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.

The new directory enquiry service 11813 offers much cheaper rates than the two competitors Deutsche Telekom (11833) and Telegate (11880). Dialing the 11813 from a German home phone for a directory enquiry costs 59 cents per minute, 11833 and 11880 charge 1.79 euros per minute for such a call. Calling the 11813 for a directory enquiry by mobile phone with a German cell phone plan by E-Plus or O2 Germany costs 99 cents per minute. Vodafone charges 1.45 euros per minute for a mobile phone call to 11813 within Germany, while it is not possible yet to reach the new directory enquiry service with a T-Mobile connection.

There is only one company operating fixed lines in all parts in Germany and offering home phone and DSL connections with a short minimum term: Deutsche Telekom with the brands T-Home and T-Online. On the other hand, the monthly fees and service charges of the T-Home offers seem very expensive compared to home phone and DSL packages of competitors in the market. However, there are several reasons why people living in Germany might still decide on a home phone and/or DSL connection of T-Home. The Phone Guide Germany explains what you have to be aware of when requesting a fixed line and compares home packages with short minimum term.

Most internet providers in Germany offer broadband internet access via DSL or via coaxial cable only with a long minimum term of 24 months. However, there are a some exceptions for internet users who need a broadband internet connection only for a few months: Internet providers such as Congstar, Hansenet (Alice), M-net and Netcologne also have price plan packages consisting of a home phone connection, a DSL internet connection and flat rate tariffs for phone calls and internet access with a minimum term of just one month.

Netcologne now offers new DSL customers a credit voucher of 50 euros which can be set off against the 49.90 euros set-up fee. This special offer is available until October 10th. For a home phone connection, a DSL 6000 connection and a internet flat rate Netcologne charges 24.90 euros per month. With a double flat rate for internet access and home phone calls customers of Netcologne pay 29.90 euros per month. Usually, new customers who decide on one of these short term DSL packages do not benefit from the attractive special rates that long term customers obtain.