Contents 1 General Information 2 ORANGE network 2.1 Orange 2.1.1 Startup cost 2.1.2 Orange Me PrePay 2.1.3 Orange World PrePay 2.1.4 SIM sizes 2.1.5 Tethering 2.1.6 Coverage 2.2 Coop Mobile 2.2.1 Startup cost 2.2.2 Data feature packs 2.2.3 Availability 2.2.4 SIM sizes 2.2.5 Voice calls: special 2.2.6 Tethering 2.2.7 Coverage 2.3 ok.-mobile 2.3.1 Startup Cost 2.3.2 Internet Usage Fees 2.3.3 Availability 2.3.4 Configuration 2.3.5 Mobiles 2.3.6 SIM Sizes 2.3.7 Tethering 2.3.8 Coverage 3 SUNRISE network 3.1 Sunrise 3.1.1 Sunrise free 3.1.2 T@ke Away PrePaid 3.1.3 Language 3.1.4 Availability 3.1.5 SIM sizes 3.1.6 Tethering 3.1.7 Coverage 3.2 Aldi mobile 3.2.1 Startup Cost 3.2.2 Data feature packs 3.2.3 Availability 3.2.4 SIM sizes 3.2.5 Tethering 3.2.6 Coverage 3.3 Yallo 3.3.1 Startup Cost 3.3.2 Data feature packs 3.3.3 Availability 3.3.4 SIM sizes 3.3.5 Tethering 3.3.6 Coverage 3.4 Lebara mobile 3.4.1 Startup Cost 3.4.2 Data feature packs 3.4.3 SIM sizes 3.4.4 Coverage 4 SWISSCOM network 4.1 Swisscom 4.1.1 Default data rate 4.1.2 Data feature packs 4.1.3 Fair use policy 4.1.4 Availability 4.1.5 Sim sizes 4.1.6 Tethering 4.1.7 Coverage 4.1.8 Prepaid for "iPad" 4.2 M-Budget mobile 4.2.1 Startup Cost 4.2.2 Data feature packs 4.2.3 Availability 4.2.4 SIM sizes 4.2.5 Tethering 4.2.6 Coverage 5 Comments

General InformationEdit

There are 3 network operators in switzerland: (in alphabetical order)

• Orange
• Sunrise
• Swisscom

The main operators have their own prepaid offers but budget resellers win mostly in tests & comparisons by consumers organisations.

According to the reputable tech magazine "connect", Swisscom has the best net and coverage overall, Orange comes second very closely and has better data coverage in the larger cities and Sunrise ranks third. Link (PDF, german only)

ORANGE networkEdit

OrangeEdit

Startup costEdit

In an "Orange Center" you will get a Prepay Sim Pack for 10 Euros, including 10 Euros of initial credit. Bring your ID with you for registering.

Orange Internet Everywhere PrePaid for use with laptops: 49 CHF for dongle, includes first 3 days use within first three months.

Orange Internet Everywhere Day for use with laptops: 199 CHF for dongle (or 1 CHF / 24 Month)

Orange Me PrePayEdit

• Mobile Internet Day = 2 CHF / day, unlimited usage (fair use = 500 MB / month with full bandwidth)
• Mobile Internet Plus = 10 CHF / month, includes 300 MB, additional Traffic 1 MB = 0,10 CHF
• Mobile Internet Max = 20 CHF / month, includes 1000 MB, additional Traffic 1 MB = 0,10 CHF

When topping up your credit you get a free bonus. How long the bonus lasts will depend on the amount of topping up (10 CHF = 7 days, 20 CHF = 14 days, 30 CHF = 30 days). You can choose between three types of boni:

1. Phone free within switzerland
2. Send up to 20 SMS / day free (switzerland or abroad)
3. Free mobile internet within switzerland (500 MB / month with full bandwidth)

Orange World PrePayEdit

Internet costs are the same as above, but this tariff may serve you better than "Me PrePay" if you plan to phone home as well. Calling into the so-called "focus-countries" (includes Europe, USA, Australia, ...) is way cheaper at 0,05 CHF/min to fixed line and 0,25 CHF/min to mobile phones within these countries. When topping up credit you can choose between the following boni (10 CHF = 7 days, 20 CHF = 14 days, 30 CHF = 30 days)

1. 5 minutes / day of calling abroad without costs.
2. 5 SMS / day free
3. Free calling within switzerland

SIM sizesEdit

Both mini SIM and micro SIM available.

TetheringEdit

Yes. Mobile Data and Internet-Tethering APN needs to be changed to "click"

CoverageEdit

According to a test from "connect" (01/2012) Orange is best when it comes to smartphone data. Voice coverage/quality is not a strenght of Orange.

Orange is currently upgrading its GSM netwok with EDGE. Until mid 2012 the big cities should have EDGE and until the end of 2012 EDGE should be available everywhere. Orange plans to install HSPA too. Make sure to check out UMTS and HSPA coverage of your travel destination beforehand: http://www1.orange.ch/de/support/coverage/swiss-coverage/

In addition, Orange tests the 4G-standard LTE in Spring 2013, by the end of 2013 should 6 cities be covered by 4G (LTE).

Coop MobileEdit

Startup costEdit

SIM Card: 15 CHF, includes 15CHF prepaid balance. Bring your ID with you for initial registering

See link for more information (in german).

Data feature packsEdit

CHF 9.90 for surfing 300 MB / month.

• Send a free SMS saying START DATA300 to the number 5155. The data flatrate will be activated.
• This data option is valid for one month and will NOT be automatically prolonged. If you want to continue to use the data option you will have to send again a free SMS saying START DATA300 to the number 5155 so that the data option will be activated for another month.
• The data pack is limited to data traffic within Switzerland (orange network).
• At the moment it is not possible to send a notification as soon the limit of 300 MB is reached. Alternatively you can call CoopMobile Hotline on 0800 780 782 to check your used MB (==> follow "Prepay-Kontostand").
• You must have a prepraid credit of at least CHF 9.90 to activate this option.

3 MONTHS FOR FREE PROMOTION (300 MB/month)

You can get a 3-month free trial of this data service:

• Send a free SMS saying START DATAPROMO to the number 5155.
• You will receive a confirmation SMS from CoopMobile that the data promotion (= 3 months free surfing) is active. As soon as you get this sms you can start surfing for free.

Important:

• You can activate this promotion only one time (1 x).
• The free Internet surfing is limited to a flatrate of 300 MB per month. If you exceed this amount of data, there will be CHF 0.10 deducted for every MB from your prepaid credit.
• The promotion is limited to data traffic within Switzerland (orange network).
• At the moment it is not possible to send a notification as soon the limit of 300 MB is reached. Alternatively you can call CoopMobile Hotline on 0800 780 782 to check your used MB (==> follow "Prepay-Kontostand").
• Three months after activating you will receive a SMS asking you whether you want to opt for the DATA300 option (300 MB/month for CHF 9.90) or not.
• If you do NOT want to activate the DATA300 option you will pay CHF 2.-- per day for surfing (after the 3 months promotion periode).

See link for more information (in german).

AvailabilityEdit

You can get the SIM at any Coop Supermarkt with Kiosk, Coop City Warenhaus, Coop Bau+Hobby Markt, Fust and Interdiscount.

Activation of SIM takes 1 to 2 business days!

SIM sizesEdit

Package comes with mini SIM. Since Mai 2012 the package is compatible with micro SIM too.

Voice calls: specialEdit

CoopMobile prepaid customers call for free to all other CoopMobile customers and also to all Orange customers (up to 3'000 minutes per month).

TetheringEdit

Yes. Mobile Data and Internet-Tethering APN needs to be changed to "click"

CoverageEdit

Also on Orange's network - Details see in Orange Section

ok.-mobileEdit

Introduced in December 2010, this is a prepaid product using the Orange network (see above).

More information can be found on ok-mobile.ch. There is also a Facebook "fan page", where many users and some friendly support folks hang out and exchange information, mostly in German.

Startup CostEdit

SIM cards are CHF 15, with an initial balance of CHF 15.

Internet Usage FeesEdit

Internet usage is CHF .10 per 20 KB -or- CHF 7 per month for 300 MB -or- CHF 15 per month for 1 GB.

AvailabilityEdit

Mobiles, SIM cards, and refills are sold through newsagent's chains, in particular "k kiosk" and "Press & Books". These can be found at most train stations, which makes it attractive for travelers. Refill over the Internet doesn't seem possible at this time.

They promise that activation should be done in an hour. You can speed up the process by printing out the registration form at home, fill it out, and bring it to the outlet.

ConfigurationEdit

APN name: click

MobilesEdit

In a few larger k kiosk stores you can buy mobiles. Currently there are two types: a simple one for CHF 20, and a smartphone for CHF 100. The smartphone is a ZTE "Blade" Android phone branded as (Orange) San Francisco. It ships with Android 2.1 with some Orange-specific modifications. E.g. the Google Talk client was removed. The mobiles are SIM-locked to the Orange (Switzerland) network for 24 months.

SIM SizesEdit

As far as I know, only standard (large) size SIMs are sold. So bring scissors if you have an iPad.

TetheringEdit

Yes. Mobile Data and Internet-Tethering APN needs to be changed to "click"

CoverageEdit

Also on Orange's network - details see in Orange Section

SUNRISE networkEdit

SunriseEdit

Sunrise freeEdit

19.90 CHF for SIM card. With unlimited surf option for 1 CHF per day (speed is limited to 256 Kbps). Days you don't use your phone for data, voice or sms, there's no charge. To check your balance, dial *121# on your phone and press the call (green) button.

Data options:

Sunrise Surf

• 7.50 CHF per month; including 250 MB per month
• to activate: send a SMS with SURF to 5522
• to cancel: send a SMS with SURF STOP to 5522

Sunrise Surf XL

• 19.00 CHF per month; including 1 GB per month
• to activate: send a SMS with SURFXL to 5522
• to cancel: send a SMS with SURFXL STOP to 5522

The surf option is renewed automatically when the data volume is used up or after one month (which ever occurs first) To find out how much data of the surf option remains, dial *136# on your phone and press the call (green) button.

T@ke Away PrePaidEdit

• T@ke Away PrePaid - 3 CHF / hour, unlimited usage. Plus 19.90 CHF for the SIM card.

• T@ke Away basic (12 Months)- 3.50 CHF / day, unlimited usage (without subscription free, they call it a subscription). Drawback of this option is the high initial price: the SIM card is 40 CHF.

LanguageEdit

To change the language, dial *141# on your phone and press the call (green) button.

AvailabilityEdit

Online at sunrise.ch

SIM sizesEdit

mini-SIM (2FF), micro-SIM (3FF) and nano-SIM (4FF) available.

TetheringEdit

Yes.

CoverageEdit

Not yet up to Swisscom in the country side but generally still very good. UMTS speed available depending on your location (best in and around cities. GPRS/EDGE performance poor since only sunrise uses it's GSM 900 frequencies also for UMTS (see http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schweizer_Mobilfunkmarkt#Sunrise). Make sure to check out UMTS coverage of your travel destination beforehand: http://maps.sunrise.ch/coverage.php

Aldi mobileEdit

This is a prepaid offer using Sunrise as network.

Startup CostEdit

Starter package costs CHF 19.99 and includes prepaid credit of CHF 20. Bring your ID with you for initial registering.

https://www.aldi-mobile.ch/home.html

Data feature packsEdit

Surf option "@web": CHF 9.90 for 400 MB/month

• Send a free SMS saying START SURF to the number 4466. The data flatrate will be activated.
• This data option is valid for one month and will NOT be automatically prolonged. You will receive a notification SMS after 30 days. If you want to continue to use the data option you will have to send again a free SMS saying START SURF to the number 4466 so that the data option will be activated for another month.
• The data pack is limited to data traffic within Switzerland (sunrise network).
• You will receive a notification as soon the limit of 400 MB is reached. Alternatively you can call *147*# to find out your credit.
• You must have a prepraid credit of at least CHF 9.90 to activate this option.

W A R N I N G : If you exceed the monthly amount of data, there will be CHF 0.10 deducted for every 20 KB (!) from your prepaid credit. (You will be warned in advance by SMS when exceeding the monthly limit.)

AvailabilityEdit

Starter packages in all ALDI-SUISSE stores ([1]). Initial set-up after registering can take up to 72 hours.

Refill prepaid credit:

• Refill cards available in all ALDI-SUISSE stores (CHF 20.-- / CHF 30.-- / CHF 50.--)
• Online by aldi account manager ([2])
• SBB (Swiss Railways) ticket dispensers

SIM sizesEdit

mini-SIM (2FF)

TetheringEdit

CoverageEdit

Also on Sunrise network - Warning as in Sunrise Section apply!

YalloEdit

Startup CostEdit

Starter package costs CHF 20.-- and includes prepaid credit of CHF 20.--- Bring your ID with you for initial registering.

https://www.yallo.ch/kp/dyn/web/pub/home/home.do

Data feature packsEdit

6 CHF for 150 Megabyte/Month automatically renewed after 30 days or when 150 Megabyte is reached.

'12 CHF for 500 Megabyte'/Month automatically renewed after 30 days or when 500 Megabyte is reached.

Very cheap for calling abroad, starting with 0.03 CHF for a minute/fixnet to neighbour countries and many other.

AvailabilityEdit

Can be bought at any Sunrise store or Swiss Post shop

SIM sizesEdit

Available in both micro SIM and standard size

TetheringEdit

CoverageEdit

Also on Sunrise network - Warning as in Sunrise Section apply!

Lebara mobileEdit

Startup CostEdit

SIM-Card is free ( https://www.lebara.ch/gratis-sim )

Data feature packsEdit

CHF 4.90 / Month for 130MB ; CHF0.10/MB afterwards ( Surf Tarif )

CHF 14.90 / Month for 1GB full speed - 32Kbit/s afterwards ( Flat Tarif )

Availability

SIM sizesEdit

Tethering

CoverageEdit

It looks like this MVNO uses the Sunrise network (NOT Swisscom). Warning as in Sunrise Section apply!

SWISSCOM networkEdit

SwisscomEdit

See the report Traveling to Switzerland: How to get online?

Default data rateEdit

1 CHF / MB, maximum of 5 CHF / day, see link for details

Data feature packsEdit

There are two price plans to surf: Natel Easy Smart only CHF2 / day, see Natel Easy Smart

• A day is the 24 hour period from midnight to 23:59 the same day

• So surfing from your mobile from 2340 until 0020 the next day would incur a charge of CHF 4

• First SIM card costs CHF 19.90 and has CHF 20 credit

• Days you do not use the phone for data (or for voice or SMS), there is no charge

• Unlimited data plan, with max. network speeds (Download: 1Mbit/s, Upload 0,5Mbit/s)

Or

For more network speed, check Natel Data Easy

• Unlimited data plan, with max. network speeds (Download: 7,2Mbit/s, Upload 2Mbit/s)

Fair use policyEdit

May reduce speed after 2 GB. More accurate numbers may be found on this german page: link.

AvailabilityEdit

Prepaid cards must be registered in a Swisscom sales outlet. Please take along a valid passport or identity card (a driving licence is not accepted) to register in person.

You can add credit to your SIM card at all major gas stations or using a credit card online at : http://www.swisscom.ch/res/mobile/tarife/aufladen/index.htm

Sim sizesEdit

Both mini SIM and micro SIM available.

TetheringEdit

Yes.

CoverageEdit

probably the best in coverage and quality.

Prepaid for "iPad"Edit

CHF 19,90 gives you a SIM + CHF 20,- credit. See: http://www.swisscom.ch/res/internet/mobile-unlimited/tarife-ipad/index.htm

NATEL® data easy flex
	Option 100 MB (standard)	Option 300 MB	Option 2 GB
Who is it for?	For occasional surfers	For daily surfers	For frequent surfers
Data volumes	100 MB / calendar day	300 MB / 30 days	2 GB / 30 days
Price	5.-	19.-	39.-

M-Budget mobileEdit

Startup CostEdit

SIM-Card costs 19.80 (includes only CHF 15.- prepaid credit!)

http://www.migros.ch/de/supermarkt/m-budget/m-budget-mobile-prepaid.html

Data feature packsEdit

CHF 0.28 / MB (max. CHF 5.00 / day)

currently no flat rate option pack available...

AvailabilityEdit

SIM sizesEdit

TetheringEdit

CoverageEdit