These can mostly be used with cards (in some cases also with credit cards: But, beware! That is expensive). Phone cards, such as those offered by Deutsche Telekom, cost 5, 10 or 15 € in T-Punkt stores, in post offices, in some stationary shops as well as in Internet-cafés. In addition, coin-operated pay phones can also occasionally be found.
Public pay phones operate like in the United States. A collect call (an RGespräch) can only be made from the post office and must be specified.
The conditions and services for mobile (cellular) phones also differ from one network provider to the next as far as purchase costs, pre-paid or monthly charges, and toll-free numbers or special rates are concerned. Initial information on this is available from
http://www.handytarife-rechner.de (in German only)
You may also buy prepaid SIM cards for your stay in Germany:
http://www.telestial.com
Conditions may change very often and differ greatly. Therefore we cannot recommend any company or network. However, you will find the most important networks here:
http://www.t-mobile.de
http://www.o2.de
http://www.eplus.de
http://www.arcor.de
http://www.base.de
It is more reasonable for you to purchase a German cell phone/SIM card than to sign a contract with a mobile provider. In Germany a contract usually lasts two years, and hence is way too long for you. A good choice for a SIM card might be “Bild” (D2-net, 0.10 € per minute, 0.14 € per SMS, 2008). Should you wish to purchase a German cell phone or SIM card, ask your study buddy about it.
To find a phone number in Germany you have the following possibilities: