Mobile Phones
How to choose the network
Mobile phones in Austria are usually called Handys. Mobile phone use is high. You can use your Handy wherever you like, even in the Vienna Metro you will have a good signal.
There are many providers in Austria (quite likely more than you would expect in such a small country):
- A1: The formerly state owned mobile provider. It is said that they still offer the best coverage and good quality service. However – if you have to call their agents, be prepared for a long wait on hold.
- Orange: The second largest mobile network provider. Orange claims to offer best voice quality and has special offers for european roaming services.
- Tele-ring: The discount provider. Almost bankrupt but they are aggressively attacking the bigger providers.
- T-Mobile: Former max.mobil has good network coverage and cheap prices. Many Austrians use this network.
- 3: This is the company Hutchinson. They are pursuing the multimedia approach and sell only UMTS handsets. Rates within the 3 network are very cheap, but calling to other networks can be costly. Check the details of your contract!
- Yesss: The newest discount provider has caused a lot of turmoil by giving hints on their website how to unlock your SIM card and use their service. Good rates but (as it is said) bad service when you need their assistance.
So which provider should you choose?
This is a tricky one. Not only do you have to choose a provider, but also a contract type – and differences are huge. Best approach is to estimate your calling habits and look around what your friends have. If you have just 3 buddies and they all have the same provider – go for it and then you can benefit from low (or even free) rates within the network. It is very easy to know your friend’s provider: just look at their number prefix, as this indicates the provider.
Handsets ( Handys) are very cheap or even for free if you make a contract. For pre-paid cards you have to pay around €25 for an average handset and get the same amount as calling bonus on top. However, pre-paid rates are much higher compared to contracts.
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Also in this section
- Calling: How to make a phonecall in Austria
- Getting a phone line: How to get a fixed line at home
- Mobile Phones: How to choose the network
- Phone books: All Austrian numbers at your fingertips
- Important numbers: Emergency telephone numbers
- Calling cards: How to save money on international calls
- Choosing: Choosing a prepaid calling card
- How to use: Using an international phone card
- Internet access: Getting connected in Austria
- Internet cafés: Where to get a access in public
- UMTS access: High speed mobile access – but expensive
Comments from other users
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Oops
Prefix tells you nothing about what network your friends use. Many Austrian residents take advantage of the possibility to keep your old number when switching providers. If you want to know what network they are using, your best bet is simply asking them (in the case of a ported number, you will sometimes hear an announcement when calling them, but AFAIK it's possible to turn this off).Thank you. Your comment will be published once it has been approved by the moderators.
