Despite DSL, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is still quite popular among home phone users in Germany. It offers two lines, at least three phone numbers (Multiple Subscriber Numbers or MSN) and a better voice quality as well as more service attributes than analog lines. It also helps internet users who cannot get a DSL or another broadband connection by doubling the data transmission rate of the narrow-band internet connection. Here are three ISDN telephones that are available in German stores for less than EUR 100.00.

In a loose order we present individual price plans with a short minimum term for home phone, mobile phone or internet users in Germany. This time we give you all important details on the DSL package “DSL 16000 flex” of the provider Easybell. This DSL package includes a DSL line with data transmission rates of up to 16 mbps (download) and up to 1 mbps (upload) and a flat rate tariff for accessing the internet. The monthly charge for the user amounts to EUR 15.99, the set-up fee amounts to EUR 69.00. Currently, new subscribers pay only EUR 9.99 per month over the first half year. DSL hardware is available at the Easybell web shop for prices starting at EUR 39.00.

My top price plans of 2009 in Germany for home phone, broadband internet, mobile phone and mobile internet users are: O2 o of mobile network operator O2 Germany, Aldi Talk 24 Stunden Internet Flatrate of discount provider Medion Mobile and the double flat rate tariff Alice Fun of Hansenet. All three offers are still available and will stay my first choices in 2010 when it comes to booking a new home phone, mobile phone or internet package until another provider will launch a better price plan. Read why I recommend these three tariffs.

Two German call by call providers have cut their prices for international calls from Germany to countries like the United States, Spain and Turkey. With the call by call service 01085 users can make landline phone calls to home phones in the US for EUR 0.019 per minute, with the call by call service 010012 such calls only cost EUR 0.018 per minute. For making landline calls to home phones in Spain 010012 charges EUR 0.0188 per minute. Home phones in Turkey can be called for EUR 0.039 per minute with 01085. 01085 will not raise prices for these landline calls to the US and Turkey before January 31st, 2010. 010012 will not raise its prices for landline calls to Spain and the United States until March 30th, 2010.

German telephone and internet provider Klatro has launched a new telephone service for home phone and mobile phone users called “Callavista Phone”. This new service is free of monthly fees as well as minimum charges and combines call-through, call-back and internet telephony via a SIP client. It is especially suited for international calls to other countries by home phone or mobile phone or for international roaming calls by cell phone and offers free community calls such as Skype. The advantage of the Callavista phone services to other cost-saving alternatives such as call by call, buying a prepaid SIM card in the host country or using special mobile phone tariffs for international calls: It can be used independently of any provider either by cell phone or by home phone and it is practically available worldwide.

Currently, he German-based discount chain Lidl is selling WiFi routers for EUR 7.99 and additional EUR 3.95 for delivery. The hardware cheapy Targa WR 500 VoIP is only available at the Lidl online store while stocks last, not in regular stores. I do not know of any cheaper DSL hardware offer in the German market at the moment. Usually, you get a new DSL modem or router almost for free by your provider when you close a new DSL contract. However, when this first device is out order or you want to avoid long minimum term contracts it could make sense to buy the hardware on one’s own.

Around the world, swine flu (H1N1) related deaths are on the rise. In Germany eleven deaths from swine flu (H1N1) haven been reported so far. Most of these fatal cases had been caused by complications associated with other illnesses such as pneumonia for example. Even though most of these cases of infection have taken a mild course so far, experts warn there could be a second wave of pandemic influenza beginning. Personal hygiene measures and vaccination are among the most important prevention measures. Doctors in Germany have also begun contacting high-priority patients to get their swine flu (H1N1) shot. The Phone Guide Germany tells you where to find English language information about the swine flu (H1N1) in Germany by telephone or on the internet.

Hansenet (Alice) is the first provider in Germany offering VDSL broadband lines with a short minimum term of just one month. The VDSL package “Alice Fun Speed” offers data transfer rates of up to 50 mbps (download) and 10 mbps (upload) and costs 44.90 euros per month. The broadband package includes one home phone line (Next Generation Networks) with a flat rate tariff for phone calls to other German home phones as well as an internet flat rate. The set-up fee amounts to 99.90 euros, for another one-time fee of 9.90 euros new customers can rent a WiFi router.

The German parties CDU, CSU and FDP, who have won a convincing election victory, have made many compromises in their coalition deal which paves the way for the new government to take office in Berlin next week. The Phone Guide Germany summarizes the most important aspects of the agreement regarding telecommunication matters.

Since July 1st, 2009, emergency calls by cell phone without an active SIM card are not possible anymore in Germany. However, it is still possible to make an emergency call by cell phone even when the active SIM card is logged into another network. Users of prepaid SIM cards should check regularly whether their SIM card is still active, because some mobile phone providers may cancel the prepaid account when the phone hasn’t been used for quite a while. The Phone Guide Germany lists the most important numbers to call in Germany in case of an emergency or to find out other phone numbers.