vB Easy Archive - Moving to Switzerland from US, what plan to get?

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Moving to Switzerland from US, what plan to get?
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Posted by: kutyafalka

Since there is no general forum for Europe I'll try this one. I'm currently with Cingular in the US but will be moving to Geneva, Switzerland for the long haul.
I'm looking for a carrier and plan that would give me unlimited data and reasonable rates in Europe and to the US. I don't use more than 400-600 minutes a months and less than 100 text messages.

I have a Nokia N73 for now but am planning to get the N95.

So two questions really: what carrier/plan do you recommend?
Should I buy the N95 now in the US or over there in Europe?

OK, and the last one, are there any other forums for European carrier discussions besides HOFO?

Thanks!

Posted by: scotsboyuk

There appears to be six networks to choose from in Switzerland; In & Phone SA, OnAir Switzerland Sarl, Orange, Swisscom, TDC Switzerland, and Tele2.

Here is an overview of Orange's price plans.

Swisscom subscriptions.

Sunrise's mobile site. (Only available in German, French and Italian).

Depending upon how contracts work in Switzerland you may not be able to get a contract right away. If Swiss networks perform credit checks for contracts and you don't have a credit history in Switzerland then you will likely fail the credit check.

I don't have any direct experience of the Swiss mobile market so hopefully someone who does can comment. What I would say though is that unlimited tariffs aren't really commonplace in Europe. There are some available, although I'm not sure if there are any available in Switzerland, but the chances are that most tariffs will not have unlimited options.

As for forums with a greater focus on Europe you may like to take a look at the following forums; mobile-review, Esato, and the one I help run, SE-NSE.

Posted by: Junglizt1210

Get the N95 in Europe where it will be cheaper as it is actually sold over here.

Posted by: kutyafalka

This is why I love this forum! Thanks for the info so far!

And to think that after hanging out on the "N75 Approved" forum since the fall and waiting for it impatiently at the end it's all for nothing. Oh well, I guess I just have to settle with the N95.

Posted by: scotsboyuk

There may be other handsets available in Switzerland that you would rather have, and new ones may have been released by the time you move.

Posted by: kutyafalka

Ouch! I checked these out and it's not looking good. It might even be cheaper to keep my Cingular account and use a mobile calling card. Darn...

Posted by: scotsboyuk

A Swiss friend of mine recommended this website.

Posted by: kutyafalka

Man, this stuff is crazy! How can anyone figure it out?!? I mean for all the complaining people in the US do about phones the plans and rates far make up for it.

I just need to find a Swiss plan/carrier with 200 included minutes a months, reasonable rates to the US and Eastern Europe and the best data rate for internet (at least 100 MB month).

A few general (non carrier specific) questions: if I browse the internet (not using the carrier's portal) with like Opera or Opera Mobile how is that being charged? Does it use call time or per kb charge or both?

Currently on my Cingular plan I use an avarage of 350 minutes and about 100 MB of data a months. Looking at some of those Swiss plans it seems that would cost a small fortune.

Yeah, Europe is far ahead of the US in terms of phones and tech but when it comes to rates...

Posted by: scotsboyuk

From what my friend told me one does not necessarily get any free minutes. He said that Orange offer unlimited calling to three numbers (they have to be other Orange numbers or landline numbers apparently).

Switzerland can be an expensive country.

Incidentally, Switzerland isn't Europe. Rates vary by country, with some being better than others.

Posted by: ImInBoston

switzerland is europe, its just not EU, and that is part of the reason its so expensive there, especially the food!

Posted by: scotsboyuk

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImInBoston

switzerland is europe, its just not EU, and that is part of the reason its so expensive there, especially the food!

I take it you mean Switzerland is European, which is correct, but it is not Europe. Europe is a continent, or perhaps more accurately the western most end of the Eurasian landmass.

Posted by: FFR

You should go with Swisscom,No credit checks, all you need is a swiss bank account. Swisscom is partnered with vodafone, great roaming throughout Europe. hope this helps. Swisscom, is the largest carrier then Orange (great service in France and Spain), and finally Sunrise. Don't buy a phone from the carrier, PM if you want and i will give you the name of a store that sells all the latest unlocked phones in Geneva

Posted by: kutyafalka

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFR

You should go with Swisscom,No credit checks, all you need is a swiss bank account. Swisscom is partnered with vodafone, great roaming throughout Europe. hope this helps. Swisscom, is the largest carrier then Orange (great service in France and Spain), and finally Sunrise. Don't buy a phone from the carrier, PM if you want and i will give you the name of a store that sells all the latest unlocked phones in Geneva

Sent a PM to you. Thanks!