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Austria has a highly developed and efficient telephone system, with 77% 5G coverage as of 2022. The country has implemented strategic initiatives to improve digital interactions between the government and citizens, such as the 'Business Service Portal' and the rollout of 'ID Austria', which will replace the 'Mobile Phone Signature' system. While the specific history of phones in Austria is unclear, Motorola's Martin Cooper made the first cell phone call in April 1973, and the company debuted the DynaTAC 8000X, the first mobile phone, ten years later.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Telephone system | Highly developed and efficient |
| Internet and telephone networks | Highly developed and efficient |
| 5G coverage | 77% |
| Mobile phone companies | A1 Telekom Austria, Aldi Talk, Magenta Telekom, Orange Austria, T-Mobile, Drei |
| Mobile phone contract | Signed for a specific period of time and the call charges are paid on a monthly basis |
| SIM card activation | Required to make a phone call |
| ID Austria | Replaced the mobile phone signature on 5 December 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
- Austria's telecommunications include advanced internet and telephone networks
- Mobile phone companies in Austria offer prepaid cards and contracts
- Austria's Digital Action Plan includes the Business Service Portal for public services
- Austria's ID Austria will replace the 'Mobile Phone Signature' system
- Austria's telephone system is highly developed and efficient
Austria's telecommunications include advanced internet and telephone networks
Austria's telecommunications sector includes advanced internet and telephone networks, with a range of radio and television broadcast stations. The country's digital economy and society are highly developed, ranking 10th among 27 European Union (EU) countries in the 2022 Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) report.
Austria's telephone system is highly developed and efficient, with a variety of prepaid and postpaid SIM cards available from three major mobile network operators: A1, Magenta (formerly T-Mobile), and Drei (Hutchison 3G Austria). These networks offer widespread coverage across the country, and tourists can easily purchase SIM cards at Vienna Airport or mobile operator kiosks. The country has also demonstrated substantial advancements in mobile broadband connectivity, achieving a 91% take-up rate among individuals, exceeding the EU average of 87%.
In terms of internet access, Austria has extensive fibre-optic coverage, although it is expensive. The country has 15 satellite earth stations and around 600 very-small-aperture terminals (VSATs). There are 37 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Austria, with 6.7 million internet users, or 81% of the population, as of 2012. The broadband market is dominated by DSL providers, with UMTS/HSDPA and LTE rapidly gaining ground. SDSL and optical fibre access are also available, with the country aiming for nationwide supply of gigabit connections by 2030.
Austria has made significant progress in 5G deployment, with 77% of populated areas covered as of 2022, surpassing the EU average. The country also has a high mobile phone penetration rate, with 4,564,834 mobile subscriptions in 2012, or 55.5% of the population. As of 2023, 97% of Austrians use their smartphones to access the internet, and 3.7 million shop online via their smartphones.
Overall, Austria's telecommunications sector is highly advanced, offering efficient and widespread internet and telephone networks to its citizens and visitors.
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Mobile phone companies in Austria offer prepaid cards and contracts
Mobile phone companies in Austria offer a range of options for both tourists and residents. The country's major mobile network operators include A1, Magenta (formerly T-Mobile), and Drei (Hutchison 3G Austria). These providers offer widespread coverage across the country.
For tourists looking for short-term connectivity options, prepaid SIM cards are a popular choice. These can be purchased at Vienna Airport, mobile operator kiosks, or shops like Mediamarkt, Billa, Penny, Merkur, or DM. Tourists will need to provide a passport for registration. Prepaid SIM cards offer flexibility and are ideal for those who don't intend to stay in Austria for an extended period. However, they are typically more expensive for calls, SMS messages, and mobile data.
For those seeking more long-term options, contract plans may be more suitable. Contract plans can provide additional benefits, such as discounted rates, and are often more cost-effective for residents. A1, for example, offers the A1 Mobile L plan with unlimited data and calls for €59.90 monthly. Meanwhile, Magenta provides budget-friendly alternatives, such as their Mobile Sim Only S plan for €15 per month.
Additionally, virtual providers like EETY cater to specific segments, offering tailored products for immigrants with good international calling plans. EETY uses the Orange network, requiring phones that understand 1800 MHz.
It is important to note that phone compatibility is a crucial factor when considering mobile options in Austria. While most modern smartphones are compatible with Austrian networks, it is recommended to check the supported frequencies of your device against the bands used by Austrian carriers.
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Austria's Digital Action Plan includes the Business Service Portal for public services
Austria's Digital Action Plan is a comprehensive strategy to ensure the country remains competitive in the digital age. The plan, developed by the Austrian government, aims to improve the quality of life for all Austrians by making public services more accessible, enhancing digital literacy, and ensuring equal access to the benefits of digitalization. The Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs spearheads this initiative, with the Federal Ministry of Finance overseeing digitalization matters and the implementation of the Digital Action Plan.
The Business Service Portal (USP) is a key component of Austria's Digital Action Plan, providing a range of services for businesses. The USP offers a "Call for tenders search" service, enabling businesses to easily view all calls for tenders published under the Austrian Federal Procurement Act without additional registration. This service also includes features like full-text search and various filtering and sorting options. The USP is designed to streamline interactions between businesses and administrative agencies, and it allows companies to grant specific powers of attorney to other entities or individuals. Additionally, the USP provides a secure electronic mailbox, "My Mailbox," for receiving official documents from various official bodies.
The Digital Austria Data Exchange (dadeX), or the Registers and Systems Network, is another crucial element of the Business Service Portal project. dadeX serves as a central source of structured data about incomes, which is essential for processing applications in many areas of public administration that require proof of income. For instance, in Graz, dadeX automatically provides proof of income for the "Subsidised child care" project, which calculates subsidies based on family net income. This simplifies the process for parents and guardians and relieves their financial burden.
Furthermore, the Federal Ministry of Finance is providing the digital infrastructure for a "once-only" platform, which includes dadeX and a database of Austrian mandatory information requirements. This platform will serve as the basic central e-government infrastructure, simplifying data exchange between businesses and administrative agencies. Businesses will only need to report business-related data once, reducing the amount of data exchanged and streamlining processes.
Austria's Digital Action Plan and the Business Service Portal project reflect the country's commitment to embracing digitalization and enhancing its digital infrastructure and services. These initiatives aim to drive economic growth, foster innovation, improve public services, and ultimately enhance the quality of life for Austrian citizens.
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Austria's ID Austria will replace the 'Mobile Phone Signature' system
ID Austria is an electronic signature that allows Austrian residents to process official procedures online and sign documents electronically. It is a secure way of identifying yourself digitally, allowing you to prove who you are online so you can access digital services and conduct business over the internet. ID Austria will replace the Mobile Phone Signature system.
ID Austria has been in regular operation since 5 December 2023 and is recognised throughout the EU. With ID Austria, you can register with FinanzOnline to complete your tax return online, submit applications or obtain information. It also allows you to use the new ID platform eAusweise (eID), including a digital driving licence and digital age verification.
To switch from the Mobile Phone Signature system to ID Austria, users will be automatically guided online through the necessary steps. If your mobile signature was issued by a public authority, it can be converted online to an ID Austria account with full functionality. If your mobile signature was not issued by a public authority, it can only be converted online to an ID Austria account with basic functionality.
To register for an ID Austria account, you can either complete the official registration process at the passport office or register online. If you complete the online pre-registration process before going to the passport office, you can obtain a fully functional ID Austria account and your new passport at the same time. Alternatively, you can register your ID Austria account online after obtaining your passport. Foreign nationals can only register for an ID Austria account at a regional police headquarters.
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Austria's telephone system is highly developed and efficient
The country's major mobile network includes three operators: A1, Magenta (formerly T-Mobile), and Drei (Hutchison 3G Austria). These networks offer widespread coverage over the country. Mobile number portability was introduced in 2008, allowing users to retain their mobile phone numbers when switching between network operators.
Austria offers a range of prepaid and postpaid SIM cards, which can be purchased at Vienna Airport or mobile operator kiosks. Tourists are required to present a passport for registration. The country also has a well-established eSIM market, with providers such as Holafly and Airalo offering competitive prices for short-term and long-term stays.
In terms of mobile phone usage, it is recommended to set roaming limits and be cautious near Austrian borders to avoid accidental roaming charges. Additionally, dual SIM phones can be useful for maintaining both a phone number from your home country and an Austrian one.
Austria has also implemented strategic initiatives to improve digital interactions between the government and citizens, such as the 'Business Service Portal' and the 'Digital Office App'.
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Frequently asked questions
Mobile phones have been around in Austria since the 1970s, but they became more common in the 1990s.
Austria's telephone system is highly developed and efficient. The country ranks 10th among 27 European Union (EU) countries in the 2022 Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) report. Austria has 3G, 4G, and 5G networks.
To get a phone number in Austria, you need to purchase a SIM card from one of the mobile phone companies and activate it. You can choose between a prepaid card, which needs to be recharged regularly, or a contract with a provider, where you pay monthly charges.
Since January 1, 2019, customers purchasing a card phone have to register their prepaid SIM cards for identification purposes. You can present your identity documents at the shop of the mobile phone provider or use an online identification procedure, such as photo identification.
