A1 Telekom SIM Cards & eSIM for Tourists: How to Get and Activate 2024

Using A1 Telekom SIM card & eSIM is the best way to stay connected to the Internet in Austria. A1 is the most common mobile provider there. But do you know how to get and activate their services? Check out the following steps for tourists then you can be well-prepared for your next trip to Austria. 

I. Overview about A1 Telekom – What you need to know

Here are some quick facts about A1 Telekom SIM card & eSIM provider in Austria for your information: 

• Founded year: 1887 (as part of Austria’s postal service, became independent in 1998)
• Full company name: A1 Telekom Austria GmbH
• Types of services provided: Mobile phone services, fixed-line internet, TV, IT solutions
• Number of subscribers: Over 5.4 million mobile and 2.3 million fixed-line customers
• Coverage: 99% of the population with 4G, nearly 100% with 5G in major cities
• Network of stores: Over 85 A1 Shops and partner outlets across Austria
• Customer support:
  • On-call: Yes, 24/7
  • Languages: German, English (potentially others based on location)
  • Time: 24/7

II. A1 Telekom Coverage in Austria

A1 boasts impressive coverage across Austria, reaching 99% of the population with 4G and nearly 100% with 5G in major cities. Here’s a breakdown:

Mobile network:

• Nationwide Reach: A1 boasts 99% population coverage with 4G, meaning you’ll have reliable data and voice service in most areas.
• 5G Powerhouse: Major cities like Vienna, Graz, and Linz are almost entirely covered with 5G, giving you super-fast speeds for streaming and downloads.
• 3G: While phased out in some areas, it still serves as a backup option in some rural locations.
• Expanding Horizons: Don’t worry if you’re venturing outside city limits, 5G coverage is constantly expanding to more regions.
• Tourist-Friendly: Popular tourist destinations like Salzkammergut, Wörthersee, and Arlberg have excellent 4G/5G coverage, so you can share those breathtaking pics without a hitch.

III. A1 Telekom Speed in Austria

For your information, A1 Telekom speed is as: 

• Average Download Speed: 56.6 Mbps (TestMy.net)
• Average Upload Speed: 9.7 Mbps (TestMy.net)
• Strengths: Consistent coverage, particularly strong in 5G rollout, reliable network performance
• Weaknesses: Download speeds may fall behind some competitors in urban areas

To have deep understanding about its speed, let’s look at the comparison to others operators in Austria as following table: 

Provider	Average Download Speed	Average Upload Speed	Strengths	Weaknesses
Magenta	62.3 Mbps	11.5 Mbps	Top download speeds, competitive pricing	Coverage slightly less extensive than A1
Drei	58.1 Mbps	10.4 Mbps	Excellent 5G network, good customer service	Higher pricing compared to others

In conclusion, we can see that:

• A1 Telekom sits mid-range in terms of download speeds, but excels in coverage and network reliability
• Magenta Telekom currently holds the crown for fastest download speeds, while Drei boasts a strong 5G network

▶Our Recommendation:

A1 Telekom is a reliable network with good coverage. You could consider choosing A1 Telekom SIM card & eSIM when traveling to Austria. 

V. Top A1 Telekom SIM Cards for Tourists & Cost

If you’re a traveler to Austria, an A1 prepaid sim card which is B.free is a great deal for you. It has some options with different plans for you as follows: 

• B.free L: 50GB with 3,000 minutes and 3,000 SMS – 32EUR ~ 34.5USD
• B.free M: 40GB with 2,000 minutes and 2,000 SMS – 22EUR ~ 24USD
• B.free S: 30GB with 2,000 minutes and 2,000 SMS – 15EUR ~ 16USD

If you are using an eSIM supported only, such as Iphone 15 USA, it’s better for you to use eSIM service. eSIM is an embedded sim, which is installed to your phone through a code. You do not need to remove your current physical SIM and insert the new one. How easy it is, right?!

IV. Does A1 Telekom have eSIM in Austria?

YES. A1 Telekom is the largest cellular provider in Austria. They offer eSIM for tourists. eSIM is more convenient for tourists because of the following reasons:

• Easy to set up: just a QR code, you are easily connected to the Internet in Austria without insert a physical SIM card
• More plans to choose from: there are many plans with appropriate validity, you can easily choose a suitable one depends on your trip 
• Use without a physical SIM card: you do not need to insert a new SIM card to your phone. In case your phone is 1-SIM slot, it is possible to have a new SIM to connect to the Internet

VI. Where to Buy an A1 Telekom SIM card?

Do you know where to buy an A1 Telekom SIM card & eSIM? Here is a guide for you. 

If you want to buy a prepaid SIM card of A1, you can purchase at some places as:

1. Upon arrival

Several airports like Vienna offer kiosks or dedicated stores selling SIM cards. Look for A1 Telekom branding or inquire at information desks for their location. These options are convenient but might have limited choices in terms of plans and prices.

2. A1 shops

The official A1 Telekom stores are your best bet for a comprehensive experience. Here, you’ll find the full range of plans, devices, and knowledgeable staff to guide you through the process. 

3. Other Authorized Retail Stores

A1 Telekom partners with numerous authorized retail stores like supermarkets, gas stations, and electronics shops. These outlets offer a limited selection of SIM cards, often focused on prepaid plans. While convenient, they might not have the expertise or full range of options found in official A1 stores.

VII. Where to Buy A1 Telekom eSIM for Austria?

Easier than purchasing a prepaid SIM card, just a few minutes of activating, you can connect to cellular providers to use their telecommunication service. To buy an eSIM, you will need to follow: 

• Check if your phone is an eSIM-compatible phone
• Buy online a day before departure
• Scan the QR code that will be sent to your email for activation 
• Finish setting up and be ready to use when you are in Austria

A1 offers a lot of plans for tourists. However, you need to come down to their shops to activate. Instead, you can choose other eSIM providers for easier steps to set up. Gigago is currently one of the best eSIM providers. 

Why choose Gigago?

• Offers a lot of plans with many validity that are suitable for your travel plan
• Has good customer service which supports 24/7 to answer you promptly 
• Has multi-language support 
• Has affordable price 

Gigago offers multiple data plan options for Austria, with prices ranging from $3.00 – $95.90 . Their minimum 1GB/3 days starts at just $3.00 . With this range of affordable plans, Gigago can accommodate any type of user and trip length in Austria. Whether you only need occasional internet access or plan to stream extensively, Gigago has a Gigago eSIM plan to fit your needs and budget. The flexibility of their pricing makes Gigago a great eSIM solution for travel to Austria.

Contact Gigago at +1 657-571-1199 (WhatsApp) for more information about eSIM service provided for customers to Austria. 

VIII. How to Top-up A1 Telekom SIM/eSIM

This is how to top up your A1 Telekom SIM/eSIM if applicable:

1. For a physical SIM card

To top up credit for a physical SIM card, you can use top up vouchers and do following steps:

• Purchase at A1 stores, supermarkets, or online retailers
• Scratch off the voucher to reveal the PIN
• Dial *448*PIN# and press call

Or you can top up through My A1 app. Follow the on-screen instructions and choose your preferred payment method

2. For an eSIM 

If you purchase a Gigago eSIM in Austria, you will need to contact Gigago via WhatsApp +1 657-571-1199 or email [email protected] for help. 

On the other hand, you can also top up credit online. You can contact Gigago via any chat channel above, they will create a payment link, then the credit will be automatically added to your eSIM number. 

IX. FAQs about A1 Telekom in Austria

X. Conclusion

If you are traveling to Austria, do not worry to use A1 Telekom SIM card & eSIM. They are a major cellular provider in Austria with high speed and widespread throughout the country. If you do not mind inserting a new physical SIM card, you can buy it upon arrival in Austria. Or if you want a direct connection right after arriving and a convenient way to use the Internet in Austria, consider using eSIM.