A lot of providers offer unlimited minutes and texts with their pricing models. Still, there are big differences between the rates since providers use different networks, offer different amounts of included data and different smartphones.
It is hard to show you a real comparison of every offer out there, but here I like to show you some key points of most German cellular providers and their all-inclusive rates. Of course, we are just talking about the good ones.
What Matters
Network: While when in the big city, you’ll receive a signal with almost every cellular data network, it can be difficult to even receive a phone signal when walking around the countryside. Unless you are planning to be spent all your life right next to the cell tower of your new provider, it is important to spent some time figuring out if your new network has a good availability in the areas you are usually spending your time in.
Generally speaking, T-Mobile offers the best availability in Germany. Vodafone comes second place. E-Plus and o2 use different frequencies which causes bad availability especially in the country. But those networks can still be an attractive idea for people who are willing to save money in the city.
Data volume: Even though, everything is included in your rate there will still be a limit to the monthly data you can use with full-speed. If you’re running out of data, the provider will usually ask you to pay an Add-On fee in order to get more data volume. Therefore, you shall know how much monthly volume you need and compare carefully how much money providers will charge you for a potential Add-On.
LTE speed: LTE bandwidths vary between rates and providers. Be aware of what you need. Is it really necessary to pay 10 EUR monthly more just to get a little more speed that you probably won’t be able to get in your hillbilly-town? Or is it totally worth getting to your data on the fast track while being in the city?
Support: Do you need to call someone in the middle of the night in case your cell phone runs into trouble? Can you wait a week for a replacement-SIM?
Cell Phones: Do you need the newest iPhone alongside your new cell phone contract? Or do you already have a phone that you are willing to keep? Some providers ask for higher monthly fees than others, but they offer you well-priced smartphones as a favorable compensation.
 Telekom
This giant clearly offers most for their customers. Unfortunately this value has it’s price. But even though they’re monthly rates look expensive, smartphones are affordable at the store of the Deutsche Telekom. |
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| Congstar The little sister of the Telekom offers the same incredible network as the Deutsche Telekom and the prices are way lower! On the other site of the coin, you won’t be able to call them in the middle of the night. |
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| 1&1 D-Netz
United Internet-brand 1&1 offers their inexpensive rates in two networks. This one is the one in the Vodafone network, which offers less availability than T-Mobile, but it still allows a reasonable usage even for hillbilly’s. |
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| 1&1 E-Netz
Even cheaper comes the E-based network alternative from 1&1. Due to it’s availability this is definitely not recommended for usage on the countryside. |
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