Using the telephone

Land line

You can apply for your own land line from the Deutsche Telekom or from other providers (for example Arcor). Each student must pay for his or her own telephone line; the only price deduction available is the discount telephone service (Sozialanschluss) only available at the Deutsche Telekom. As a general rule there is a one time hook up fee (approximately 50,- €) and a monthly basic fee (15,- € to 25,- €). Sometimes the basic fee includes a calling credit.

If you have a telephone line from the Telekom you can choose to make your calls all using the Telekom network, sometimes using other providers (Call by Call) or always using other providers (Pre-selection). If you have a land line from another provider you are often forced to always use their network to make calls. Information about different providers can be found on their internet sites, the Telekom has its own stores in Bochum (on Kortumstraße and in the Ruhrpark).

It is advisable to use low priced Call-by-Call-Rates when calling other countries and when using a mobile telephone. The lowest priced rate for your call can be found at:

• http://www.billiger-telefonieren.de
• http://www.heise.de/ttarif/

In some dorms there are telephones in the halls; however these sometimes only accept incoming calls.

Public Telephone Booths

In public telephone booths you can either use a phone card or coins to place a call. You can buy a phone card starting at 5,- € at the post office, kiosks, or at gas stations. The phone booth usually has its own telephone number. You can be called back at this number.