Telecommunications

The Austrian telecommunications company 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). At the moment, Austria’s 4G coverage stands at roughly 90% with authorities aiming for a near-nationwide 5G availability by 2025.

 

+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.

3.4 hours per day is Austria’s average mobile ­use.

62% of Austrians shop online via their smartphones (2023).

Despite Austria’s varied and sometimes challenging geographical structures (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 and Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, your tariffs remain unchanged when traveling inside these countries.

There are three main Austrian operators, each with their own network. These are A1, 3 (Drei), and Magenta (formerly T-Mobile). 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 market. This is followed by Magenta Telekom (32%) and 3 (24%). Beyond these three, 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 have equal coverage for cheaper prices.

The list of mobile communications providers in Austria shows all mobile communications providers (also: mobile communications discounters, so-called resellers) based on the Austrian mobile communications market, brands of mobile virtual network enablers (MVNOs) and discount brands of the network operators A1 Telekom Austria, Hutchison Drei Austria and Magenta Telekom in Austria.

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 for the longer term. However, be aware that you will need to register your new SIM card in Austria. This can be done using your proof of identity, 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 telecom shops 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 credit can be added online via an app or through top-ups brought at selected retailers. These are typically available at intervals of €5 or €10.