Phone and Internet Providers in Germany: Which Company Should You Go For? 

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Courtesy of its highly developed telecommunications network and the extensively available access to the internet staying connected in Germany isn’t something that will trouble you. However, the European nation is placed at the 44th spot in the world, with the median broadband download speed at 69.52 Mbps.

This may not be a good speed, considering a small nation like Monaco has a speed of 192.68 Mbps–the quickest across the globe.

Besides the slow internet, nearly all public WiFi networks are subjected to strong set of laws. Hence, if you are in Germany, don’t depend on free internet access, but get internet on your personal mobile gadget, through either a 4G or 5G provider.

Cell Phone Contract or Prepaid SIM?

As with the majority of the nations in the world, expats in Germany who want to communicate with friends and family have the choice between taking out a contract (Handyvertrag) or simply purchasing a prepaid SIM card.

Contracts are incredibly popular in the European nation as it comes loaded with many advantages, including access to 5G, receiving an optional new phone at the same time, and having the choice of bigger and better data plans.

Several mobile operators now also provide flexible, pay-as-you-go plans, where customers who frequently top up their prepaid SIM cards get free texts, calls and data. You should be checking WinSim* as a provider – they have been proven to be reliable and are one of the cheaper providers as well.

 

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Mobile phone contracts in the country are typically binding for two years and the monthly fee gets deducted from your bank account through direct debit.

One can use various comparison sites like Check24, Verivox or TarifCheck to search and compare the best providers, according to your personal requirements.

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How much do you have to pay for an internet connection?

An internet connection is a vital part of your cost of living in the overseas hotspot. An internet contract may cost you just EUR 13.99 every month for a cable connection that has a maximum speed of 20 Mbit/s download and a maximum speed of 2.5 Mbit/s upload.

The finest internet providers

They are usually the big national players in the industry, such as Telekom, Vodafone, and 1&1. Although some regions in the nation might have local internet providers, since they are very region-specific, and aren’t, at all times, obtainable in every city or suburban area, it’s better to go for the big names.

Talking of well-known international names, Vodafone is the biggest cable internet provider in the country and provides the fastest cable internet service, with a maximum speed of 1000 Mbit/s. In the past years, it has expanded its cable network in the nation considerably, making them the chief owner of this network.

However, as per the latest comprehensive study across the entire country, Telekom offers the best coverage for DSL internet connection and it’s the finest mobile network provider in Germany for internet and phone reception, on the parameters of availability, performance, and consistency.

But if you talk about the cost, easy is the cheapest cable internet provider in the nation. If we talk about the Best DSL internet provider minus a contract, it’s 1&1.

Since we are on the topic of the Internet, let’s briefly take a look at Vpn Services and how to access OTTs

What is a VPN?

VPN (Virtual Private Network) services can be used in Germany to encrypt internet traffic and hide a user’s IP address and location. This can be useful for protecting the privacy and bypassing internet censorship. To use a VPN service in Germany, the user would need to sign up for a VPN service provider like NordVPN or SurfShark and then download and install the VPN software on their device. Once the VPN is set up, the user can connect to a VPN server located in another country, which will allow them to access websites and services that may be blocked in Germany. A few FAQs on the topic:

 

  1. Is it legal to use a VPN in Germany? Yes, it is legal to use a VPN in Germany.
  2. Do I need a special VPN for Germany? No, you do not need a special VPN for Germany. Any VPN service that has servers in other countries, Such as NordVPN , SurfShark or Proton work in Germany.
  3. Can I get in trouble for using a VPN in Germany? No, you should not get in trouble for using a VPN in Germany as long as you are not using it for illegal activities.
  4. Can I access geo-restricted content in Germany with a VPN? Yes, a VPN can allow you to access geo-restricted content by connecting to a server located in a country where the content is available.
  5. Can I use free VPN services in Germany? Yes, you can use free VPN services in Germany, but it is important to be aware of the risks associated with free VPNs, such as lack of privacy protection, and possible data collection or sharing. Keep in mind free VPN services are generally slow and not secure. It’s always better and more secure to use a subscription-based provider.
  6. Can I use any VPN service in Germany? You can use any VPN service that has servers in other countries to use in Germany, but it’s best to make sure the VPN service is reputable and that it complies with German data protection laws.

DSL Or Cable Internet Connection?

A DSL internet connection runs through your copper telephone lines. A cable connection uses your TV cable lines to connect to the internet. The cost for DSL and cable connections doesn’t vary that much.

For a long time, DSL was regarded as the finest internet connection in the market. DSL is still the most accepted internet connection in the nation as it continues to be the most obtainable choice for internet access in the nation.

Which German Mobile Carrier Should You select?

Choose your service provider on the basis of where you stay and spend the most time in the country. As mentioned earlier, in spite of the incredibly high living standards and amazing infrastructure in Germany, the internet and mobile reception are somewhat weak. Particularly in the rural areas, don’t be taken aback if you fail to have a reception at all.

Recommendations

A  few recommendations from our side, for various services related to this topic.

-Popular comparison sites you can use for cellphone contracts, Mobile phone tariffs or even Broadband providers are Check24, Verivox , TarifCheck or  Sparhandy.de*

-For buying and selling refurbished, sustainable devices trusted providers are CleverBuy or AsGoodasNew.

-If you looking to get your expensive Mobile phones insured, then you could use the services of FriendSurance

– If you need your prepaid number to be topped up then you could utilise the services of UtransTo

 

5 Parameters to Choose the Best Mobile Phone Contract

If we talk about the parameters on the basis of which you should base your decision, well, these are the 5 such parameters:

1. Talk Time & Text Messages

Today, nearly all contracts provide unlimited calls and text messages incorporated in your contract (FLAT in German).

2. Internet Data and Speed

Internet Data packages typically begin with 1GB. The finest mobile network in the nation for the internet depends on where you live. Although 5G is the quickest network available, you will get it only in some specific areas of the country.

3. Period of Contract

The majority of mobile contracts are valid for a period of two years. After that, you may terminate them with an advance one-month notice.

4. Network

You will still find the old terms of D-Netz and E-Netz used by providers. While the D1 network refers to Telekom, D2 refers to Vodafone and E-network to O2.

5. Phone Number

Some specific providers give you the option to choose your own specific number. In case you had a German number earlier, you can also opt to carry it over to your new service provider. Some firms even provide a bonus for this service.

Steps for Setting up WiFi

Step 1: Select a service provider

The first step to setting up WiFi in the country is to choose your service provider. Numerous options are available and the right one depends somewhat on the kind of level of service you require.

When it comes to choosing a WiFi provider, check out a comparison website to know if the service providers can enable WiFi at your address.

Step 2: Complete your contract

Post you’ve decided your provider, go through all the essential steps to complete it.

Step 3: Fix an appointment far in advance

Plan an appointment. Sadly, it may take several months to set up your WiFi. Hence, if you need WiFi earlier, get a hotspot such as through Vodafone in the period in between.

Step 4: Complete your WiFi set-up post that appointment

Post the technician has enabled WiFi at your address; you require setting up your router separately yourself. Typically, the technicians won’t assist you. Hence, learn German for this, because your WiFi provider, in all likelihood, will only send you the instructions in the local German language in your router box. Read those instructions and then your WiFi will be up and running.

Final Thoughts

Broadband speed isn’t very good in Germany,at least currently. Besides–post an appointment with your technician–you may have to wait for many months to set up your WiFi in the country. But the good news is that you will find numerous well-known international names in the industry, including Telekom, Vodafone, O2, and 1&1. Besides, an internet contract in the country may be as cheap as EUR 13.99 every month for a cable connection.

Disclaimer

This article might contain some affiliated links, where we earn anywhere from a few cents to a few Euros,and don’t cost you an extra cent. Our recommendations remain unbiased although, and are based on a combination of market research and own experience.

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