Introduction to Danish internet connections

Having a proper Internet connection is extremely important when you move to Denmark. Here some information for newcomers who want to get going with their new life here. FInd out about the possiblities, potential providers, potential costs, what you should look out for. Hope this information helps to making your quest of getting settled easier.

Broadband in Denmark

Internet connections in Denmark are quite modern, fast and reliable. Unless you have high expectations for speed, you’ll probably pay around 250 kroner/month for a landline connection. For this price, you will be able to get 20 Mbit, which is enough for most needs, even if you like to stream video or want to download big files now and then.
Most internet connections require that you commit for 6 months, which means that you you won’t be able to cancel your subscription until six months after your purchase. If you don’t want to commit to a 6 month contract, the best option is usually to buy mobile broadband, which several ISPs offer with no contract.
Most Danish ISPs sell their connections with speeds that are “up to” a given rate of Mbit. This means they try to get close to the promised speed, but they don’t necessarily hit it – however, they can’t deliver 7 Mbit of speed when they advertise an “up to” 20 Mbit line. That’s too much of a difference, but a few Mbit lower than what you signed up for is normal.  To make sure that you get what you pay for, you can test the speed of your connection at speedtest.net http://wwwspeedtest.net.
A lot of Danes buy their internet connection online, but unfortunately none of the ISPs offer the ordering system in English. So as a foreigner you will be better off calling them on the phone or going to one of the shops where they will be able to help you in English.

Mobile broadband in Denmark

The easiest way to get online when you arrive in Denmark is by getting prepaid mobile broadband. In Denmark 3G (UMTS and HSPA+) is the most common technology, but 4G (LTE) is becoming more widespread in the cities.
Mobile broadband works in a way that is very similar to cell phones - the signals are sent to an USB-modem/dongle, which you plug in to your computer. You might be able to use your USB-modem from back home, but be sure it uses the same technology, and it isn’t sim-locked.
Subscriptions are only possible with a CPR (personal identification). However, prepaid solutions are possible without having a CPR.
It’s a good idea to check the ISP’s coverage maps before buying mobile broadband – that way you don’t end up with a connection that doesn’t work where you live.

Coverage maps
•    TDC http://daekning.tdc.dk/erhverv.html
•    Telenor http://www.telenor.dk/privat/mobilt_bredbaand/mobilt_bredbaand/daekningskort/   (click the "se dækningskortet"-button to get access to the coverage map, and “data” in the right menu to see the expected speeds on the map)
•    Telia http://telia.dk/mobiltbredbaand/daekning/
•    3 http://www.3.dk/Privat/mobil/Daekning/ (Click the "Tjek din dækning her på kortet" to see the coverage maps – be aware, that you can’t buy pre-paid sim-cards at 3, so you need a CPR number to get a subscription)

Shops

While the websites of the ISP’s are only in Danish, the staff in the shops will be able to help you in English. Be aware though, that you lose some rights that you only have when buy online or over the phone. For example, the 14 days right of cancellation. Some ISPs will still offer this term though.
•    TDC's shops http://privat.tdc.dk/butik/
•    Telenor's shops http://www.telenor.dk/privat/kundeservice/kundeservice/kontakt/find-butik/ (Telenor’s own shops is marked with light blue icons – the other icons are supermarkets and electronic stores selling solutions from Telenor)
•    3's shops http://www.3.dk/Om3/Find-butik/ (3 does only offer mobile broadband through their 3G-network. They don’t have pre-paid solutions, so you need a CPR-number to get a subscription)
•    Telia's shops http://telia.dk/omtelia/findforhandler/ (Telias own shops is marked with lilac icons – there is a few other icons that marks shops from electronic stores, but it’s only a few)

This article was kindly sponsored by Bredbaandsmatch. Thanks for this helpful information.

Comments  

#3 fonix232 2013-08-15 01:28

Actually, that's not exactly correct. I live in Aalborg, and such, been using Stofa's network in my flats so far (been living at two different places to date). I handled the sign-up for the internet connection, and they never asked for my CPR number, or if I have one. They, however, asked for my name, address, etc., to set up the network and the billing. But that's it, not even my foreigner ID was required for signing up.

While it is great for those who just arrived to Denmark and still await their CPR registration, it opens up space to a lot of scam. So I'm not sure for how long can we enjoy this service as it is right now.

#2 Laust Stoltze 2013-07-23 20:46

Hello Niels

Very late reply from me - didn't see your post before now :-).

You don't need a Danish citizenship for the subscriptions - you need a danish personal security number (CPR) - you'll get that if you have a Danish adress for more than 3 months. You do need a danish adress too.

ICEnett (Net1 in Sweden and Denmark) is an option if you don't have a CPR and is swedish or norwegian. Prepaid mobile broadband deals is possible too. TDC, Oister and Telia has the only suitable deals I know of - only TDC and Oister sells with equipment though (USB-modem). If it's only for a short period and you have a smartphone, you might want to consider the prepaid deals but only with the sim-card - you can put it into the smartphone and use it as a WIFI-hotspot.

Best Regards

Laust / Bredbaandsmatch.dk

#1 Niels Hansen 2013-03-11 22:43

It might be a good idea to mention that you must have a danish citizenhip AND a danish living address to buy both ordinary internettconnection / mobile broadband/"internett". So it is not enough with a personal subscription.
"ICEnett" for scandinavian citizens is the only alternative i know of ( swedish/norwegian citizens)

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