Prepaid SIM - Switzerland
Feb 17, 2013, 4:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: City of Angels
Programs: DL Kettle| HH Pot
Posts: 525
Prepaid SIM - Switzerland
Some data points:
- Got a Swisscom SIM for my iPhone 5 while traveling to Switzerland. 19 franc with 20 franc credit to buy the SIM card. 2 franc/day for unlimited data at 1Mbit/s. You can find this on the Swisscom website as PrePaid NATEL easy.
- Got a Vodafone SIM while in Italy, 15 euro with 10 euro credit. 10 euro for 1Gbit data, 500 minutes. This was a promo deal, can't find it on their website.
- Got a Swisscom SIM for my iPhone 5 while traveling to Switzerland. 19 franc with 20 franc credit to buy the SIM card. 2 franc/day for unlimited data at 1Mbit/s. You can find this on the Swisscom website as PrePaid NATEL easy.
- Got a Vodafone SIM while in Italy, 15 euro with 10 euro credit. 10 euro for 1Gbit data, 500 minutes. This was a promo deal, can't find it on their website.
Feb 17, 2013, 4:46 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Some data points:
- Got a Swisscom SIM for my iPhone 5 while traveling to Switzerland. 19 franc with 20 franc credit to buy the SIM card. 2 franc/day for unlimited data at 1Mbit/s. You can find this on the Swisscom website as PrePaid NATEL easy.
- Got a Vodafone SIM while in Italy, 15 euro with 10 euro credit. 10 euro for 1Gbit data, 500 minutes. This was a promo deal, can't find it on their website.
- Got a Swisscom SIM for my iPhone 5 while traveling to Switzerland. 19 franc with 20 franc credit to buy the SIM card. 2 franc/day for unlimited data at 1Mbit/s. You can find this on the Swisscom website as PrePaid NATEL easy.
- Got a Vodafone SIM while in Italy, 15 euro with 10 euro credit. 10 euro for 1Gbit data, 500 minutes. This was a promo deal, can't find it on their website.
1 Mbps is really show, at least for using on a Mifi to feed your laptop and multiple other devices. I had them change it to BeFree, which didn't have speed limits.
Even at that, the speed and reception was pretty poor. My experiences with TIM in Italy was much better speed, coverage, cheaper.
I'd go with TIM or Wind before Vodaphone in Italy, at least strictly for data. Maybe if you need voice, there are better values.
Jun 12, 2013, 3:52 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: ATL
Posts: 3,219
I stopped by the Swisscom store by the Zurich HB and they gave me a Natel Easy sim for free with the 20 CHF credit. I'm only going to be here for 6 days so the credit should last long enough for use everyday.
I ran a speedtest and almost always get the advertised 1mbps download and 0.5mbps upload. It's fast enough for email and www, but a little frustrating for video and photos.
My work colleagues all use my connection using the personal hotspot feature. The most I could get were 5 on at once.
I ran a speedtest and almost always get the advertised 1mbps download and 0.5mbps upload. It's fast enough for email and www, but a little frustrating for video and photos.
My work colleagues all use my connection using the personal hotspot feature. The most I could get were 5 on at once.
Dec 28, 2013, 3:55 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,189
Buying a Prepaid SIM card for Switzerland
I made the mistake of buying a SIM card when I arrived in Europe for a one week trip last summer. I had gone to Berlin. I want to buy the prepaid SIM before I leave for our trip.
This time, we'll be based in Geneva for a week in May and want to get a prepaid SIM card BEFORE I leave so I don't waste time looking to buy a SIM card when we arrive and overpaying for it. I've been to Geneva a few times and don't remember stores like Saturn (a big-box German electronics store) in Geneva.
The prepaid SIM can be a micro SIM (for an iPhone 5S) or a regular sized one (for a Motorola Droid 2). I need at least 2 GB of data and some voice minutes for calls.
Please advise. Thanks.
This time, we'll be based in Geneva for a week in May and want to get a prepaid SIM card BEFORE I leave so I don't waste time looking to buy a SIM card when we arrive and overpaying for it. I've been to Geneva a few times and don't remember stores like Saturn (a big-box German electronics store) in Geneva.
The prepaid SIM can be a micro SIM (for an iPhone 5S) or a regular sized one (for a Motorola Droid 2). I need at least 2 GB of data and some voice minutes for calls.
Please advise. Thanks.
Dec 29, 2013, 12:24 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
Swisscom and Orange both offer very attractive prepaid voice and/or data plans. And at least at zurich airport, kiosks at the terminal. Assume same available in geneva airport.
Jul 14, 2014, 1:59 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
As example, iPhone 5s from Verizon is factory unlocked. TMO sell them unlocked conditional on a)full payment; b) 45-90 waiting period. Not sure about AT&T. Older models require manual unlock, either via internet third party or the provider.
Jul 14, 2014, 2:09 pm
#9
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Posts: 38,326
If the iPhone is unlocked, not a problem. What model iPhone, who is your carrier?
As example, iPhone 5s from Verizon is factory unlocked. TMO sell them unlocked conditional on a)full payment; b) 45-90 waiting period. Not sure about AT&T. Older models require manual unlock, either via internet third party or the provider.
As example, iPhone 5s from Verizon is factory unlocked. TMO sell them unlocked conditional on a)full payment; b) 45-90 waiting period. Not sure about AT&T. Older models require manual unlock, either via internet third party or the provider.
Jul 14, 2014, 2:42 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
You can either pick up second used unlocked phone on-line [CL, eBay, amazon.com] or rent one. If you buy, beware of bad IMEI's. CL/eBay often have 'stolen' phones that won't activate properly. Maybe a tekkie friend can help you - PM if you need more help.
Jul 18, 2014, 4:59 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1
Using my unlocked iPhone in Switzerland
Hi, I late Sep I have a 2 week business trip to Switzerland. I have an unlocked iPhone 5 on the (currently on the US ATT network). i wanted to know if it's better to purchase the international Sim card from OneSimCard online from home (US) and bring with me to Switzerland or if its cheaper to get the Sim card plus voice/text/data package from Swisscom at Zurich Airport when I get there. Any advice?
Thanks, Mike
Thanks, Mike
Jul 18, 2014, 6:14 pm
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,300
do you need more that data service?
for example swisscom:
24h Speed+ (5GB) - 5FR
in german: https://www.swisscom.ch/de/privatkun...-aufladen.html
EDIT: http://www.swisscom.ch/en/residentia...asy-smart.html
Price for data transmision 2.-/day
for example swisscom:
24h Speed+ (5GB) - 5FR
in german: https://www.swisscom.ch/de/privatkun...-aufladen.html
EDIT: http://www.swisscom.ch/en/residentia...asy-smart.html
Price for data transmision 2.-/day
Jul 18, 2014, 8:54 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
I'd probably get it at ZRH. That way, if you have any questions, you'll be able to ask them in person. It'll be a very easy process and there are a few different carriers in the main shopping area of the airport, if you want to comparison shop.
Jul 19, 2014, 4:41 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
There are two kiosks that I shopped at the airport upon arrival my only visit to Zurich in 2012. One was the Swisscom store, the other Orange [?]. Swisscom store set me up in minutes. More details on prepaid cards here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...itzerland.html