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Recent liberalization of Germany's telecommunications market has led to competition between the privatized national provider, Deutsche Telekom, and a number of competitors, bringing significantly reduced call costs.

If you wish to use Deutsche Telekom, you can apply for a landline at one of their many customer service centres, called T-Punkts. The installation charge is in the region of EUR30 - EUR60, depending on whether it is a new line or the transfer of an existing line to your name. ISDN is available for an installation charge of around EUR60.00, with a monthly usage charge of around EUR26.00. Deutsche Telekom is also now introducing DSL into certain areas of the country. Itemised telephone bills are sent out on a monthly basis, and are payable within seven days. Telephone bills can be paid at the customer service centre, a post office or by bank transfer.

Mobile phone services are provided by a number of different carriers including Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile), Mannesmann Mobilfunk, 02 Germany and E-Plus and 02.

Post office services have recently been reformed in Germany, to include a range of retail and banking services. The postal service is fast and efficient, with 95% of internal post being delivered within a day and 99% within two days. In rural areas, postmen act like mini post-offices, selling stamps and telephone cards and even providing basic banking services.