Germany

Vodafone
Vodafone's network is based on GSM 900/1800 and UMTS 2100 and provides the best coverage in Germany. The GSM network supports EDGE nearly nationwide and their UMTS network, which supports HSDPA with up to 7.2 MBit/s and HSUPA with up to 5.76 MBit/s, is the most comprehensive one available in Germany.

APN settings
 * username: vodafone
 * password: vodafone
 * APN name: web.vodafone.de

O2
Net Frequency: GSM 1800 (+EGSM 900), W-CDMA 2100.

APN settings
 * username: (blank)
 * password: (blank)
 * APN name: surfo2

Alditalk
Alditalk is using the eplus network, which provides HSDPA particulately, often just regular UMTS with 384 KBit/s

APN settings
 * username: eplus
 * password: eplus
 * APN name: internet.eplus.de

T-Mobile
Net Frequency: GSM 900/1800, W-CDMA 2100.

APN settings
 * username: t-mobile
 * password: tm
 * APN name: internet.t-mobile

O.TEL.O
APN settings
 * username: (blank)
 * password: (blank)
 * APN name: data.otelo.de

Alice
APN settings
 * username: (blank)
 * password: (blank)
 * APN name: internet.partner1

Eplus
Net Frequency: EGSM 900, GSM 1800, W-CDMA 2100.

APN settings
 * username: eplus
 * password: gprs
 * APN name: internet.eplus.de

FONIC
Fonic is the discount brand of Telefonica o2 and therefore offers the same coverage as o2, which amounts to nearly 100% of Germany. The o2 network is based on (E)GSM900, GSM1800 (both with EDGE support) and UMTS2100 (HSPA with up to 7,2 MBit/s supported).

APN settings
 * username: (blank)
 * password: (blank)
 * APN name: pinternet.interkom.de

Tchibo
Tchibo, a coffee house chain and MVNO on the O2 network.The O2 network provides nationwide coverage with GSM900/1800 and UMTS2100. The GSM-network is being upgraded to EDGE since mid-2008, while the UMTS-network supports HSDPA with at least 3,6 MBit/s (most sites 7,2 MBit/s) and HSUPA with up to 1,45 MBit/s.

APN settings
 * username: (blank)
 * password: (blank)
 * APN name: webmobil1

Fyve
Fyve is an online only operator.

APN settings
 * username: (blank)
 * password: (blank)
 * APN name: web.vodafone.de

Simyo
GPRS (56Kbit/s), EDGE (220Kbit/s), UMTS (384Kbit/s) and HSDPA (3,6 Mbit/s - but only available in some larger cities). Simyo uses the net of german carrier e-plus which is slightly worse in terms of coverage, especially in non-city areas.

APN settings
 * username: eplus
 * password: gprs
 * APN name: internet.eplus.de

blau.de
GPRS (56Kbit/s), EDGE (220Kbit/s), UMTS (384Kbit/s) and HSDPA (3,6 Mbit/s - but only available in some larger cities )

APN settings
 * username: eplus
 * password: gprs
 * APN name: tagesflat.eplus.de

Klarmobil
APN settings
 * username: (blank)
 * password: (blank)
 * APN name:  internet.mobilcom

Tchibo mobil
Tchibo, a coffee house chain and MVNO on the O2 network with more than 1000 shops throughout Germany. GPRS (64Kbit/s), EDGE (200Kbit/s), UMTS (384Kbit/s) and HSDPA (3,6 Mbit/s). (Tchibo uses the O2 network, which is currently the best value network in Germany - High speed data, Great Coverage, Low Cost)

How to activate
Activation of SIM

If bought in a shop the SIM will usually be be activated within a couple of hours after the shop has faxed the registration form, which must be filled out including a German address (which will not be verified however) upon purchase. If bought online, the SIM should be delivered activated.

Acitvation of data option

by USSD-Menu:
 * dial *104#
 * press 2 for "Option buchen"
 * press 5 for "weitere"
 * again, press 5for "weitere"
 * press 2for "Internet Flatrate XL"
 * press 1to confirm

However subscription by SMS sometimes fails due to technical problems. If you receive a SMS stating the failure of the subscription ("Ihre DATAFLAT Bestellung war nicht erfolgreich. Bitte wenden Sie sich an unsere Kundenbetreuung unter 0179/64242 (5ct/Min)"), you need to subscribe by USSD-menu (*104#) or by calling customer care at 0179 64242. Activation of the data option will be confirmed by SMS within minutes, sometimes up to 24 hours.

How to top up

 * use "O2 Loop" top up vouchers (can ne bought almost everywhere, especially in gasstations, kiosks and supermarktes and online
 * use Tchibo top up vouchers (sold at Tchibo shops)
 * transfer money to Tchibo's bank account (see details)
 * recharge your account directly at ATM's of these banks

Vouchers can be added by

if you use a "Tchibo Internet Stick" under Windows:
 * calling 63633, then pressing '1' followed by the top up code and '#' or
 * entering *103*top up code#
 * start Mobile Partner
 * click the "Guthaben verwalten" button
 * click "Guthabenkarte aufladen"
 * now enter the code from your topup voucher in the "Aufladenummer" field and click OK
 * after a few seconds a confirmation message should be displayed in the "Ergebnis" field

Checking credit

current credit can be checked by calling 63633 or entering *101#

Checking vailidity

SIM vailidiy can be checked by entering *102#

Where to buy
Tchibo SIMs are sold at Tchibo shops and online for € 9.95. During recurring promotions the Start-Paket price drops down to €1 or is free. (If free, then the account starts with a €1 credit.) Registration with an official ID card (a foreign passport is fine) and a German address is required, however the address will not be verified, so non-residents can provide their accommodation's address. Shipping outside Germany is not offered.

Sim size
Standard SIM is used

More information
Subscriptions of the monthly flatrates will recur as long as there is enough credit left. To stop a subscription send a
 * SMS to 7777 containing "STOP DATENFLAT2" to cancel the Internet Pack L or
 * SMS to 7777 containing "STOP DATENFLAT" to cancel the Internet Pack XL

Price per MB without data option activated: € 0,24/MB (billed in 400KB-increments)

Vodafone
Web Sessions

Mobile Internet usage without a contract

While limited to 1GB in Germany, Vodafone limits the allowance per session to 50 MB during roaming. After exceeding this volume the session finishes and usere are automatically redirected to the Vodafone captive portal, where a new Websession can be activated. Note: For postpaid customers, who can also use WebSessions tariffs, the national limit of 1GB per session does not apply.

How to activate
To make use of the WebSessions tariffs you must set your device to use "event.vodafone.de" as access point (APN). Connections through other access points will be billed differently. Even before starting a WebSession you can browse the Vodafone website free of charge and so test bandwidth and connection stability before paying. In order to test downstream bandwidth you can download Vodafone's dashboard (~ 75MB)

How to top up
Pay directly by credit card

Paying WebSessions directly by credit card is not counted as a top-up and so will not prolong SIM valitidy. But you can keep your SIM active anyway: Just call 12007 from your Vodafone SIM at least once in 12 months and press 1 after the prompt. This will keep your SIM active for another 12 months even without topping it up the classical way.

At local shops

Therefore you may buy top-up vouchers (so-called "Vodafone CallNow"), which are available in many supermarkets, gas stations, etc. Aftr you have gotten a top-up voucher, which basilcy is a 13-15 digit number, it can be recharged either online via the Websession captive portal (click on "Redeem of Vodafone CallNows") or by using USSD commands (see below). You can also check the current credit either on the captive portal or by USSD. Note: You can connect and reach the Vodafone captive portal free of charge at any time.

Top up at ATMs

For a list of banks offering direct top up on ATMs to their own customers, check

With top up vouchers from foreign Vodafone networks

German Vodafone prepaid SIM cards can be topped up with Vodafone top up vouchers from the Vodafone networks in the following countries: Albania, Austria, Australia, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italia, Malta, New Zealand, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom

However recharges with top up codes from foreign Vodafone networks are subject to an extra fee of € 2, which will be deducted from the amount to be recharged.

To top up your SIM with a foreign Vodafone top up code: or or
 * enter *100*(top up code)#
 * dial 22922 (without any prefixes)
 * dial *111*22922# (requests callback from recharge system)

Purchase SIM card

German Vodafone shops offer prepaid starter kits for € 20, while these are offered way cheaper at eBay.de (Search for "Vodafone CallYa"). When purchasing Vodafone SIMs online note, that "Vodafone CallNow" is the designation of recharge vouchers, while "CallYa" is the brand of prepaid tariffs. Meanwhile Vodafone shops and electronic retailers (e.g. MediaMarkt, Saturn etc.) do also sell bundles of unlocked USB-modems including a WebSessions SIM card (only suitable for data, won't allow voice calls) for € 30. Note: All WebSessions tariffs (including the international one) are only available to German Vodafone prepaid SIMs.