Germany

Basics:

There are four coming down to three network operators in Germany:

Telekom Deutschland (formerly known as T-Mobile),

Vodafone,

e-plus (their shops are often called BASE), acquired by Telefónica, now merging with

o2 (owned by Telefónica).

All other offers mentioned below are resellers or MVNOs of one of the 3 or 4 network operators above.

Update 1/2015: E-plus was acquired by Telefónica. So e-plus and o2 are joining forces to become one single network. The merger has begun but no schedule has been published yet. There will be changes later in 2015 but it's still unknown how and when the networks will be united and which MVNOs are to be dropped or moved to other carriers.

2G/3G Coverage:

GSM up to EDGE speed is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G is on 2100 MHz like in the most of Europe. Almost the entire country is covered by 2G. 3G/UMTS up to HSDPA+ speed is available mainly in the populated areas with some blank patches left in the countryside. Deutsche Telekom has still the best coverage nationwide, followed by Vodafone and e-plus/o2 which are still sufficient, if you stick mainly to urban areas.

4G/LTE (As of 9/2014):

4G/LTE has been rolled out in 2013 on three different frequency bands:

Telekom uses the 800 MHz band in the countryside and 1800/2600 MHz in cities.
Vodafone and o2 both are using the 800 MHz and 2600 Mhz frequencies.
e-plus started on 1800 MHz in major city centres only in March 2014.

While Telekom and o2 make their LTE network accessible to contract customers only, e-plus and Vodafone have opened their LTE network to prepaid customers. Vodafone charges extra for LTE access of its own brand, e-plus allows LTE access to all customers of all its providers without a surcharge, but requires the new iOS8 for the iPhone. However LTE is available on iPads.

Make a network scan, if you want to use it at one particular place and choose the network accordingly.

Availability:

The most convenient way to purchase a SIM card for a tourist is to go to one of the big supermarket, drugstore, petrol station or electronic market chains and look for the providers described below:

Telekom: congstar, klarmobil, Lebara mobile, ja!mobil, Penny Mobil

Vodafone: Fyve, klarmobil, EDEKA mobil, Lycamobile

e-plus/BASE: ALDI Talk (= Medion mobile), Simyo, blau

o2: FONIC, LIDL mobile, NetzClub

Most SIM cards can be used for phone calls and text messages too. Real data SIMs are rare in Germany. The standard rate is 9 cents per minute for a domestic call (to mobile or landline) and 9 cents for a domestic SMS (except ALDI, see below).

To obtain a good deal, data packages must be booked on the SIM card after activation. As weekly rates are hard to find, there is basically the choice of:

daily rates for short-time heavy users (from 500 MB to 1 GB per day)
monthly rates for other users (from 100 MB to 10 GB per month)

Activation and registration:

By law, all SIM cards need to be registered first to be activated. Registration is mostly not done in the shops but online or by phone. But this may pose a problem: Remember, you don't have a working phone or internet access yet! Additionally, there are no open Wifis in the country. Phone activation can be tricky too, because of the language. Online registration is usually in German only, but possible with the help of an online translator. Look for the words "registrieren" or " freischalten" on their website and keep phone and SIM numbers ready. If foreign addresses are not accepted, use your accomodation address instead, as your personal data will not be verified. Registration on O2 providers may take some hours, on the other operators some minutes, until your SIM card finally connects with the network.

Before having booked a data package, be sure to turn off all data on your device and don't turn on again until your selected data package is confirmed to be active. Especially all Apple users should deactivate all data-backround processes like iMessage and FaceTime in the meantime. Otherwise any data will be charged at the high default MB rate.

Tethering and VoIP:

Tethering is usually allowed with all the shown offers below, except the free ad-sponsored SIM of Netzclub. Some providers don't supply a profile for the iPhone but don't block it otherwise. VoIP calls are officially allowed only by E-Plus and O2 including some of its providers. Other operators still ban them in their T&Cs, though not actively block or otherwise prevent them on their networks.

More information:

The following list shows only the most important players on the german market. Many other providers compete for special segments and audiences. The german prepaid-WIKI has a more or less updated extended survey (in german only, use Google Translate): www.prepaid-wiki.de

Vodafone

Vodafone has just opened LTE on its first own prepaid offers. Though it comes with a big surcharge at a reduced speed of up to 21.6 Mbps.

Default data rate

9.95€ with 10€ credit.

Data feature packs

Voice plans with data (2G and 3G only) for 4 weeks

unlimited calls to Vodafone, unlimited domestic texts and 250 MB - 10 EUR
unlimited calls to Vodafone and 100 mins to other domestic networks, unlimited domestic texts and 400 MB - 15 EUR
unlimited calls and text to domestic network plus 500 MB - 25 EUR

Speed is a max. of 14.4 Mbps, when volume is used up, it will be reduced to 32 kbps. You can purchase 250 MB extra for 5 EUR (max speed 14.4 Mbps) or the two below mentioned add-ons.

To all of these plans 4G/LTE can be added by the two available 4G add-ons valid for 4 weeks:

4G including 500 MB extra - 10 EUR (max. speed 21.6 Mbps)

4G including 1000 MB extra - 15 EUR (max. speed 21.6 Mbps)

All packages and add-ons can be booked and canceled by calling 22044, if not, they will renew automatically after one month. Only the extra data on the add-ons is on 4G and when used up, LTE will be cut off.

Availability

Their prepaid card is called "CallYa" and is available at their stores (store locator) and many more outlets. Recharge vouchers are for sale all over the country.

SIM sizes

mini, micro, nano SIM

Internet settings

APN: web.vodafone.de

More information

Coverage map

EDEKA mobil (on Vodafone)

EDEKA mobil is a MVNO of a big supermarket chain in Germany on the Vodafone network in 2G and 3G only (no LTE, frequencies and coverage see Vodafone - Basics).

Default data rate

0.24 EUR per MB outside of packages

Data feature packs

They have three monthly packages on offer:

150 MB for 30 days cost 4.99 €
500 MB for 30 days cost 9.95 €
3 GB for 30 days cost 19.95 €

All packages renew themselves after 30 days. Packages can be booked online on their website in the member's area or by calling 22922. Same ways to cancel packs. When included volume is used up, speed will be throttled to 64 kbps. Or you can buy data add-ons: 150 MB for 1.95 €, 500 MB for 5.95 € or 1 GB for 9.95 €. Add-on packs are all valid for 7 days after activation, will not renew and can only be booked on the 500 MB or 3 GB monthly rate.

Availability

Their starter packs are available online on their website to be delivered to a German postal adress or offline in all Edeka supermarkets and Reichelt in Berlin Store locator. They are not on display, but have to be asked for at the checkout desk. They are free, meaning for 9.95 EUR price with a 10 EUR credit. The online purchased cards come already activated, offline packs need to be registered online here "freischalten" (in German only).

SIM sizes

Combined mini/microSIM and nano-SIM available.

Internet settings

APN: data.access.de

More information

website

Fyve (on Vodafone)

Fyve is using the Vodafone network which is quite good in terms of coverage and speed.

Maximum Transfer Speed

depends on data package:
- Surf-Flatrates L and XL - up to HSDPA (7,2 MBit/s),
- Surf-Flatrate M - up to UMTS (384 KBit/s)

Data Feature Packs

All packages automatically renew if there is a sufficient balance on the account. The flatrates can be cancelled or changed every month online or by calling 22922.

Surf-Flatrate M: 150 MB in 30 days for 5 €
Surf-Flatrate L: 500 MB in 30 days for 10 €
Surf-Flatrate XL: 1 GB in 30 days for 15 €

After using the high speed data volume, speed is reduced to GPRS. The Flatrate M can be upsized by the add-on "SurfON Paket" for another 150 MB and 5 € only by calling 01805 543012. The calling costs are refunded on the Fyve account.

Availability

Fyve is an online only operator. (http://www.fyve.de). Online orders are only delivered to german addresses for a 5 € fee.
The starter pack costs 9.95 € whether for miniSIM or microSIM, this includes 1 month of the "Viel-Surfer-Paket" (150 MB) plus 5.00 € credit or 1 month of the "Flatrate-Paket"
Starter packs are offline available at filling stations (Shell, Esso, Agip, Jet), the drugstore chain Rossmann and at the shops of The Phone House (https://www.phonehouse.de/).
Reload: Any Vodafone refill voucher can be used. They are widely available in kiosks, supermarkets or filling stations.

SIM sizes

Starterpacks contain a combi mini- and micro-SIM. Nano SIMs are only available online.

Tethering

Allowed (at least you are allowed to use an 3G stick)

APN-Settings

APN: web.vodafone.de

More Information

Website: http://www.fyve.de

simyo (on e-plus)

Maximum Transfer Speed
2G up to EDGE (220 Kbit/s), 3G up to HSPA+ (42,2 Mbit/s), 4G LTE (70 Mbit/s). Simyo uses the network of german carrier e-plus, which has not the best coverage but very good speeds in the cities.

Default data rate

€0.24 / MB (in 10 kb units)

Data feature packs

Activation or deactivation of the data packs can be done by calling 1155 from Simyo phone for free.

1 GB Internetflat €9.90 - lasts 30 days.
200 MB Internetflat €4.90 - lasts 30 days.
3 GB Internetflat €14.90 - lasts 30 days.
The option to purchase more data within the running time of the pack has been discontinued

Availability

simyo.de is an online only operator. The starter packs are available for 9.90 € with 5 € bonus online to be sent to a german address. Offline the starter packs are sold at Aral and Shell petrol stations or the drugstore chain "dm". For topping up, any e-plus voucher widely available can be used.

SIM sizes

Combined mini and micro SIMs as well as nano SIMs are available.

Tethering

Allowed (free).

Technical details

APN: internet.eplus.de
User name: simyo
Password: simyo
more information (in german): www.simyo.de

ALDI TALK (MEDIONmobile) (on e-plus)

Maximum Transfer Speed

2G up to EDGE (220 Kbit/s), 3G up to HSPA+ (42 Mbit/s), 4G LTE (70 Mbit/s). Uses the network of e-plus/BASE giving not the best coverage but very good speeds in the cities.

Default data rate

€0.24 / MB (without package).

Data feature packs

Monthly packages (30 days)
- Unlimited Data Plan S (after 150 MB: GPRS speed): € 3.99
- Unlimited Data Plan M (after 500 MB: GPRS speed): € 6.99
- Unlimited Data Plan L (after 1.5 GB: GPRS speed): € 9.99
- Unlimited Data Plan XL (after 5 GB: GPRS speed): € 14.99

Activation: online, by ALDI Talk app or dial *121*004# to activate, *123# to check status of activation, *122# to cancel data pack after the present plan expires. If you do not dial this code, ALDI will automatically try to activate a new data plan after expiration of the present one.

Upsize: The plans S, M and L can be doubled in high speed volume for 3 € for the running time of the package by calling 1155, online or using the ALDI Talk app.

Daily Package: 24 hours data plan (after 1 GB, GPRS speed): €1.99

The day flat is activated by using a different APN (see below). Thus, monthly and daily flats can be used simultanously by switching to the appropriate APN.

Availability

Starter packs are exclusively available in any Aldi Store, Germany's leading discount supermarket chain. They are not on display in the shops. You have to ask at the cash register (checkout) for it. SIM cards are available for €12.99 with €10 balance preloaded. Reloads can be made with ALDI Talk vouchers from ALDI stores for €5 or multiples of it or any e-plus vouchers widely available by *104*<voucher PIN>#

SIM sizes

Aldi Talk starter packages (including those purchased at Aldi stores) come with combination standard and micro SIM card sizes.

Billing

ALDI talk charges slightly different call rates than the other providers shown. A domestic call to landlines or mobiles and a domestic SMS is billed with 11 cents [min] (instead of 9 c elsewhere). This doesn't need to be a disadvantage: "Community calls" (meaning Aldi to other Aldi numbers) are charged with 3 cents per min only and all calls are charged from the 2nd minute by the second (60/1) instead of by the minute (60/60) like other providers do.

Tethering

Allowed (free).

EU-Roaming Package

ALDI offers this add-on for cheap data roaming outside of Germany in all EU countries, Norway and Switzerland. For 150 MB in 1 week 4.99 € are charged. This package can be booked online or by ALDI Talk app. When expired (by volume or time) it does not automatically renew, but can be booked again. This is one of the cheapest prepaid roaming options in Germany on the market quite below the EU price cap on data (compare to Lidl offer below). For small data volume out of Germany, it can be a valid option. For bigger packages, buy a local SIM card in the respective country instead (see WIKI).

Technical details

APN for monthly packages: internet.eplus.de
APN for daily packages: tagesflat.eplus.de
User name: eplus
Password: gprs
more information (in German): www.alditalk.de

FONIC (with LIDL mobile) (on o2)

Maximum Transfer Speed

2G up to EDGE (220 Kbit/s), 3G up to HSDPA (7,2 Mbit/s). FONIC uses the network of O2 Germany, which is not the best in coverage but gives still good performance in the cities.

Default data rate

€ 0.24 / MB (in 100 KByte units).

Data feature packs

Day Flat = Tagesflat (per calendar day = 0:00h - 23:59h) = 1.99 € (after 500 MB per day, speed drops to 56 Kbit/s). There is a price cap of 25 € per month, so if you use it for 13 days, the remaining days are free. For subscription text START TAGESFLAT to 36 642 (free).
Month Flat = FONIC Classic Internet with 500 MB = 9.95 € - lasts 30 days (after 500 MB, speed drops to 56 Kbit/s). For subscription text START HANDYINTERNET to 36 642 (free).

You will receive a confirmation SMS and you need to reply JA to that to confirm. This will be confirmed again, then another SMS that your request is being processed, finallly a confirmation that the option is active along with the end date or a message that you don't have enough credit. The whole process can take some hours on the o2 net. Warning: If you use the internet before getting final confirmation, it will be charged at the standard rate per MB (see above). Staying active, the monthly flat renews automatically if you have sufficient credit and the daily flat will remain your default rate. Text STOP TAGESFLAT or STOP HANDYINTERNET to 36 642 to prevent them from renewing.

When you have exceeded the data quota in the running time of the package, you get a SMS info and speed will be reduced to approx. 64 kbit/s. Unlike with Lidl mobile, there is no upsize possibility for the package.

Availability

FONIC SIMs are available online for 9.95 € but for registration you need to have a german bank account. Bought offline this is not required. Starterpacks are sold at the drugstore chains of Müller and dm, the cash'n'carry stores of Real and the petrol stations of Jet amongst others. Top up vouchers can be found there at LIDL (see below) and Rossmann. Be aware that the vouchers of FONIC and LIDL are interchangable, but O2 vouchers called Loop or Tchibo vouchers can't be used. FONIC and LIDL cards can be reloaded by bank transfer from abroad too. This may take a few days and is described here (in german): http://www.prepaid-wiki.de/index.php5?title=%C3%9Cberweisung_FONIC

Activation

The SIM needs to be activated and unlocked before use. First of all you need to register, either over the phone or on the fonic.de website (look for the "Freischalten" link in top right corner). iPhone users should disenable FaceTime to prevent it from sending SMS. It then takes a couple of hours for the activation to take effect. You will receive a welcome SMS from FONIC when this has happened. Then you can use the PIN on the back of the FONIC credit-sized card to unlock the SIM. The unlock wont work until the phone number has been activated.

SIM sizes

SIMs in a starter packs are normally standard size but with perforations to break out the micro-SIM if required. If you want a nano SIMs, you need to buy and register a standard/micro SIM first, then order a new nano-SIM card from here. You will be sent a nano card (to a German address only) with mini and standard adaptors for a charge of 10 € which is inconvenient if you need a nano SIM.

Tethering

Allowed (free)

Technical Details

APN: pinternet.interkom.de

more information (in german): www.fonic.de

LIDL mobile (on o2)

FONIC has developed LIDL mobile to be sold exclusively at the LIDL discounter supermarkets in Germany. They are on display at the cash register / checkout desk. Be sure to buy the Classic line and not the Smart line, as Smarts require a German bank account.

Default data rate

Generally all the FONIC details mentioned above are valid for LIDL too. Here are the major differences:

Starter pack costs 9.95 € (sometimes reduced to 4.95 €) with 10 € preloaded.

Data feature packs

The daily flat is not a calender day, but real 24 hrs for a 500 MB and 1.99 €.
The monthly flat comes in three sizes:
- Smartphone-Internet-Flatrate S with 150 MB in 30 days for 3.95 €
- Smartphone-Internet-Flatrate with 500 MB in 30 days for 6.95 €.
Both of theses monthly packs can be upsized: another 150 MB in the small pack for 1,49 € texting START LIDL SURFUP 150 and the larger pack with another 500 MB for 4.99 € texting START LIDL SURFUP 500 to 54356 respectively.
- Monatsflatrate with 5 GB in 30 days and max. 500 MB per calendar day, then reduced to 64 kBit/s and not upsizable for 14.99 €.
To activate the packages text START TAGESFLAT for the daily flat, START HANDYSURF 150 for 150 MB, START HANDYSURF for 500 MB and START MONATSFLAT for 5 GB to 54356. Be aware that it may takes some hours until the request is processed and you surf on the default rate in the meantime (see FONIC above).
To deactivate change START to STOP in the text messages to 54356.
Like Aldi, Lidl now offers an EU roaming package for cheap data roaming outside Germany in all EU countries, Norway and Switzerland. For 150 MB in 1 week 4.99 EUR are charged. This is one of the cheapest roaming data packs on the German market well below the EU price cap (compare with Aldi offer above). To activate, text "START LIDLEU150MB" to 54356 and wait for confirmation SMS. It doesn't renew itself: when used up by time or volume, it can be booked again. For more volume, better buy a local SIM card in the respective country.

More information

www.lidl.de/de/LIDL-MOBILE

NetzClub (on o2)

NetzClub is a free ad-sponsored SIM card with a 100 MB high speed volume per month without charge. As a subsidiary of O2, Netzclub uses O2 Germany's network, which has not the best coverage but is still good in performance mainly in the big cities,

Speed:

up to 7,2 Mbit/s. After reaching 100 MB a throttle is activated at 32 kBit/s (half GPRS speed).

Availiability:

Order and registration are only possible online. The SIM card will be sent to a german address free of any charge. The SIM is not sold offline in any stores. So you must have a german postal address to enjoy the offer. Furthermore, you have to be willing to accept some ad mails to the given email account and some advertisment SMS will be sent to your number as well. This can amount to 30 SMS or mails per month but is normally much less. This is how this service is paid for after all. If you don't want junk ads, consider other offers instead!

SIM sizes:

The SIM sent out by mail is a combinated micro- and mini-SIM. Nano-SIMs can't be ordered with a new subscription but only as a replacement SIM for 10 € extra.

Recharge and upsize:

There is no need to have credit to use the free 100 MB data per month. To top up use O2 vouchers called "Loop" from 15 € or Tchibo cashcards from 10 €. To use bank transfer (from 0,01€), see this site (in german): [[1]]

When the 100 MB free data quota is used, Netzclub sends out a SMS offering the "Surf-Pack" giving you 500 MB extra volume per month for 6.95 € (After reaching the 500 MB of the "Surf-Pack" a throttle is activated at 64 kBit/s). For buying this, you have to have credit and subscribe it by texting START SURFPACK to 22233. This may be a bad deal in the long term: the monthly surfpack overrides the free offer in the future and continues every month as long you have enough credit. To discontinue you have to call costumer service 0176 888 93939 (9c/min) or simply be low on credit.

Validity and refund:

As long as you receive advertisment mails and SMS' your unused credit has an unlimited validity, which is unique for German pay as you go prepaid cards.

If you choose not to use the card any more you can have the left credit transferred to a German bank account.

Tethering:

Tethering and VoIP are not allowed in the T&Cs, but not actively blocked.

APN and more information

APN: pinternet.interkom.de

more Info (in german):https://www.netzclub.net

blau.de (on e-plus)

Maximum Transfer Speed

2G up to EDGE (220 Kbit/s), 3G up to HSPA+ (42 Mbit/s), 4G up to LTE (70 Mbit/s)
blau uses the network of e-plus/BASE which has not the best coverage nationwide but a very good performance in the big cites

Default data rate

€0.24 / MB (in 10 kb units).

Data feature packs

day flat = Tagesflat = 24 hours data use €2.40, max. 1 GB UMTS/HSDPA then reduced to GPRS/EDGE. To activate switch to the special APN (see below).
"Internet-Flat" = lasts 30 days, UMTS/HSDPA will be used up to a specified data-limit, after reaching that limit, there will be a downgarde to GPRS/EDGE. All packages can be subscribed and unsubscribed by calling 1155 or by visiting blau.de web site.
- Internet-Flat 100 MB € 4,90
- Internet-Flat 1 GB € 9,90
- Internet-Flat 3 GB € 14.90
- Internet-Flat 5 GB € 19.80
- All monthly flats can be reset in volume as often as you like within the running time of the package. When the initial traffic is used up, a SMS is sent out which needs to be confirmed with "JA" to double the initial volume: another 100 MB or 1 GB for 3 € and 3 GB or 5 GB for 9 €.

Availability

Blau is an online operator and posts the SIM card to german addresses only, though you can request billing to a credit card, which can be any address (ie, does not have to be german). Starter packs containing a SIM card are also available from a large number of retailers for 9.95 € with 10 € preloaded: at the petrol stations of Aral, the supermarkets of Norma, Kaisers, real and Netto, the electronic market chains Saturn and Media Markt and the drugstore chain Rossmann and DM. There, reload vouchers can be bought too. Only blau vouchers can be used; e-plus or ALDI vouchers wont work.

SIM sizes

Combination Standard/Micro SIM is sent out by default; an option to select a nano SIM (at no extra cost) is presented when ordering via the web-site.

Tethering

Allowed

Technical details

Starter Pack with SIM card can be activated by blau.de/freischalten web site or by calling 1155 (german only). After visiting web site, there are 3 steps for activation, after these steps SIM card is activated between 30 min. - 1 hour.

APN Settings for monthly flats:

APN: internet.eplus.de
User name: eplus (also working: blau)
Password: gprs (also working: blau)

APN Settings for dayflat / Tagesflat:

APN: tagesflat.eplus.de
User name: eplus
Password: gprs

Thus daily and monthly flats can be used simultaneously, switching APNs.

More information

in german: www.blau.de

klarmobil (on Telekom, Vodafone & o2)

klarmobil is a reseller of Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone or O2 network. But every SIM is on one network only and cannot be changed.

Their prepaid "Handy-Spar-Tarif" with the numbers beginning 0151, 0160, 0170, 0171, 0175 are on the network of Deutsche Telekom, the "Handy-Spar-Tarif" with numbers beginning 0152, 0162 and 0174 are on Vodafone network. The "Internet Dayflat" offer is on Vodafone only.

Default data rate

€0.49 / MB (in 100 kb units) for the offer on Vodafone. A "day flat" of 0.95 € for 24 hrs for offers on Deutsche Telekom network. Here the speed will be reduced to GPRS after using 25 MB.

Data feature packs

on Vodafone: "Internet-Flat 500": 500 MB in 30 days, then throttled to GPRS Speed for 9.95 €.
on Deutsche Telekom: "Internet-Flat 500" see above. Furthermore "Internet-Flat 200" with 200 MB high speed for 7.95 €/month and "Internet-Flat 1000" for 1 GB/Month and 12.95 €. Speed is reduced accordingly.

Alternatively, a starter pack on Vodafone network can be activated as "Internet dayflat". This can not be changed to or from the "Handy-Spar-Tarif". Activation online, by phone or fax only. The "dayflat" has (in contrast to its name) 3 available rates which are only on the Vodafone network:

500 MB in 60 mins for 0.95 €
1 GB in 24 hrs for 2.45 €
3 GB in 30 days for 24.95 €

Availability

Online on: http://www.klarmobil.de to be sent to a german address only. Klarmobil is sold offline at "real" supermarkets, "Müller" drugstores and the two electronic market chains "Saturn" and "Media Markt". If you want to be sure to get the right network with the right package, try to go to Saturn or Media Markt and let them configure it there. In other stores you are left to yourself.

SIM sizes

you have either the choice of a regular SIM card, a micro-SIM or a nano-SIM when ordering online

APN Settings

APN on Deutsche Telekom network: internet.t-d1.de
APN on Vodafone network: web.vodafone.de
APN on Vodafone network with "dayflat": event.vodafone.de

More information

If you don't use more than 3€ per Month they will charge 1€ per month for "administration"....

congstar (on Telekom)

Maximum Transfer Speed

up to HSDPA (7.2 Mbit/s), congstar uses Deutsche Telekom network which is still the best in terms of speed and coverage, but doesn't allow prepaid in 4G/LTE yet.

Default Data Rate

none, you need to buy a data packet

Data Feature Packs

congstar Surf Tagesflat: 0.99€ / day in 24 hours. You only pay for the days when you use data connection. Maximum of 25 MB per day, then reduced in speed to 64/16 kbps. Activation: send SMS with Start Tagesflat to 22011
these monthly flats:

Surf Flat	Data	Price	For activation: SMS to 22011
Option 200	200 MB	7.90 EUR	Start 200MB
Option 500	500 MB	9.90 EUR	Start 500MB
Option 1000	1 GB	12.90 EUR	Start 1GB
Option 3000	3 GB	19.90 EUR	Start 3GB

For activation send free SMS with code to 22011. After depleting the data quota, speeds are reduced to 64 Kbit/s downlink and 16 Kbits/s uplink.

For the monthly flats upsize options can be booked even several times per month: 200 MB extra data for the options 200 and 500 and 500 MB extra data for the options 1000 and 3000 for 4.90 € respectively by texting the word "speed" to 7277.

All regular packages can be unsubscribed by swapping the word Start with Stop in the SMS.

Availability

order online: http://www.congstar.de to be sent to a german address.
According to their website, cards are available offline at the shops of Deutsche Telekom, the drugstore chains of Rossmann, dm and Müller, the supermarkets of extra, real, Kaufland, Netto, Penny and many filling stations and kiosks. However many of these stores do not have any Congstar products in stock.
The starter pack costs 9.99€ with mini/micro or nano SIM and 10 € preloaded. Try to buy a "Prepaid-Karte" and not the "Smart-Tarif" as it requires a German bank account.
Cards can be reloaded with vouchers bought in the shops named above or any prepaid voucher of Deutsche Telekom widely available.

Internet Stick / Surf Card

Alternatively, congstar sells USB dongles (= internet sticks) with an own tariff line and the same tariff without hardware as "Surf Card". It can be used in phones too and it also has voice. It's sold online or at the stores named above, but can be sometimes hard to find.

The stick is a locked ZTE MF190 and sold with the SIM for 29.90 EUR including 10 EUR credit. The SIM-only "Surf Card" for 9.90 EUR with 5 EUR included. This tariff line can not be changed to the regular line!

It can be loaded with the monthly flats 1000 and 3000 (see above, not the other ones) or a daily "flat" which is the default rate: 500 MB in 24 hours in 3G high speed for 2.49 EUR, then throttled to 64/16 kbps. This daily "flat" is not available for the regular line listed at the top of the section.

SIM sizes

mini, micro and nano SIM are available

Tethering

is allowed

Settings

APN: internet.t-mobile

More Information

website (in German only): http://www.congstar.de
for online purchase, payment must be made by direct debit (using any SEPA bank account). Credit cards and non-EU accounts are not accepted.

ja! mobil and Penny Mobil (on Telekom)

The REWE group, one of the biggest retailers in the country, sells ja! mobil and Penny Mobil with a very similar portfolio. Both are operating on the Telekom network in 2G and 3G only which is still the best in the country and are managed by Congstar which is the official MVNO provider.

Availability

ja! mobil is exclusively sold by Rewe supermarkets and Toom hardware stores while Penny Mobil can be only found in the discounter store chain of Rewe called Penny. Like in other discounter markets, the SIM cards are not on display but have to be asked for at the check out cash register. Both starter packs are for 10 EUR with 5 EUR credit preloaded in the tariff line shown below.

Top-up vouchers can be found in every Penny, Rewe or Toom store or just use any Telekom vouchers like cash&carry cards available everywhere.

Registration

Starter packs can be registered online or by phone:

for Penny: http://www.pennymobil.de/aktivierung.html, 0180 5 588656
for ja! mobil: http://www.jamobil.de/aktivierung.html, 0180 6 010257

Both sites are only in German, so you may use Google Translate. Phone lines are only open Mon-Sat 7-21h and cost 0.20 - 0.60 € per call.

During activation you have to choose a tariff line. For data choose "ja! mobil data" or "Penny Mobil data". All the options below are only for this line. It can't be changed later anymore. It has voice and text too.

Data Feature Packs

Default rate is the daily rate: 1.95 € for 500 MB on a calendar day (0-24 hrs). Speed up to 7.2/1.4 Mbps, using more volume speed will be reduced to 64/16 kbps. There is no charge when you don't connect to the web. This is the cheapest daily "flatrate" on the Telekom network available in Germany right now.

Furthermore, these monthly rates are available:

Surf Flat 500: 500 MB, 9.95 €, (officially only allowed for smartphones)
Monats Daten Flat, 3 GB, 14.95 €
Speed-on: 500 MB add-on for Monats Daten Flat, 4.90 €, can be booked several times

Speed is up to 7.2 Mbps, then throttled to 64/16 kbps. Packages and addons can be booked online in your "service world" (= personal account) or by calling customer support 6250. Monthly packages will renew if there is enough credit and not deactivated as shown above.

Tethering

is allowed, but VoIP, peer to peer and Blackberry use are officially banned

SIM sizes

mini, micro and nano SIM are available

Settings

APN: internet.t-mobile

More information

on ja! mobil: http://www.jamobil.de/
on Penny Mobil: http://www.pennymobil.de/

Lycamobile (on Vodafone)

Lycamobile from Britain is the main competitor of Lebara on the ethno market. In Germany it is operating a MVNO on the Vodafone network in 2G and 3G.

Their SIM card is sold online to be sent to a German postal address or offline at many outlets (store locator) for free.

Registration can be made online in English or by calling 323.

Default Data Rate

0.19 EUR per MB charged if no data bundle is booked or used up.

Data feature packs

These monthly data bundles are available:

Name	Data	Price	Activation
Data Flat 500	500 MB	9.90 EUR	text 11500 to 3535
Data Flat 1 GB	1 GB	12.90 EUR	text 11000 to 3535
Data Flat 3 GB	3 GB	19.90 EUR	text 13000 to 3535
Data Flat 5 GB	5 GB	29.90 EUR	text 15000 to 3535

Speed is up to 7.2 Mbps, throttled after the quota to 56 kbits. Per month, only one package can be booked, which can not be extended in volume.

Settings

APN: data.lycamobile.de
Username: lmde (lowercase L, not capital i)
Password: plus

Tethering

Seems to be not allowed. I can't find official information, but I bought a prepaid SIM card with 20€ credit and activated the Data Flat 3 GB. Data works on my phone but I can't share it with my computer. My 3G routeur doesn't work with it.

More information

on their Website in English

Lebara mobile (on Telekom)

Lebara mobile from Britain is the main competitor of Lycamobile on the ethno market. In Germany it is operating a MVNO on the Telekom Deutschland (T-Mobile) network in 2G and 3G.

Their SIM card is sold online to be sent to a German postal address or offline at many outlets (store locator) for free.

Registration can be made online switch to English or by calling 5588 from Lebara.

Data feature packs

Internet use is only possible by subscribing to a data bundle. These monthly data bundles are available:

Data	Price	Activation
500 MB	9.99 EUR	text DATA500 to 55255
1 GB	12.99 EUR	text DATA1000 to 55255
3 GB	14.99 EUR	text DATA3000 to 55255

After sending the activating code, confirm by sending JA to 55255.

Speed is up to 7.2 Mbps, throttled after the quota to 64 kbits. Package will renew itself after one month if there is credit. To unsubcribe text HALTDATA500, HALTDATA1000 or HALTDATA3000 to 55255 at least 24 hours before expiration. Packages can only be booked once per month.

Settings

APN: internet.t-d1.de (on iOS it can be set only via installing an app which sets up a profile)

More information

on their Website in English

Tethering:

Allowed according to http://www.mobipassport.com.au/Germany-SIM-p/germany-lebara.htm