Interesting, AT&T (or SBC) hasn't been active outside the US in mobile telephony. I wonder why they'd be interested in joining the saturated German market.

Well, apart from Hong Kong, Austria, UK, Italy, Australia, Sweden, Denmark and Ireland 3 also has a license for Norway IIRC, perhaps they are counting that?

Hutchison also had a German subsidary and bid for a 3G license in 2000 (together with E-Plus), however afterwards they sold their share of the license (or more precisely: the company holding the license) to E-Plus as well as their subsidary to Carphone Warehouse.

However since the auction is next year 3 can't have a network here yet. ;-)

ok, I didn't know about Norway

In February E-Plus introduced the new "Zehnsation" tariff which offers 0,10€/min. for all standard calls. So far it has only been available to contract customers, however starting May 1st there will be similar prepaid offer called "Zehnsation free".

The standard rate is 0,25€/min, if you recharge at least 30€ you get a reduced rate of 0,10€/min for 30 days, in both cases debited per minute though. Texts cost 0,20€ (probably world-wide), mailbox is free of charge.
The SIM card is scheduled to cost 19,99€ including 10€ of credit, if ordered online you get 25 free texts per month.