Austria

Basics

There are three mobile operators in Austria:

• A1

• T-Mobile

• 3 (= "Drei")

Orange and "3" merged in 2013 to one network and the brand Orange was dropped. In addition there are many resellers or MVNOs on all networks.

2G GSM is on 900 and 1800 MHz like in most of Europe. 3G UMTS is on 2100 MHz. 4G/LTE has been started on 2600 MHz in cities and 800 MHz on the countryside on A1 and 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz on 3 and T-Mobile.

Mobile coverage is excellent for a country with difficult topography and similar to Switzerland on a very high level. In 4G/LTE both A1 and 3 cover >98%, T-Mobile is slightly behind at 90% of the population. This survey follows the historical order mostly used in the country and is no ranking.

A prepaid SIM card is locally called "Wertkarte". This is a specific Austrian expression, not used in Germany. Data rates in Austria are among the lowest in Central Europe. Ironically, there are hardly any good EU roaming offers for prepaid: While data are sold domestic for as low as 0.1c per MB, EU roaming rates are still mostly around 6c/MB.

Online top-up vouchers are available for most networks at onlineaufladen.at without surcharges. Note that if you would like to use your credit or debit card on this website, payments are only possible with Mastercard Securecode or Verified by Visa enabled cards.

A1

A1 by Telekom Austria that is still the biggest telecommunication provider in the country with a very high standard: A1 coverage map 4G/LTE has been started on 800 MHz in the countryside and 2600 MHz in the cities covering 98% of population in 2016. It's now available for prepaid too.

Availability

The starter pack is called B.free Welcome package. It's sold in their stores and many agencies like post offices, Metro, Saturn, Media Markt, Niedermeyer Libro, Lidl, MPREIS, Hartlauer etc. Standard, micro and nano SIM are sold.

Top-up vouchers of 10, 20 or 40 € can be found everywhere in the county at A1 shops, post offices, supermarkets, tobacco shops and service stations. To top up, type *102*<voucher code>#. To check balance, type *101#.

The welcome packages come in different plans with a monthly mandatory top-up and two plans without, that are more convenient for travellers: B.free and B.free internet

B.free

The text and data prepaid SIM card has a credit of 5 EUR preloaded for 9.90 EUR, sometimes discounted in promotions. Default data and overuse is expensive 0.20 € per MB. The only plan without a base rate is called B.free 5. Other combo plans include:

• B.free L: 15 € including 2 GB, 1000 dom. mins and SMS, unlimited A1 mins and SMS
• B.free Premium: 20 € including 4 GB, 1000 dom. mins and SMS, unlimited A1 mins and SMS

You can only add this one package for (more) data to all plans:

• 1 GB for 30 days at 6.90 €, activation: text 'JA' to 2941. This pack can be added several times per month. Package will auto-renew after 30 days, to stop text 'AUS' to 2941.

B.free internet

B.free internet is a data-only SIM. The starter for 9.90 € has 5 GB data valid for 30 days included. Default rate is 0.02 € per MB and speed up to 150 Mbps. These packages can be added:

• B.free Internet S 30 Tage: 5 GB for 30 days: 10 €
• B.free Internet L 30 Tage: 10 GB for 30 days: 15 €
• B.free Internet S 12 Monate: 5 GB for 12 months: 20 €
• B.free Internet L 12 Monate: 10 GB for 12 months: 30 €
• B.free Net Cube Internet: "unlimited" for 30 days: 20 € - throttled to 20/5 Mbps

You can add more traffic whenever you reach your data limit.

More information

• APN: A1.net
• Username: ppp@A1plus.at
• Password: ppp
• complete website in German: http://www.a1.net/
• prepaid site in English: http://www.a1.net/bfree-prepaid-local-sim

bob

Bob is a brand of A1 and operates on the A1 network in 2G, 3G up to 21 Mbit/s and with one tariff on 4G/LTE too up to 50 Mbit/s.

Availability

Bob starterpacks are available for 9.90 € at post offices, Media Markt, Saturn, Libro or Lidl and online sent to an Austrian postal address with the same credit. Be sure to get a starter for "Wertkarte" = prepaid, as only these can be topped up by vouchers. Standard SIM, micro SIM and nano SIM are available.

All their plans now include 4G/LTE capped at 50 Mbps. Only their default Minibob stay on 3G with max. 21 Mbps.

Data options

The following options exist regarding for voice and data:

• Minibob: 6.8 cents per MB at 21 Mbit/s this is the default rate, when no package is booked or all data are used up.
• Datenpaket: € 5 for 1 GB for 30 days. This package will auto-renew each month. To activate text "ein" to 691 or type USSD code *111*1#. To switch off text "aus" to 691 or type USSD code *111*2#
• Superbob: € 14.90 for 2000 domestic minutes, 2000 domestic text messages and 3 GB data for 30 days. This package will auto-renew. To switch on send a text "ein superbob" to 693. To switch off send a text "aus superbob" to 693.
• Superbob XL: € 16.90 for 1000 domestic minutes, 1000 domestic text messages and 5 GB data. This package will auto-renew. To switch on, text "ein superbob LTE" to 693. To switch off text "aus superbob LTE" to 693.

Data-only SIM

These options exist for data-only:

• Gigabob Wertkarte: € 9.90 including 9 GB for 30 days, max. speed 50 Mbps in LTE
• Bob Breitband 1GB: € 5 including 1 GB for 30 days, max.speed 50 Mbps in LTE

More information

• Tethering is possible
• APN: bob.at  
• Username:data@bob.at  
• Password: pop  
• Website in German: https://www.bob.at/

Yesss!

Yesss! is a brand of A1 and operates on the A1 network on 2G, 3G and since 2016 on 4G/LTE for all prepaid plans.

Availability

Yesss! SIMs can be purchased online to be sent to an Austrian postal address. Yesss! starter packs are available in all supermarkets of the Rewe chain called Billa, Merkur, Libro stores, in post offices and in some petrol stations, too.

Yesss! Statersets are sold for € 1.99 as triple SIM cut out for mini, micro and nano. They contain 100 units as domestic SMS or minutes voice, 1000 MB data, and 15 mins to customer support. All included allowances are valid for 30 days. Sometimes this offer differs in promotions.

Minimal online top-up amount is €10; larger amounts are in €1 increments up to €100. This applies to both www.yesss.at and onlineaufladen.at. Top-up vouchers are available with €10 and €20 amounts. To check credit balance, type *121#.

Data feature packages

Default rate is at low 0.9 ct per MB (in 3G speeds only). These monthly packages are available, all now open to 4G/LTE:

• combo packages with voice, text and data:
  • € 9.99 with 1000 units (mins/SMS), 3 GB data: activation text 'paket complete L' to 810820. There is an optional free "Sorglospaket". This "don't worry" feature will in case of too many data roll over unused data to the next month and in case of too few data add 2 GB for € 4.
  • € 13.99 with 1000 units (mins/SMS), 6 GB data, activation: text 'paket complete XL' to 810820
• data-only packages:
  • 1 GB: € 4, max. 21 Mbps, activation: 'paket 1gb' to 810820, this package doesn't auto-renew!
  • 3 GB: € 6.99, max. 50 Mbps, activation: 'paket 3gb' to 810820.
  • 9 GB: € 9.99, max. 50 Mbps, activation: 'paket 9gb' to 810820.
  • unlimited: € 24.99, max. 21 Mbps, no roaming abroad, activation: 'paket unlimited' to 810820.
• to all packages, but the 1 GB data pack, a 1 GB add-on for more data within the running time of the base package is offered for € 3.90. This offer will be texted to you when the base package is depleted.

The 1 GB package and add-on are not renewed, all others are. To stop, text activation code and the word 'aus' to 810820. Overuse is charged at the default rate. You can also use your online account (yesss! Kontomanager) or a mobile app called "yesss! App" to activate the data options.

Affiliate Program

You can receive € 10 credit, if you sent a sms to 810820 'freund 06xxxxxxxxxx' within 14 days from the activation. 06xxxxxxxxxx is the phone number of an existing member, who also receives € 10.

EU Roaming options

For data use outside of Austria, yesss sells these roaming packages valid all over the EU:

• 500 MB for 30 days: € 24.90
• 1 GB for 30 days: € 48.90

Activation is online on your account. Option can be added several times and doesn't autorenew. Be aware that Switzerland is excluded and roaming data in Germany is sold much cheaper.

More info

• tethering is not blocked
• APN: webapn.at

• Website in German: http://www.yesss.at/

yooopi!

Yooopi! is a MVNO of Alpinacom GmbH using MVNE Yesss! and the network of A1 in 2G and 3G up to 7.2 Mbps, no 4G/LTE yet.

Availability

Yooopi! SIMs can be purchased online for free to be sent to an Austrian postal address. Yooopi! starter packs are available in Trafiken (= official tobacco stores), "handy"- and call shops.

Top-ups are available at service stations like OMV, Shell, Emi or BP or supermarkets of the Spar group. To top up, type *122*<voucher code>#, check balance by *121#, check package by *123#. Managment is possible by app or on your online account called Kontenmanager.

Data feature packs

You can activate all packages by the appropriate Ladebon (top-up voucher) or by SMS to 810820. Default rate is expensive 0.09 € per 32 KB (= 2.80€ per MB!). These options are valid for 30 days:

• All in One Paket: 500 dom. mins, 3000 SMS, 3 GB: 14.90 € - activation: 'paket allinone ein'
• Österreichbon: 1000 dom. mins/SMS, 3 GB: 9.99 €
• Datenbon:
  • 9 GB: 10 € - activation: 1114
  • "unlimited" (= FUP: 20 GB, then throttled to 128 kbps): 20 € - activation: 1115
• Pluspaket:
  • Paket 15: 500 dom. mins, 250 SMS/MB for 15 days: 9.50 € - activation: 'paket plus15 ein'
  • Paket 30: 1000 dom. mins, 500 SMS/MB for 30 days: 19 € - activation: 'paket plus 30 ein'

All these packages auto-renew after 30 days, if not stopped by the activation command replacing 'ein" by 'aus'.

More info

• APN: webapn.at
• Website in German: http://yooopi.at/

wowww!

Wowww! is a MVNO of ICC Calling Cards GmbH using MVNE Yesss! and the network of A1 in 2G and 3G up to 7.2 Mbps, no 4G/LTE yet. Their portfolio is very similar to yooopi!

Availability

Wowww! SIMs can be purchased online for free to be sent to an Austrian postal address. Wowww! starter packs and topups are available in at service stations like Shell, Jet or Esso, in tobacco stores, electroni markets like EP or Expert or post offices.

Their vouchers of 5, 10, 20 or 40 € never expire. Top-ups and SIM management like credit check is done by app or on your online account called Kontomanager.

Data feature packs

Default rate is 0.09€ per MB. These monthly packages are offered:

• All in one: 500 dom. mins, 5000 SMS, 5 GB: 14.90 € - activation: 2113
• Austria: 1500 dom. mins, 1500 SMS, 3 GB: 14.90 € - activation: 2112
• Internet:
  • 1 GB: 4 €
  • 9 GB: 10 € - activation: 2114
  • "unlimited" (= FUP: 20 GB, then throttled to 128 kbps): 20 € - activation: 2115

All activations by SMS to 810820. All packages auto-renew. To stop text <code> aus to 810820.

EU Roaming packages

Wowww! offers EU roaming packs for 30 days:

• 200 mins OR 200 SMS OR 200 MB: 9.99 € - activation: 'paket eu kombi'
• 500 MB: 24.90 € - activation: 'paket eu daten 500'
• 1 GB: 48.90 € - activation: 'paket eu daten 1000'

All activations by SMS to 810820. Roaming packages don't auto-renew.

More info

• APN: webapn.at
• Website in German: http://www.wowww.at/

Ge org!

Ge org! is the MVNO of two big electronic market chains in Austria. It uses the network of A1 in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE up to 50 Mbits.

Availabilty

Ge org! is exclusively sold by the two electronic market chains Saturn (locator) and MediaMarkt (locator) of the German-based Metro Group. They give it for free for every phone and tablet sold there or for 4.90 € as

• Ge org! Handy with 5 € credit for voice and data
• Ge org! Internet with 1 GB credit

To top-up you can use vouchers sold at Saturn and MediaMarkt of 10, 20 or 50 € or by credit card in your online account called Kundencenter.

Ge org! Handy

This is their voice and data line, available in three monthly plans:

• Ge org! basic: Data only in a low pay-as-you-go rate of 0.009 € (that's 0.09ct) per MB
• Ge org! voll smart LTE org: 1000 dom. mins./SMS, 3 GB: 9.99 €

• Ge org! voll smart LTE voll org: 1000 dom. mins/SMS, 6 GB: 16.99 €

To activate or change yout plan use their app or go to your online account. As data add-ons for extra volume 1 GB is sold for 4 €, 3 GB for 6.99 € and 9 GB for 9.99 €.

Ge org! Internet

This is their data-only SIM with these monthly plans with speeds up to 50 Mbps:

• 1 GB: 4 €
• 3 GB: 6.99 €
• 9 GB: 9.99 €
• unlimited @ max. 21 Mbps: 24.99 €

For more data 1 GB can be added for 3.90 €.

EU Roaming packages

Ge org! offers the very same 3 EU roaming packs for 30 days as wowww! (see above). Unlike wowww! activation is through your online account.

More info

• APN: webapn.at
• Website in German: http://www.georg.at/

Lycamobile

The UK-based MVNO started in 2013 in the Austrian market. It uses the network of A1 in 2G and 3G only, no 4G/LTE so far.

Availability

Lycamobile's prepaid SIM card can be purchased in their own outlets (locator: check 'SIM') or online to be sent to an Austrian postal address for free. They are given out in all three sizes but don't have credit on it and you need to make a top-up.

You can top-up online by using internatl. Visa or Mastercard with a secure code or in many shops (locator: check 'top up') by vouchers or direct top-up.

Data feature packs

Default rate for data outside of packages is 9 ct per MB. Better buy these bundles, that are all valid for 30 days:

Data Volume	Price	Activation
100 MB	1.90 €	*139*30100#
300 MB	2.90 €	*139*30300#
1 GB	3.90 €	*139*30500#
3 GB	4.90 €	*139*301024#
6 GB	9.90 €	*139*303072#

All packages auto-renew after one month, if you have enough credit. To stop, call customer service on 322 from your Lycamobile for free. Now, extra data can be added by bolt-ons, valid for the rest of the running time of the base package:

• 500 MB: 3.90 €, activation: *139*601#
• 1 GB: 4.90 €, activation: *139*602#

Roaming bundles

Lycamobile offers cheap roaming bundles to be used in certain countries only. All packages are valid for 30 days and can't be renewed ahead of time. For more info see: Euro5.

Tethering

Strictly no tethering as Lycamobile sniffs and blocks tethering connections.

More information

• APN: data.lycamobile.at
• Username: lmat (that's small L, not capital i)
• Password: plus
• Website in English: http://www.lycamobile.at/en/

T-Mobile (Klax)

T-Mobile Austria has a good coverage within the country on GSM and UMTS, slightly behind A1 and Drei, but still on a generally high level. 4G/LTE has been rolled out and is available on prepaid without surcharges. It covers 90% of the population in 2016: T-Mobile coverage map.

Their prepaid lines are called "Klax" and are sold online and in a lot of shops: T-Mobile shop finder . Standard and micro SIM, although depending on the retailer nano SIM packs also available. Top-up vouchers are widely available.

Availability

Klax starter packs are available in stores in different varieties with a high default rate:

• Klax Total: sold at 15 € with 9 € credit preloaded. No included allowances, data at 0.49 € per MB.

• Megaklax LTE: 1500 domestic minutes, 1500 domestic texts and 3 GB included for 15 €. Overuse is charged at 0.49 € per MB. Included volume is valid 30 days and renews every month for 15€.
• Smartklax LTE: 2000 domestic minutes, 2000 domestic texts and 4 GB included for 20 €. Overuse, validity and renewal see Megaklax.
• Surfklax LTE: with 10 GB preloaded for 15 € valid for 30 days. Overuse is a low 0.02 € per MB.

Max. speeds are only 10 Mbps on 4G/LTE. You can't add more data to the packages.

Top-ups are by vouchers of 10, 15, 20 or 40 € sold in many shops. Check credit by USSD code *101# and data credit by *114#

Surfklax

These data packages are offered on Surfklax cards only:

• Surfklax 5 GB for 30 days at 10 €. Activation: SURFKLAX 5GB
• Surfklax 10 GB for 30 days at 15 €: Activation SURFKLAX 10GB

The Surfklax packages will renew every month if not deactivated. For activation text SMS to 0676 2222. Change to default rate by texting "KLAXINTERNET" or stop packs by texting stop <package name>. There is no international roaming on Surfklax possible.

Once you've used up all data volume for the Surfklax packages, you won't be able to "top-up" and buy more data for the same month. Your options are:

• Add more credit, and keep using data at the rate of 0.02 € per MB, OR
• Add credits just before the expiry of the original 30-day period, so that it will renew, OR
• Buy an entirely new Surfklax starter kit for 5 GB or 10 GB.

If you add credits before the 30-day period, they will be used up at the default rate mentioned above

More information

• tethering is allowed
• APN: gprsinternet
• Website in German: http://www.t-mobile.at/

tele.ring

Telering is a sub-brand of T-Mobile using the T-Mobile network (details see above) in 2G and 3G and 4G/LTE in speeds up to 7.2 Mbit/s in download and 2 Mbit/s in upload.

Availability

Their prepaid data SIM is called "Mücke" (= fly) and sold online to be sent to an Austrian address or at shops. Top-up vouchers can be bought online, at post offices, in Libro, Penny stores and many kiosks.

Availability

The starter pack is sold in 2 variations:

• Mücke: for 9.90 € with 5 € start credit
• Volle Mücke: for 12 € with 1000 domestic minutes, 1000 domestic SMS and 1 GB data valid for 1 month. This pack renews every month for a fee of 12 € and is included for the start.

Maximum download rate is 7.2 Mbps, max. upload 2 Mbps. Standard data tariff is high 0.49 EUR per MB. For Mücke there are no packages to upsize.

Note, that there is an inactivity fee of 0.50 € per month charged after 4 months of inactivity. To top-up use vouchers of 10, 15, 20 or 35 € sold in tobacco shops and post offices and other stores. Enter *104*<voucher code>#. Check balance by *101#.

More information

• APN: web   
• Username: web@telering.at   
• Password: web
• Website in German: http://www.telering.at/

HoT (Hofer Telekom)

Hofer (as the Austrian branch of Aldi discounter stores is called) started its own brand in 2015. It's called HoT (for Hofer Telekom) and uses the network of T-Mobile in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE as a MVNO.

Availability

They can be purchased online to be sent to an Austrian address or at all Hofer supermarkets (Hofer Store Locator) for 1.99 €. Hybrid SIM cards with mini SIM, micro SiM and nano SIM are sold.

Top-ups can be done by purchasing "Ladebons" (= vouchers) of 10 € or 20 € at Hofer stores. Your phone number (like 0677....) needs to be entered twice followed by the PIN code of the voucher online here for a recharge. Alternatively, you can use a credit card (Master, Visa, Diners or AmEx) or even a PayPal account to top-up directly online here: click on "mit Kreditkarte, Online Banking, PayPal".

You can get the balance of your account if you send a SMS to 6700 with the word "GUTHABEN".

Default data rate

• is a low 0.9c per MB, billing is in 102.4 kB incements (= 0.1 MB). Hot Flex default rate stays at max. 7.2 Mbps. For 2 € per month you can add speeds to 21 mbps.

Data feature packages

They offer two monthly packages with data:

• HoT fix: 1000 domestic minutes or domestic texts (can be mixed) and 3 GB data for 9.90 € on up to 4G with max. speed of 50 Mbit/s.
• HoT fix Plus: 1000 domestic minutes or domestic texts (can be mixed) and 6 GB data for 16.90 € on up to 4G/LTE with max. speed of 50 Mbit/s.
• HoT data: 3 GB of data for 6.90 €, on 4G/LTE up to 50 Mbit/s.

When the included data of the pack is used up, you will be charged the default data rate or can buy a "refill package" with 1 GB for 3.90 €. All packages must be subscribed online on your personal account. The plans have a max speed of 21 Mbps. For 2 € per month you can raise this to 100 Mbps.

EU roaming package

Hot sells this roaming package for the EU (excluding Switzerland):

• HoT Roaming: 200 minutes or 200 SMS or 200 MB or any mixture of it valid for 30 days: 9.90 €

More information

• for some devices you must enable data roaming as this MVNO may be recognized as a roaming network. Be careful when enabled in Swiss border area as a MB is charged at 15.36 € (!!!) on Swiss roaming networks, better make a manual network selection and lock it on Hot/T-Mobile.
• on some older devices "tele.ring" not HoT or T-Mobile is shown as network ID
• APN: webaut
• Apple iOS users may have to download a profile for tethering from here: http://www.hot.at/config/faqs/HoT_APN_iOS.mobileconfig
• Website in German: http://www.hot.at

S-Budget Mobil

S-Budget Mobil is the MVNO of the SPAR supermarket group, one of Austrias biggest retail chains. It uses MVNE tele.ring and operates on the network of T-Mobile Austria in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE up to 7 Mbits.

Availability

The starter pack is exclusively available in all SPAR, EUROSPAR and INTERSPAR markets (locator) and online to be sent to an Austrian address. It's sold at 14.90 € including one month of plan Börserl 4100 (= 1000 dom. mins, 100 SMS and 3 GB, see below).

Top-ups are with vouchers of 10, 15, 20 and 35 € available in all SPAR outlets. To top-up type *104*<voucher code>#. To check credit, type *102#, to check validty *103#.

Data feature packs

These monthly packs are available:

• Börserl basis: data at the pay-as-you-go rate of 0.02 € per MB - default rate
• Börserl 4100: 1000 dom. mins, 100 SMS, 3 GB: 9.90 € - activation: 'BOERSERL 4100'
• Börserl 7000: 2000 dom. mins, 2000 SMS, 3 GB: 14.90 € activation: 'BOERSERL 7000'

Activation is by text to 20771. All overuse is by default rate. Packages auto-renew after 30 days. To stop text 'STOP <activation code>' to 20771.

Data-only SIM

Aimed at tablets a new data-only SIM was introduced called S-Budget Internet. The special starter package is sold at 14.90 € including 4 GB for 30 days. Overuse is at default rate of 0.02 € per MB.

The only option is a 4 GB package for 30 days at 8.90 €. There is no way to upsize it until the month is over. You will surf on the default rate instead.

More info

• APN: same APN, username and password as tele.ring (see above)
• no data roaming available
• Website in German: http://www.spar.at/de_AT/index/spar-marken/S-BUDGET/s-budget-mobile.html

Vectone Mobile

Vectone Mobile is a MVNO and operates on the T-Mobile Austria network (find details above) in 2G and 3G and 4G/LTE only on their Data Pocket Saver packages so far.

Availability

Their SIM cards are free of charge and can be ordered online sent to an Austrian postal address or to another country where Vectone operates. In Austria they are sold at certain agencies that display their logo. The SIM will be activated once popped into the phone. Standard/micro and nano SIMs are sold.

Top-up is done online or in selected stores as SIM cards come without pre-loaded credit. For topping up changing high bonuses are granted. Check their website in English for the current promotion. Check credit balance by *102#.

The standard data rate outside of packages is at 0.19 € per MB.

Data feature packs

These combo packages for 30 days are offered, but speed is in 2G/3G only:

• 0.99 €: 50 domestic mins or SMS, 50 MB, activation: *3030#
• 4.90 €: 300 domestic mins, 300 domestic SMS, 300 MB, activation: *3131#
• 9.90 €: 1000 domestic mins, 1000 domestic SMS, 5 GB, activation: *3120#
• 14.90 €: unlimited domestic mins and SMS, 7 GB, activation: *3001#
• 19.90 €: unlimited domestic mins and SMS, 10 GB, activation: *3032#
• 25 €: unlimited domestic mins and SMS, 25 GB, activation: *3079#

Their data packs called Data Pocket Savers are valid for 30 days and on 4G/LTE too:

• 3.90 €: 1 GB data, activation: *3003#
• 7.90 €: 5 GB data, activation: *3131#
• 9.90 €: 7 GB data, activation: *3004#
• 19.90 €: 20 GB data, activation: *3005#
• 29.90 €: 25 GB data, activation: *3117#
• 49.90 €: 50 GB data, activation: *3118#

To activate type code. They won't be automatically renewed.

Tethering

Forbidden by the Terms & Conditions; but enforcement of this is unclear.

• Data is not compatible with Blackberrys (below OS10)
• APN: mobile.barablu.com
• There are complaints about Vectone's poor customer service on the internet

More information

• APN: mobile.barablu.com
• Website in English: http://www.vectonemobile.at/en/

Drei Austria ("3")

Drei.at Austria (3) used to be the smallest network in the country until they bought Orange and merged in 2013 to be become a very competitive player. 4G/LTE is on 1800 and 2600 MHz and covers already 98% of population: 3 coverage map.

Their market share is now on par with T-Mobile and network coverage and speeds are on par with A1 in 2017 on a high level. In the meantime, Drei has opened 4G/LTE for most of their prepaid plans. They offer the lowest rates of any network operator and the only real unlimited plans in the country.

Nimm3

Nimm3 is the name of their prepaid line (= Wertkarte). These two starter packs are offered:

• Nimm3 Telefonie

• Nimm3 Internet

Both are sold at 9.90 € and include 1000 dom. mins, 1000 dom. SMS and 1 GB data valid for 15 days. As a promotion a start balance of 10 € is added for free.

Their SIM cards can be found at Libro (store locator) or Hartlauer. Interestingly, Drei shops (shop list) don't sell prepaid cards, only contracts. Standard SIM, micro SIM and nano SIMs are available.

Top-up cards can be found at many stores, kiosks, petrol stations and supermarkets. Online reloads by many international credit cards are accepted.

Initiative 100%

As an ongoing Freemium promotion Drei sells Initiative 100% Freikarte free SIM cards in Drei shops where they don't sell other prepaid cards. It needs to be activated like shown here in English. You need a modem or tablet and another Austrian mobile number to activate. They will send you up to 5 advertisement SMS per month and do some ads on their landing page as this offer is sponsored.

You will get 20 MB per calendar day for free. Using more, automatically the 1 GB pack for a week at 2 € is activated, ias long as you have credit. This GB package can be booked multiple times and the SIM never expires. Be aware that this SIM card may sometimes be hard to find, and that it will usually come as a standard/microSIM only. 4G/LTE is not opened on this free plan, speed is only up to 3G.

Data feature packs

• for Nimm3 Telefonie: SIM for calls, texts and data
  • as Klassik without any allowances and data at high 0.35 € per MB @ max. 10 Mbit/s in 3G.
  • or as plan in these combined bundles all on 4G/LTE for 30 days:

Price	Data Volume	max. Speed	domestic Voice	domestic Text	EU Voice
15 €	4 GB	50 Mbit/s	1000 mins	1000 SMS
20 €	6 GB	50 Mbit/s	1500 mins	1500 SMS	100 mins
30 €	10 GB	100 Mbit/s	2000 mins	2000 SMS	150 mins

Data rate outside of package is at 0.35 € per MB. To all tariffs these add-ons called Zusatzpakete can be booked for data:

• 1 GB for 30 days: 5 €
• 5 GB for 30 days: 9 €

The max. speed of the add-ons depend on the max. speed of the base plan.

• for Nimm3 Internet: data-only SIM (high prices for calls or texts, but possible)
  • as Nimm3 Internet Klassik: by volume at 0.02 € per MB, @ max. speed 4 Mbit/s in 3G; and only top-up package of 1 GB valid for another 4 months for 20 €.
  • or these monthy packages on 4G/LTE:

Volume	max. Speed	Price
5 GB	30 Mbit/s	10 €
20 GB	30 Mbit/s	20 €
unlimited	30 Mbit/s	30 €
unlimited	50 Mbit/s	40 €

Note, that there are now two unlimited packages. The unlimited plans on 4G/LTE are really unlimited in speed and volume, but classified as "stationary", resulting in lower network priority in times of network congestion.

Package won't be renewed automatically after 30 days. This is done, when you go online for the first time thereafter and have enough credit on your account. The same happens when your data volume is used up ahead of time and you have enough credit for another bundle. Otherwise rate will be charged at high 0.35 € per MB.

Roaming option

The option called 3Europa gives you an add-on of 1 GB data roaming in 3 networks only of Italy, UK, Ireland, Sweden and Denmark for 7.50 €, without any options for other countries.

More information

• Tethering is allowed

• APN: drei.at

• Website: http://www.drei.at

eety

Eety was taken over by the Drei (3) network in 2015. It has been relaunched on this nework in 2G/3G and since 2016 in 4G/LTE with up to 50 Mbps DL and 10 Mbps UL is enabled on all plans.

Availability

Eety SIM cards are available in many stores and supermarkets like Lidl (store locator) and Pagro Diskont (store locator) and some other shops (full store locator). It comes as hybrid in all three sizes either for € 1.99 without credit or for € 2.99 with € 1 credit preloaded.

Top-ups are available online at www.onlineaufladen.at/ or by vouchers offline sold for €10 and €20 in many supermarkets, kiosks ('Trafiken'), stores and service stations (list). To top up by voucher type *147*<voucher code># <call>. To check balance type *149#

Data rates

All starter packs are on the:

• eety Basis plan: 5 ct per MB, domestic SMS or domestic minute.

This can be changed to these monthly plans:

• eety Pro plan: 9.90 € for 3 GB, 1000 domestic mins and 500 dom. SMS, activation: *151*1125#
• eety Compact plan: 4.90 € for 2 GB, activation: *151*1122#
• eety Data plans:
  • 2 GB: 4.90 €, activation: *151*1122#
  • 6 GB: 7.90 €, activation: *151*1123#
  • 11 GB: 11.90 €, activation: *151*1124#

Plans are valid for 30 days and will auto-renew if there is enough credit. Speed is up to 50 Mbit/s on LTE. Having used up all volume before, you can add a:

• eety Extra add-on: 5 € for another 1 GB data, activation: *151*1116#, valid for 12 months and used after the regular package has been depleted.

More info

• Tethering is allowed
• APN: eety.at
• Website in English: http://www.eety.at/?page_id=69&lang=en

spusu

Spusu started as a MVNO on the 2G/3G Drei network in 2015. It couldn't be listed as their SIM cards were available online only. In 2016 things changed: 4G/LTE was added and offline sales in some shops began.

Availability

Their starter pack (called "Spusu Wertkarte") is available online to be sent to an Austrian address and newly in more than 1000 tobacconists (called Traffiken) countrywide. It's sold at 20 € including the same credit.

You can top-up with vouchers of 10, 20, 30 and 50 € sold in these tobacconists, by bank transfer (SEPA-account required), by credit card or Paysafecard online. You will be awared a 2 GB bonus for free at the first top-up.

If you don't use it for more than 1 year, 2 € per month will be charged and when the balance is depleted the SIM will be shut off.

Default data rate

They don't sell any packages for voice, text or data, but offer a very cheap default rate:

• 0.4 ct per MB (that's equal to 4 € per GB), billing is in 1 kB increments.

More info

• APN: mass.at
• Website in German: http://www.spusu.at/spusuwertkarte

FLINK

Flink based in Vienna offers rentable mobile WiFi hotspots for travellers in Austria to be delivered to any location and for use in Austria. Additionally, they offer a "worldwide" solution mentioned in the All Countries chapter.

Hotspot device

They are currently using a Huawei E5756 with 3G HSDPA+ connection (no 4G/LTE), 3000 mAh battery, dimensions: 101.8 x 65.8 x 14.5 mm, weight: 150 g, TFT-LCD display and 802.11 b/g/n support. You can connect up to 10 devices to this hotspot. However, connection is shared between these devices, which may result in slower speeds. According to Huawei the maximum working time is 10 hours and maximum standby time is 60 hours (while WiFi is on). The hotspot is set to not turn off automatically, to ensure that your connection is not interrupted.

Rental

You can book their hotspot online and have it delivered to your hotel or any private address in Austria (by 8am on your arrival day). Take it with you wherever you go in Austria or pick it up at one of these locations.

At the end of your rental period, you will need to return the hotspot in a prepaid envelope included in your order and place it into any postbox in Austria.

The hotspot can be rented from 24 hours up to 31 days. Hotspots that are collected from a pick-up location must be returned to the same pick-up location.

Prices

They now charge 8 € per rental day. This excludes delivery fees of 5.70 € within Austria and return charges of 6.50 €. Both surcharges can be skipped by picking it up and giving it back at their locations. There is a deposit of 130 € per device throughout the rental period. This is not charged or withheld, but they have the right to to recharge your payment method in case of loss or severe damage.

While they advertise "unlimited data usage", they actually throttle "high usage" (which is defined as more than 500 MB within one calendar day (from midnight to midnight)) to 2G speed. This data speed limit will be automatically reset at 0:00h of the next day.

More info

• networks in use: Drei Austria ("3") and A1
• website can be switched to English: https://www.getflink.com/austria/local
• support via phone, email and Skype