Austria

Basics

There are three Austrian mobile operators:

A1

T-Mobile

3 (Drei)

Orange and "3" merged in 2013 to one network and the brand Orange was dropped. In addition there are 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. In the mountains and in rural areas, A1 offers at rural locations the best 3G coverage, followed by T-Mobile and 3. In 4G/LTE A1 and 3 (only partly on prepaid) cover >95%, T-Mobile is at 75% of the population.

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 at 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 is the biggest network operator in Austria giving the best coverage and speed in the country 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.

Start-up costs

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. Top-up vouchers can be found everywhere in the county.

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. You can only add this package for more data:

1 GB in 30 days for 6.90 €, activation: text 'JA' to 2941, deactivation: text 'AUS' to 2941. This pack can be added several times per month. Default data and overuse is expensive 0.20 € per MB. To check credit balance, type *101# and <call>.

B.free internet

B.free internet is a data-only SIM. The starter for 9.90 EUR has 5 GB data valid for 30 days included. These packages can be added:

B.free Internet S 30 Tage: 5 GB /30 days 10 EUR
B.free Internet L 30 Tage: 10 GB /30 days 15 EUR
B.free Internet S 12 Monate: 5 GB /12 months 20 EUR (per year)
B.free Internet L 12 Monate: 10 GB /12 months 30 EUR (per year)

You can add more traffic whenever you reach your data limit, Maximum speed on B.free is 7 Mbps and on B.free internet it is 21 Mbps using 4G/LTE too. To check credit balance, type *101# and <call>.

SIM sizes

Standard, micro and nano SIM

Settings

APN: A1.net
Username: ppp@A1plus.at
Password: ppp

bob

Bob is a brand of A1 and operates on the A1 network in 2G, 3G up to 21 Mbit/s and on 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, not their "gigabob" line that requires a Austrian bank account. Standard SIM, micro SIM and nano SIM are available.

Data options

The following options exist regarding 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 on 2G and 3G only, no 4G/LTE. 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. 2G and 3G only, no 4G/LTE 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 LTE: € 16.90 for 1000 domestic minutes, 1000 domestic text messages and 5 GB Data on 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE. This package will auto-renew. To switch on, text "ein superbob LTE" to 693. To switch off text "aus superbob LTE" to 693.

Technical information

Your mobile device will receive a RFC 1918 IP address so your mobile device will not easily be reachable from the internet.

Tethering is possible
APN: bob.at
Username:data@bob.at
Password: pop
Server: http://www.bob.at

Yesss!

Yesss! is a brand of A1 and operates on the A1 network on 2G, 3G and since June 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 and in post offices too. Note that yesss! has discontinued its cooperation with Hofer stores.

Yesss! Statersets are sold for € 1.99 as triple SIM cut out for mini, micro and nano. They contain 100 units as domestic SMS, minutes voice or MB data or any mixture of it and 15 mins to customer support. All included allowances are valid for 30 days.

Recharges

Minimum 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# and <call>.

Default data rate

0.9 ct per MB (max. speed: 7.2 Mbps)

Data packs

These monthly packages are available, all now open to 4G/LTE:

combo packages with voice, text and data:
- € 9.99 with 100 units (mins/SMS), 3 GB data: activation text 'paket complete L' to 810820
- € 16.99 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: € 25.99, max. 10 Mbps, NO roaming, 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 doesn't renew itself. All others do. 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.

More info

tethering is not blocked, but they don't offer hotspots for sale
APN: webapn.at

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. For example: 'freund 068120487523'.

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:
- 1 GB: 4 € - activation: 'Paket 1gb ein'
- 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

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.

Vouchers of 5, 10, 20 or 40 € never expire. Top-ups and SIM managment like credit check is possible 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, 3000 SMS, 3 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

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 chains Saturn (locator) and MediaMarkt (locator) of the 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:

1 GB: 4 €
3 GB: 6.99 €
9 GB: 9.99 €
unlimited @ 10 Mbps: 25.99 €

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

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.

The Regulatory Authority for Telecommuncations of Austria has warned that service may be turned off . This is because Lycamobile still fails to provide number portability. UPDATE: In a press release the Regulatory Authority announced that the service will not be turned off for the time being, as the Federal Administrative Court will need to rule on the matter. It's unclear at this point, whether Lycamobile simply neglected to act in time and is now trying their best to rectify the situation, or whether they are just trying to stall. For now you are safe to use them.

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 9ct per MB. Better buy these bundles, that are all valid for 30 days:

Data Volume	Price	Activation
100 MB	1.90 €	13930100#
300 MB	2.90 €	13930300#
1 GB	3.90 €	13930500#
3 GB	4.90 €	139301024#
6 GB	9.90 €	139303072#

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

Lycamobile sniffs and blocks tethering connections.

Settings

APN: data.lycamobile.at
Username: lmat (that's small L, not capital i)
Password: plus

T-Mobile (Klax)

T-Mobile Austria has a good coverage within the country on GSM and UMTS. 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. Compared with the two other networks its still in the last position, but on a pretty high level.

Their prepaid lines are called "Klax" and are sold online and in a lot of shops: T-Mobile shop finder Top up vouchers are widely available.

Starter packs

Klax starter packs are available in 3 varieties:

Megaklax LTE: 1500 domestic minutes, 1500 domestic texts and 3 GB included for 15 €. Overuse is charged at 0.30 € per 50 KB. 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: 0.02 €/MB.

Surfklax

These data packages are offered:

Surfklax 5 GB for 30 days at 10 €. Activation: SURFKLAX 5GB
Surfklax 10 GB for 30 days at 15 €: Activation SURFKLAX 10GB
Default rate called Klax Internet at 0.02 € per MB.

The Sufklax 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>.

Important Note: Once you use up the datavolume for the Surfklax packages, you will not 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 pricey 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 expensive rate mentioned above.

***Megaklax* and *Smartklax***

The Megaklax and Smartklax plans have smaller data packages. The product lines can be switched anytime to Surfklax:

Klax Tagespass: day pass (= 24 hours) with 50 MB for 1 €
Klax Data 100: 100 MB for 3 € per month, activation text data
Klax Data 500: 500 MB for 5 € per month, activation text: data500

Overuse is charged with 0.30 € per 50 KB. Activation SMS to 0676 2222

Check credit by USSD code *101# and data credit by *114#