Establishing phone service is becoming less important as more and more people rely on mobile phones. However, setting up a landline is usually simple and may be included with internet/TV package. There is a wide selection of telephone options.

Installation

To have a domestic landline telephone installed, connected or reconnected visit a T-Home customer services shop. These are called T-Punkt and there are many branches within the city. To locate the closest, use the T-Punkt site or call 0800 330 1000.

To set up a new account the following documents are needed:
• Proof of identification
• Proof of address (polizeiliche Anmeldung)
• Bank details to set-up a regular payment facility

There is a fixed connection fee for a new telephone connection. There are options for free weekend and evening calls or for fixed rates on local calls for up to one hour. Telephone bills are invoiced monthly and must be paid within seven days. It is possible to set up a direct debit (Lastschrift) to make regular payments. Alternatively, the bill can be paid at the post office or at a bank by bank transfer (Ueberweisung). There is a green initiative that encourages environmental awareness. It comes in the form of a 10 euro credit for clients who go paperless and receive notification through e-mail and pay by direct debit. To set up paperless billing - Tel: 0800 330 1000.

It's important to be aware of the terms and conditions of your service agreement. Many plans are only available for a 2-year minimum, and also require that you cancel months in advance in order to avoid an automatic contract extension. TKS disconnection requires one month's notice and will terminate at the end of a calendar month. The pre-paid deposit is usually retained for payment of charges for the final month.

Main Provider

Dialing

To call internationally from Germany:
Dial exit code followed by country code and number, i.e.
00 + country code + tel number

To call internationally to Germany:
Dial entry code (49) then German number excluding initial 0, i.e.
49 + tel number

Public Phones

Public telephones are available sporadically in the city. However, most of them are no longer coin operated. A phone card is now necessary to use most booths. The cards are available in various denominations at post offices, filling stations, supermarkets, and most newsstands.

Prepaid Cards

A prepaid card can be the easiest way to make international calls and the only way to use public phones. Cards usually come with German instructions, but after dialing the number listed on the card English-spoken instructions are available.

The cards are available in various denominations at post offices, filling stations, supermarkets, and most newsstands.

Most cards are used by:
• Dial the Access Number
• Enter your PIN Number
• Enter the number you wish to dial

Skype & Chatting

Various sites offer the ability to "chat" with other users. Originally this meant typed messages that would instantly pop up on each others screens. In recent years, this has expanded to being able to voice and video chat. With service through the internet, it is cheap, easy, and even better then a phone call.

Skype is far and away the best technology as users can message, talk, or video chat with other internet users for free. Users can also call land lines and mobile phones for a fee. Other useful services include goggle talk, windows live messenger, meebo, and more.