time, to anywhere. (no long distance charges) [SMS cost? still looking for info]. Do dial while internationally roaming to the US, dial the '+' key, country code (US=1 isn't that funny?) then the phone #. How to get the + varies from phone to phone:
- AT&T:
- "WordConnect" service - special GSM card, $7.99/mo plus $25 one-time fee for the card. $.99 per min incoming or outgoing, PLUS international long distance rate, which is $.35 for Germany. [More Info]
- Cingular:
- Call CellHire at 888-376-7499 (not affiliated with Cingular)
Some related reading:
Revenge of the SIMS
For travellers such as us Treffeners, a prepaid SIM may be the most logical choice if we don't already have a GSM phone. There are a number of options available for prepaid. Swisscom makes a rather interesting product that is usable in many countries, doesn't have any expiration date, and doesn't charge a monthly fee. Incoming SMS is free. The problem is, the per minute charge is higher than country-specific cards. Planetomni has the Swisscom card with a talk time of 80 minutes incoming / 40 minutes outgoing for $89.95, and a 1000 unit 'recharge' of this card of 100 minutes incoming/ 50 minutes outgoing for $99.95. Read the fine print on the above URL so you know the charges involved. There are cards available on E-Bay, and this seller has many of the Prepaid Swisscom cards with 300 units starting at $50 (30 minutes incoming, 15 minutes outgoing), with a $67 buy-it-now.
A prepaid SIM for Germany only is better if you are going to be making a lot of calls. One advantage with this card is that all incoming calls are free, regardless of their origination. Calls are considerably cheaper, is little as $.07, and you get a german phone number. However the card itself is $80 and that includes your first 25 DM of credits. Card can be recharged over the air with a credit card. Here is the same thing for $63.95 and here for $60. Hrm, it seems as though the euros get better prices: here is a bunch of offers for 40€, and one for 30!
PrePaid brand-names in Germany:
- D1 (Tmobile) = Xtra
- D2 (vodafone) = CallYa
- E-Plus = Free & Easy
- VIAG Interkom = Loop
It's only a rental...
phone-rental info coming
