There are various mobile telephone providers in Denmark to choose from. Competition is fierce so it is worth shopping around to find the tariff that suits you best.
The main network providers in Denmark are Telia, TDC, 3 (known as Hi3G or Hutchison 3) and Telenor. The other providers normally use the network one of the main providers and are also often owned by them. Each of these companies offer a variety of packages aimed to suit different people with different needs. Some tariffs even offer attractive rates on international calls. You can shop around at any of these companies’ high street stores and speak to a salesperson who will advise you on what to go for.
The first decision you need to make when looking for a Danish mobile number is whether you want a prepaid SIM or a contract.
Prepaid phones: With prepaid phones you have maximum flexibility as you pay as you go and you won’t need a Danish CPR-number. Top up cards for Danish pay-as-you-go SIM cards can easily be purchased at any high street store, most newsagents and some supermarkets. Generally the data plans in prepaid deals are not a good choice for expats, since you cannot use the SIM card outside of the country. Lebara, however, is a good choice for a foreigner, since both data and minutes are included, as well as possibilities for international calls to 42 different countries. The only disadvantage is that you can’t use the prepaid cards outside of Denmark.
Contract: The other option available is to sign a contract. As well as delaying payment until the end of the month, the benefits of a contract are lower calling rates (quite significantly in some cases) and better deals on new phones. The activities only function in Denmark which means that the services included only support calling and texting with other Danish numbers. International calls will be charged additionally. Be sure to read all the other conditions such as the monthly costs, connection fees and your monthly allowance. Most contracts also tend to be for a fixed period of time, so this might not be the best option if you only intend to stay in Denmark for a couple of months. Also, be aware that a Danish CPR-number and a Danish address are necessary for getting a Danish subscription.
If you want to keep your existing mobile number and bring it with you to Denmark, you should first check with your operator as to whether you will get coverage in Denmark. This should not be a problem in the bigger cities, but you should make sure nonetheless.
Be aware that using a foreign SIM card in Denmark will probably result in extremely high roaming fees unless you have a specific tariff in place. Again, you should definitely consult your home operator in order to avoid receiving a shocking telephone bill.
Another option is to bring an unlocked mobile phone to Denmark and purchase a SIM card locally. Alternatively you can purchase a disposable mobile phone when you arrive in Denmark. This will be basic, but it will at least be a cost-effective way to communicate.