The telecom market in Austria is quite mature. It is dominated by its three major operators – A1 Telekom, Magenta Telekom, and Three Austria. There are also a growing number of MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) in Austria. The telcos have been focusing on delivering improved telecommunications infrastructure through fiber networks supported by 5G. Data rates are the cheapest in Austria among the Central European nations. Domestic data packages are sold for as low as 0.1c per MB, but EU roaming rates are not so cheap (mostly around 6c per MB). In this article, we will talk in brief about the top 8 best SIM cards available in Austria.
1. A1 Telekom Austria
A1 Telekom is the largest wireless carrier in Austria with 5.4 million mobile subscribers, covering 98% of the population. It offers 5G connectivity too but only to its postpaid customers. It provides plans like (i) B.free Wertkarte (combo plans valid for 28 days), (ii) B.free Internet (data-only plans for 28 days, 168 days, and 336 days without EU roaming), and (iii) Data Add-ons (1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, and unlimited data without EU roaming). EU roaming is free only on a selected number of combo plans. All A1 SIM cards need registration, which is either free or for a fee of up to €10. If you don’t use the SIM card for more than 12 weeks then an inactivity fee is charged which is €0.90/month.
2. Magenta Telekom
Magenta Telekom was earlier known as T-Mobile Austria until May 2019. It is considered the best carrier in Austria in terms of 4G connectivity and network coverage as it covers 98.7% of the population. Its packs are available in many versions – (i) Mobile Klax M Startpaket (15 GB of data with 1500 mins/SMS at €10 for the first 28 days); (ii) Mobile Internet Klax Startpaket 8 GB (8000 MB of data with voice and SMS at €9.90 for the first 28 days); (iii) Internet Klax 30 Startpaket (preloaded with unlimited data for the first 28 days at €25), and many more. It charges a registration fee of either around €10 or is totally free. There is an inactivity fee of €0.50/month if the SIM remains inactive for more than 3 weeks.
3. Three Austria
Three, or Drei (pronounced as ‘dry’), was the smallest network provider in the country until 2013. In 2013, it bought Orange and became a major competitor in the Austrian telecom industry. It has more than 4.3 million subscribers, covering 98% of the population. The company offers 2 versions of starter packs i.e. (i) Nimm3 zum Telefonieren ohne Bindung (preloaded with 1000 SMS, 1000 voice minutes, and 4 GB of data for first 30 days at €9.90), the other one is (ii) Nimm3 zum Surfen ohne Bindung (preloaded with 10 GB of data, SMS and voice enabled for the first 30 days at €9.90). Some of its plans have EU roaming enabled, while many others have not. It charges a fee of up to €10 for its SIM card registration.
4. Yesss!
Yesss! is a brand by A1. It operates on the 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE network of A1 for all its prepaid plans. Yesss! starter set 3 in 1 SIM cards are sold for €1.99 in which you get 100 units of local calls/SMS/MB, and 15 minutes calls to customer support. Its validity is 15 days after activation. It also provides eSIM for some eligible devices. The company offers top-ups ranging from €10 to €100 and many recharge/reload plans like Austria Plan (combo plan of 1000 units of SMS/voice minutes, 7 GB of data for 30 days at €8.49); Unlimited+ (unlimited high-speed data for 30 days at €28.99); Night Flat (unlimited high-speed data from 10 pm till 6 am next day), and many more.
5. bob
Bob is also a brand of A1 and operates on its 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE network. Bob’s starter pack starts from €9.90 with 3 in 1 SIM cards. Its SIM card is easily available at post offices, Media Mrkt, and even online to any Austrian address you provide. The company offers two starter packs i.e. (i) Sprich mit bob (combo plans of voice,SMS, and data) monthly plans, and (ii) Surf mit bob (data only plans like €5/1 GB, €5.90/4 GB, and €9.90/9 GB) monthly plans. The company provides EU roaming at local data rates up to a certain data limit in their data-only plans. From 1st June 2021, the UK is no longer part of the EU-Roaming zone, hence hefty roaming charges will be applied in the UK using bob Austria SIM card.
6. HoT (Hofer Telekom)
HoT is the most successful MVNO in Austria. It uses Magenta’s network for its default and mobile plans, and it uses Three’s network for its data-only plans. You can obtain its eSIM for just €1.99 either offline or online. At Hofer Stores, its recharge vouchers are available for €10 and €20. There are many plans offered by the company like HoT Smart (SMS and voice call for €0.039/unit along with 7 GB of local data and 3.3 GB of EU data for 30 days at €5.90); HoT Fix Mega (1000 units of voice/SMS, 17 GB local data, 8.3 GB EU data for 30 days at €14.90); HoT Surf Unlimited (unlimited local data for 30 days at €19.90), and the list is endless.
7. eety
Eety was acquired by Three in 2015. Eety SIM cards are easily available in many stores in Austria. It comes as 3 in 1 SIM card for €1.99 without any credit and for €2.99 with preloaded €1 credit. Its top-ups are available either online or offline in many supermarkets for €10 and €20. It provides multiple plans for 30 days validity, and some data add-ons too. Some of its popular plans are Connect XL (combo plan of 800 minutes, 500 SMS, 16 GB local data for €14.90); Flat 30 (data-only plan with unlimited local data for €19.99); DATA 6 GB (data add-on of 6 GB local data, 3.9 GB EU data for €6.90), and many more such packages.
8. S-Budget Mobile
S-Budget Mobile is an MVNO of Magenta Telecom and a brand of SPAR supermarket group. Its top-up vouchers are available for €10, €15, and €20 in all the SPAR outlets as well as online where you can pay with PayPal or credit card, and the voucher code will be emailed to you. There are several plans offered by the company like Mobile Plans, Data-only plans, and Data Add-ons. Some of its popular plans are MEDIUM+ (a mobile plan with 1500 voice minutes/SMS,10 GB local data, 5.5 GB EU data, data rollover of 20 GB maximum for €9.90); CONNECT+ (a data-only plan with 9 GB local data, 4.5 GB EU data, 18 GB rollover for €7.90), Volume Boost +1 GB (a data add-on of 1 GB for €3.90), and more. All the plans have 30 days validity. It offers EU-Roaming on all its plans except the UNLIMITED SURF plan. An inactivity fee of €0.50 is levied per month if the SIM card remains inactive for more than 3 months.