Discovering Germany

Page 22

Discovering Germany

Public Telephones

Most of the public telephones require the use of a telephone card (

Telefonkarte

), but a few

still accept coins. Telephone cards are sold at post offices, in newspaper and tobacco shops,

and in supermarkets.

Telephone Directories

Telephone directories are provided free of charge from Deutsche Telekom when a telephone

connection is installed. A local edition and the yellow pages (

Gelbe Seite

n) are also

provided.

Telekom Directory Enquiry Numbers:



National:

11 8 33 – only German speakers



International: 11 8 34 – English and other languages

Mobile

There are many major networks offering different packages and services. The selection

should be made carefully focusing on the needs of the user.



(Deutsche Telekom Mobile Net)

– www.t-mobile.de



(Vodafone Net)

– www.vodafone.de



– www.o2online.de



1 und 1

–

www.1und1.de

Please note that for mobile phones, it is also highly recommended to choose a package

suited to individual needs. Many of the less expensive offers are minimum two-year

contracts with no termination possible during the minimum time period or paying a

considerable compensation payment to terminate the contract. In some instances, you have

to pay the full amount due until the end of the contract in a lump sum to get out of the

contract.

Television

Cable is provided through a variety of regional cable companies. Many companies only

service certain areas so be sure to check availability in your new home. Kabel Deutschland

is the most common way to receive basic, German television channels and it is a nationally

available provider. Depending on your location and service provider, there may be packages

available that include other services like internet and additional language channels.

Unitymedia and Kabel BW are also recommended.

To receive programs in other languages, satellites are also common. Sky Deutschland, or

just Sky, is the most commonly purchased satellite provider and has a wide variety of

channels in numerous languages.

Due to the increasing popularity of online-based television, you will also find that streaming

television via internet is feasible option.