Telecommunications

As with energy, the telecommunications market is competitive in Austria. Most providers bundle internet, cable TV and a (landline) telephone into one package. Although services can be ordered separately, the cost savings are negligible.

General Information

The Austrian telecommunications company Rundfunk und Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH (RTR)Rundfunk und Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH (RTR) () is responsible for monitoring universal services in the telecommunications and postal sectors and for reviewing general terms and conditions. With many internet service providers (ISPs) on the Austrian market, you’ll have no problem getting a connection at home, but the speed will depend on where you live.

Austria’s broadband strategy focuses on the nationwide supply of gigabit connections by 2030 (an ultra-high-speed internet with up to a gigabit-per-second download speeds).

Further Information

The broadband market is dominated by the DSL providers, with UMTS/HSDPA and LTE rapidly gaining ground. SDSL and fibre optic access are also available. Prices will vary depending on provider, location and speed, and whether you bundle your internet with other utilities such as cable TV and/or telephone.

breitbandatlas.gv.at

More information on broadband coverage in Austria.

Mobiles and Landlines in Austria

+43 is Austria’s country code.

01 is Vienna’s district code. A unique code is assigned to each district outside of Vienna, placed in front of a phone number (remove the 0 when prefacing the number with the country code).

Mobile phones in Austria are usually called Handys.

97% of Austrians use their smartphone to access the internet.

3.7 million Austrians shop online using their smartphones (2023).

Despite Austria’s varied and sometimes challenging geography (mountains, flat lands, lakes), many providers have seen this as an opportunity to innovate and use Austria as a “testing ground” for new services. Due to high coverage and low prices, mobile phone use is as high as 97%. You can even get a good signal while using the tram in Innsbruck for example.

There are no standard lengths for either area codes or phone numbers in Austria, resulting in some landline numbers being as short as three digits. Mobile numbers, in turn, use a 3-digit code at the start, depending on your provider, usually followed by 7 or 8 digits specific to your contract. With several providers to choose from, prices are competitive, but monthly charges will depend on your usage requirements. This is based on whether you own a phone, and whether you opt for a contract or pay-as-you-go SIM card. With roaming-free zones within the EU, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, your tariffs remain unchanged when traveling in these countries.

There are three main Austrian operators, each with their own network. In addition, there are a growing number of MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) that use these three main networks. Therefore, it pays to look around to see what’s out there. It’s also a good idea to think about any other services you might need, such as home internet and TV, to see if you can receive any discounts.

In terms of subscribers, A1 Telekom has the biggest market share of Austrian mobile operators. The successor to the former state-owned telecoms operator, PTV, has over 35% of the marketover 35% of the market (). This is followed by Magenta Telekom (32%) and 3 (24%). Beyond these three providers, there are a growing number of MVNOs to choose from, but these don’t typically offer as much coverage in rural areas. In towns and cities, however, they often provide the same coverage for lower prices.

The list of mobile communications providers in Austria shows all mobile communications providers (including discounters and resellers) based in the Austrian mobile communications market, brands of mobile virtual network enablers (MVNOs) and discount brands belonging to the network operators A1 Telekom Austria, Hutchison Drei Austria and Magenta Telekom in Austria.

Sign up for a Mobile Phone Contract

Signing up for an Austrian mobile phone contract is relatively straightforward for expats. You can either do it online or by visiting the local retail outlet of your preferred operator. You’ll find the three main operators have stores in most Austrian towns and cities. However, you’ll likely need to sign up for an MNVO operator online. If you visit a store, bear in mind that shop assistants may not speak English. Therefore, you might need to brush up on your Germanbrush up on your German ().

To sign up for a mobile contract, you’ll need the following:

Proof of ID (passport)
Proof of Austrian address (such as registration certificate, or Meldebestätigung)
Austrian bank account details

Opening a Bank Account

If you don’t have an Austrian bank account, visit your nearest retail bank, or sign up with a mobile bank operating in Austria, such as N26. You can find further information on opening a bank account in the section Opening a Bank Account.

workinaustria.com

Your Personal Guide to Opening a Bank Account.

Austrian SIM Cards

Prepaid SIM cards provide more freedom than lengthier mobile contracts for expats arriving in Austria. However, they are typically more expensive for calls, SMS messages, and mobile data. This makes them a great option if you don’t use your phone much. They’re also a good idea if you’re not staying in Austria long-term. However, be aware that you will need to register your new SIM card in Austria. This can be done using your proof of ID, such as your passport.

With so many operators to choose from, you have plenty of options in Austria when selecting a SIM card. They can be picked up from a number of resellers, including mobile phone stores and supermarkets. You can also order them online, although you will still need to register as part of the activation process. Some operators also offer eSIMs for a greater level of flexibility. Mobile phone credit can be purchased online, via an app or through top-up vouchers brought at selected retailers. These are typically available at a value of € 5 or € 10.