If you have been in Germany more than 24 hours, you've probably seen the letter "T" adorning buildings, television screens and billboards. The "T" comes from Telekom, as in Deutsche Telekom, and the company is unrelenting with its advertising. Deutsche Telekom is Europe's largest telecommunications company. With its divisions T-Com, T-Online, T-Mobile and T-Systems, the former state-owned monopolist provides all telecommunications services you could ever wish for, from wireless communications to business solutions. They appear to be so strong in the market that you may believe the only place to get a phone, a cell phone or an Internet connection is through Deutsche Telekom.

Not true.

In 1996, the German government deregulated its telecommunications market, sparking an all-out battle between companies. More than a decade later, service is reliable, choice is abundant and long-distance prices are rock-bottom low. In fact, by using some alternative providers, it costs less to call from Germany to the United States than to make a local call within Germany. Once you get acquainted with the system, you will find it reliable and easy to use. But with so many choices, it is easy to get confused by all the shrill marketing claims. A few years after telecommunications deregulation, utilities were also privatized, greatly improving your choices for heat, gas, electricity, etc. In this area, your choices are a little more difficult to identify.

• Choosing a Provider
• Hotspots and Call-by-Call Services
• Telephone Services
• English-Language Radio & TV
• Paying Licensing Fees
• Electricity
• Using the Postal System