With mobile phones so widely used by locals and tourists alike, public payphones are no longer widely available in towns and cities.

Mobile network is ubiquitous with T-Mobile and Vodafone being leading providers. Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good. It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile telephone while driving. If you're going to be in Germany for a long period of time, consider obtaining a local SIM card.

Wi-Fi is widely available, often for free in hotels, restaurants, on public transport, airports, train stations and in city centres of bigger cities.

Each of the country's 16 regions regulates its own private and public broadcasting, and operates public TV and radio services. The country has one of the largest and most diverse TV markets in the world. It's also home to some of the world's largest media conglomerates, such as Bertelsmann and Bauer Media Group. Popular newspapers in Germany include BILD, Die Zeit, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Frankfurter Rundschau, Süddeutsche Zeitung and Die Welt.

Many major English-language newspapers and international magazines are also available in large cities. Sky Deutschland is a pay-TV operator. ARD and ZDF operate the public national TV channels; RTL and ProSieben operate entertainment channels. Deutsche Welle is the international TV service and operates in a number of different languages; Arte is a Franco-German cultural channel. Deutschlandradio operates national public radio stations, Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur; Deutsche Welle also broadcasts radio in many languages.

Stamps are available from some hotels, vending machines and post offices.

Generally Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1200. Smaller branches may close for lunch.