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.

It’s show time again: In Moscow singers and bands from 25 nations try to win the 54th Eurovision Song Contest (ESC). Viewers of the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 living or staying in Germany who want to participate in the televote should do this either by making a home phone call or by sending a SMS.

Munich seated provider M-net now offers phone and internet connections with a short minimum term of six weeks. For 29.90 euros per month the phone and internet package Maxi Komplett includes a home phone line and a DSL connection with up to 6 mbps as well as a double flat rate tariff.

Car registrations, marriage licenses, or new IDs: From now on, the short phone number 115 will take people seeking simple, orally given advice right where they want to go.

The following home phone packages of German providers come with a minimum term of one month and an analog telephone connection. For an ISDN line the home phone providers charge higher monthly fees. Except for the Call Plus package of T-Home, a DSL connection is included. The Alice Fun package of Hansenet and the Maxi Komplett package of M-net already include a double flat rate tariff for internet access and phone calls to other home phones in Germany. In all other packages, customers pay per minute for each phone. Hansenet also offers a flat rate option for home calls to fixed lines in all European countries, Australia, Canada and the United States for 4.90 euros per month.