Get wireless in a German hospital

[tedwca]

Either preferable in the States?

From Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_HSDPA_networks
List of Service providers for HSDPA

Germany
T-Mobile officially introduced its HSDPA service at the CeBIT 2006 (9–15 March 2006).
Vodafone also launched the service at CeBit 2006
O2 launched HSDPA on December 1, 2006
E-Plus plans to launch HSDPA in 2008

United States
AT&T is operating a 3G/HSDPA network, called BroadbandConnect, currently in most metropolitan markets. Speeds up to 7.2 Mbit/s are available in most markets. Areas that use UMTS instead of HSUPA as the uplink protocol are limited to 1.8 Mbit/s speeds.
T-Mobile USA is currently rolling out a 3g network in the 1.7/2.1 GHz band. Currently T-Mobile USA has rolled out in most of their 29 top markets and over 120 cities by the end of November 2008 with their 3.5G 7.2 Mbit/s network.

CDMA networks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_CDMA2000_networks


Verizon in the US and it looks like Germany only uses it for data not voice.

 

[annr]

From Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_HSDPA_networks
List of Service providers for HSDPA

Germany
T-Mobile officially introduced its HSDPA service at the CeBIT 2006 (9–15 March 2006).
Vodafone also launched the service at CeBit 2006
O2 launched HSDPA on December 1, 2006
E-Plus plans to launch HSDPA in 2008

United States
AT&T is operating a 3G/HSDPA network, called BroadbandConnect, currently in most metropolitan markets. Speeds up to 7.2 Mbit/s are available in most markets. Areas that use UMTS instead of HSUPA as the uplink protocol are limited to 1.8 Mbit/s speeds.
T-Mobile USA is currently rolling out a 3g network in the 1.7/2.1 GHz band. Currently T-Mobile USA has rolled out in most of their 29 top markets and over 120 cities by the end of November 2008 with their 3.5G 7.2 Mbit/s network.

CDMA networks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_CDMA2000_networks


Verizon in the US and it looks like Germany only uses it for data not voice.

Thank you. Nicely done and appreciated.

 

[DonDisco]

Send me his address in the hospital (Hospital address, his name, building-number, and room-number. If I can make it to the post office this week, I'll send him some books.

 

[annr]

Our care package reached the hospital but was refused by the nurses (rightly so). FedEx needed 35euros (duty or tax, etc.). The stated value of the contents was $54US and was itemized as 1 book and a scarf and hat.

A colleague in Germany says that there is a 150euro exemption for gifts. Another contact tells me that the tax rate is roughly 19-20%. Either way 35euros sounds wrong.

The package was declined by the US sender when she was told that she would have to pay the duty and return postage.

Anyone here who could shed some light on this? Does this sound right?

(I know that this is a bit off topic, but some of you seem to know more about Germany and possibly the mail system than I.)

 

[PropThePolecat]

It sounds right to me. Im not familiar with the german mail system, but here in Denmark if i receive something from the states, i have to pay about 40% extra in VAT and fees.

Was it clearly marked that is was a gift? Cause i dont think they should have charged that much if it was a gift.

 

[annr]

It sounds right to me. Im not familiar with the german mail system, but here in Denmark if i receive something from the states, i have to pay about 40% extra in VAT and fees.

Was it clearly marked that is was a gift? Cause i dont think they should have charged that much if it was a gift.

I got a copy of the documentation from my friend who sent the package. You are right, it was not marked gift anywhere. (There was no box to check for gift.) As a native German with family and professional ties maybe she could have know how to do this...

As far as the 85% tarrif, tax, etc. I did a bit of research and I'm betting that the 35euros came from taxing the entire cost of the package (contents and shipping). Wow! (Those laws for the EU are complex and sure seem punitive to citizens of the EU.)

 

[Humppa]

Well, i think it could be a little bit difficult to get some internet in german hospitals. But I think you won´t be able to get some if it´s not wanted.
Some of the hospitals don´t want their "inhabitants" to use internet. Some guys told me, that there are copper-parts are inserted in the walls, so you can´t get in internet or any connection by your cellphone.
I´m from Germany and that language is a little bit of difficult.
I don´t know how long he has to stay there, but he should be able to get some words in german language learned. Could not be bat, maybe...

Kind regards from the german - austrian border...

 

[PropThePolecat]

As far as the 85% tarrif, tax, etc. I did a bit of research and I'm betting that the 35euros came from taxing the entire cost of the package (contents and shipping). Wow! (Those laws for the EU are complex and sure seem punitive to citizens of the EU.)

Yep, the tax is calculated based on the total cost incl. shipping. Thats the way it is.

Thats why it rarely pays to order something from the states. In the end its cheaper to order it within the EU, plus youve got the EU consumer laws protecting you.

Cant u order him something from a UK site, and get it shipped to Germany? Should be an easy solution.

 

[PropThePolecat]

Some of the hospitals don´t want their "inhabitants" to use internet. Some guys told me, that there are copper-parts are inserted in the walls, so you can´t get in internet or any connection by your cellphone.
.

IF that story is true, then it has nothing to do with the hospitals forbidding the internet. Why would they even do that? Its probably to prevent cellphones interfering with some hi-tech lifesupport machine.

 

[Gollnick]

Why would they even do that? Its probably to prevent cellphones interfering with some hi-tech lifesupport machine.

Bingo.

The other signal-blocker in hospitals is lead-lined walls... literally. These block X-rays and nuclear radiation used for medical purposes.