Chamber of Labour: Mobile phone tariffs in Austria largely stable, but old contracts remain expensive

Consumption Data and Methodology of the Study

However, the AK warns of a creeping cost trap with old contracts. Seven providers included so-called indexation clauses in their tariffs, while 20 providers did not include such clauses. At the major providers A1, Magenta, and Drei, price adjustments were "weiterhin üblich" (still common), as the AK announced. Discounters such as yesss!, Hofer Telekom (HoT), and spusu, as well as the providers new since 2026, Hörbi and Yellow, refrained from such automatic adjustments.

AK consumer advocate Gabriele Zgubic stated on Thursday in a press release: "Wer wechselt, kann den Teuerungsanpassungen entgehen, Servicepauschale sparen, mehr Datenvolumen und schnelleren Mobilfunkstandard 5G nutzen." She advised consumers to review their existing contracts regularly and to switch if necessary.

Indexation Clauses as a Cost Trap

Zgubic also warned of deceptive stability: "Auch wenn die Handypreise auf den ersten Blick stabil erscheinen, kann ein alter Vertrag schnell zur Kostenfalle werden", she emphasised. In particular, the indexation clauses of the major providers ensured that existing customers paid more year after year without any change in the scope of services.

Another point in the AK check concerns activation fees. In 2024, seven out of 26 examined providers still charged such a fee; in 2025, this number dropped to three smaller providers. This year, only one smaller provider charged 14.90 euros for activating a new SIM card. Two others did not charge the fee of 1.99 euros or 25 euros respectively due to ongoing promotions, according to the AK.

Activation Fees on the Decline

In the price comparison of monthly base fees, one provider stood out in particular: only spusu offered a tariff that was 2 euros cheaper than the previous year. The other providers maintained their level or adjusted prices upwards in the single-digit euro range, without however implementing a widespread increase.

The AK recommends that consumers not only look at the monthly base price when choosing a tariff, but also at included data volumes, the mobile generation, and any service fees. "Wer jahrelang beim selben Vertrag bleibt, verschenkt oft Geld", the AK summarised in an overall assessment.

With regard to indexation clauses, the AK pointed out that these are legally permissible as long as they are transparently disclosed in the contract. Consumers can usually object to an increase, but must then expect to be terminated by the provider. Switching to a provider without an indexation clause is therefore often the simplest solution.

Tips from the Consumer Advocates

The discounters yesss!, Hofer Telekom, spusu, as well as the new providers Hörbi and Yellow position themselves, from the AK's perspective, as alternatives for price-conscious customers. They offer tariffs without automatic price adjustments and in some cases without activation fees. However, the included services such as data volume and call minutes vary considerably.

The AK announced that it would continue to monitor the mobile communications market regularly and publish its price monitor results. The next major check is planned for autumn 2026, Zgubic announced. It will then also examine how the new providers Hörbi and Yellow have established themselves in the market.

For households that want to keep their mobile phone bills low, the AK specifically recommends the following steps: check the existing contract for an indexation clause, compare monthly costs with current offers, switch providers if necessary, and ensure a tariff generation with 5G and sufficient data volume. A tariff comparison on the internet can help find the best offer.

Background: Structure of the Austrian Mobile Communications Market

The background to the study is the ongoing inflation and the rising cost of living in Austria. The AK has observed for years that, particularly with ongoing contracts, prices for energy, telecommunications, and mobility creep up, while new customers benefit from cheaper entry-level tariffs.

The mobile communications market in Austria has for years been characterised by competition between the three major providers A1, Magenta, and Drei, as well as a growing number of discounters. The discounters have gained market share in recent years because they have been able to score points with cheap tariffs without long contract terms and without indexation clauses.

Zgubic concluded by emphasising that choosing the right tariff could bring noticeable savings for many households. Those who regularly review their provider and tariff can save several hundred euros per year, especially when switching from an old contract with an indexation clause to a modern, cheaper tariff.

The complete results of the AK price monitor are available on the Chamber of Labour's website. There you will also find concrete tariff comparisons as well as guidance on how to identify an indexation clause in your own contract and object to it if necessary.