Starting in Switzerland SIM
Feb 7, 2019, 11:22 pm
#1
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Starting in Switzerland SIM
I see the threads re Switzerland and multi country EU SIMs. But we are starting in Switzerland. Then France and Italy. If my teens don’t have access to data and texting, our trip will be less than ideal. And I’d love to have this wrapped up before we go, as in have the SIMs in hand in US. I’m happy to pay a bit more for that convenience.
I see EE is good, but I’m not sure how that would work if we first try to activate in Switzerland. And I’d love to just get a 2GB plan from the get go so no dealing with topping up. Any suggestions?
I see EE is good, but I’m not sure how that would work if we first try to activate in Switzerland. And I’d love to just get a 2GB plan from the get go so no dealing with topping up. Any suggestions?
Feb 10, 2019, 12:35 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PDX
Posts: 908
Actually, the sim would register in the USA, and you would receive a message from EE regarding the roaming rates. When you sign up for a PAYG plan and top it up, it would wait until you make the first call or start using data in the free roaming zone (mostly EU), which includes Switzerland. I haven't tried using it in Italy, but in France it had a very good reception and LTE speed. If by any chance you are taking A40 and N205 to go to Italy, you will have a very good reception along the motorway and nearby towns. I got a Ł15/5Gb PAYG plan and was extremely happy with it in Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland and Czech Republic. Highly recommend this UK carrier.
Feb 10, 2019, 9:18 am
#3
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Actually, the sim would register in the USA, and you would receive a message from EE regarding the roaming rates. When you sign up for a PAYG plan and top it up, it would wait until you make the first call or start using data in the free roaming zone (mostly EU), which includes Switzerland. I haven't tried using it in Italy, but in France it had a very good reception and LTE speed. If by any chance you are taking A40 and N205 to go to Italy, you will have a very good reception along the motorway and nearby towns. I got a Ł15/5Gb PAYG plan and was extremely happy with it in Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland and Czech Republic. Highly recommend this UK carrier.
EDIT: I see your posts in another Europe sim thread. Looks like US cc is now a problem. I can get one on eBay with a preloaded plan (or voucher) so I don’t have to worry about cc. But now I’m wondering if Brexit will cause UK sims to charge roaming in EU. Ugh!
We were going to take the train from a nice to Venice. Hopefully signal will be good bc longish journey.
Last edited by Stgermainparis; Feb 10, 2019 at 9:48 am
Feb 11, 2019, 1:42 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PDX
Posts: 908
But now I’m wondering if Brexit will cause UK sims to charge roaming in EU. Ugh!
Feb 11, 2019, 7:53 am
#5
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Correct. They do say that, bit in reality the Sim will be successfully registered on partner networks ( T-moT-Mo or AT&T). When I put the Sim in the phone for the first time, it took ~5 mins to register on the network, but after that, it was almost immediate (the location and local cellular networks are cached).
Probably not. I'd give it at least 2 years past the upcoming March deadline.
Probably not. I'd give it at least 2 years past the upcoming March deadline.
Feb 11, 2019, 8:32 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
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I have tried to answer on this thread three times, and each time the thread refreshed and I lost what I have written. I have a Three sim card. I bought it off eBay. Have used it in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and at the end of the month in France. I topped mine off in the states with 20 pounds. Here is one top-up link.https://www.mobiletopup.co.uk/. They do charge a premium for this service. Here is another link this is the one I used. Home | UK SIMSUK SIMS | Sim Cards | Top Up. I am sure that EE will work the same as Three. When you get to the country the phone will work.
Feb 11, 2019, 9:57 am
#7
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I have tried to answer on this thread three times, and each time the thread refreshed and I lost what I have written. I have a Three sim card. I bought it off eBay. Have used it in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and at the end of the month in France. I topped mine off in the states with 20 pounds. Here is one top-up link.https://www.mobiletopup.co.uk/. They do charge a premium for this service. Here is another link this is the one I used. Home | UK SIMSUK SIMS | Sim Cards | Top Up. I am sure that EE will work the same as Three. When you get to the country the phone will work.
Three
Benefit from the simple 3-2-1 plan where calls cost 3p/min, text at 2p per text and 1p/Mb of data.
Choose best value add ons such as All-In-One 10 and All-In-One 15 after you top up.
All-In-One 10: 500MB data,100 minutes,3000 texts valid for one month use.
All-In-One 15: unlimited data,300 minutes,3000 texts valid for one month use.
To Top Up:
Dial 444 from your phone and follow the instructions to top up using a voucher.
Check Balance:
Dial 444 from your handset.
Feb 12, 2019, 8:39 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI,IAD,DCA
Programs: UA gold, Hyatt Plat Marriott silver,Hilton Gold, PC Plat., SPG Gold.,Hertz Gold, Global Entry
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That is correct. They email you a voucher number. Then you add it to the phone with the sim card inside. That is all you need to do. Look at three again. I have a pay as you go plan. It does not charge me for data. Just for text and voice. There is a 30-day plan that gives you 20gb of data and something like 3000 minutes for 20 pounds. It will be nice as your kids will use data a lot.
The minutes are good if you get separated from the wife or kids for some reason. Your money never expires on pre-pay, but on the 30-day plan, it does expire after 30 days.
The minutes are good if you get separated from the wife or kids for some reason. Your money never expires on pre-pay, but on the 30-day plan, it does expire after 30 days.
Feb 12, 2019, 10:13 am
#9
Original Poster
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That is correct. They email you a voucher number. Then you add it to the phone with the sim card inside. That is all you need to do. Look at three again. I have a pay as you go plan. It does not charge me for data. Just for text and voice. There is a 30-day plan that gives you 20gb of data and something like 3000 minutes for 20 pounds. It will be nice as your kids will use data a lot.
The minutes are good if you get separated from the wife or kids for some reason. Your money never expires on pre-pay, but on the 30-day plan, it does expire after 30 days.
The minutes are good if you get separated from the wife or kids for some reason. Your money never expires on pre-pay, but on the 30-day plan, it does expire after 30 days.
Feb 12, 2019, 4:49 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PDX
Posts: 908
I am just wondering if it's possible to top up with a voucher online. If the voucher can only be redeemed by dialing a number from the phone, then it wouldn't be possible to top it up from abroad unless you already have some funds for roaming calls. It's probably not a big deal since you can do it right after landing in EU, but still...
Feb 12, 2019, 8:05 pm
#11
Original Poster
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Posts: 5,940
I am just wondering if it's possible to top up with a voucher online. If the voucher can only be redeemed by dialing a number from the phone, then it wouldn't be possible to top it up from abroad unless you already have some funds for roaming calls. It's probably not a big deal since you can do it right after landing in EU, but still...
Feb 12, 2019, 8:47 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PDX
Posts: 908
Originally Posted by Stgermainparis
Or the sim will allow a bit of data for this purpose?