Basics
Switzerland has three network operators:
- Swisscom
- Sunrise
- Salt Mobile (formerly Orange)
Coverage
Sunrise and Swisscom both offer a very good mobile network coverage and performance. While Swisscom is generally more expensive, Sunrise often offers lower rates and Salt Mobile retains a good level at 3rd position.
- Swisscom: 99.8% of the area in 2G, 96% in 3G and up to 98% in 4G/LTE
- Sunrise: 99% of 2G, 99% of 3G and up to 98% in 4G/LTE
- Salt: 99% of 2G, >90% of 3G and 94% in 4G/LTE
On Sunrise you should know, that most of its 3G antennas are based on the 900 MHz frequency. This is rather unusual in Europe as most providers in Europe use the 2100 MHz band like Swisscom and Salt, but 900 MHz is still supported by most mobile phones.
On 4G/LTE Swisscom and Salt offer LTE speeds up to 150 Mbit/s, while Sunrise offers up to 100 Mbit/s. LTE is on 800, 1800 and 2600 MHz frequency band. On Swisscom the 2100 MHz band is used additionaly for LTE. 4G/LTE is given out from all operators and most of their MVNOs on prepaid:
According to the P3/Connect network test in 2017 all three networks are generally on a high standard. Swisscom and Sunrise were tied for the top with Salt slightly behind. Average 4G/LTE download speeds are generally high with 28 Mbit/s across all networks according to the crowdsourced report of OpenSignal in 2017.
5G has started in 2019 by Swisscom and Sunrise on 700 MHz and 2600 MHz. It already covers towns and some rural areas. It's not sold to mobile customers so far, but as fixed wireless mobile broadband for stationary use.
All three providers have announced to switch off 2G by the end of the decade. Sunrise plans to stop at the end of 2018, while Swisscom and Salt plan to decommission 2G in 2020 and are already refarming some spectrum to 4G/LTE.
Regulations
Before you can use Swiss prepaid services you will need to show some identification. So bring your passport or national photo ID and fill in forms at the point of sale for registration. The activation of the starter pack can take some hours to be processed.
EU roaming
European providers treat Switzerland very differently: a few charge the same as within the EU zone, some limit usage in Switzerland, but many add a substantial surcharge on consumptions while roaming in Switzerland. Better check your EU/EEA provider first before use, or buy a local SIM instead.
For the same reason, roaming rates on Swiss SIM cards in EU countries are still very high (only Lycamobile offers plans that include EU roaming, with limits). That's why in most cases, you should buy a separate SIM card for EU countries instead. EU roaming options of Swiss providers are given for every provider below. Beware of the excessive default roaming rate. However, both Swisscom and Salt offer roaming at domestic Swiss rates in the small country of Liechtenstein.
The offers below are sorted according to the networks, each beginning with the network operator first, followed by their resellers/MVNOs.
SWISSCOM network
Swisscom is still the biggest provider in the country giving out 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE in up to 150 Mbit/s on prepaid. As incumbent provider with the largest market share, they have the highest prices currently in the Swiss mobile market.
Swisscom
Swisscom's prepaid SIM cards used to be called Natel Easy for decades. They are still known under this name, but have been rebranded to inONE mobile prepaid in October 2017.
Availability
Their prepaid product is a SIM for calls, texts and data. Starter pack costs CHF 19.90 and has CHF 20 credit (plus 100 MB for first use) online or offline at Swisscom sales outlet (shop locator). Mini-, micro- and nano-SIMs are all available or can be changed in a shop free of charge to a nano-SIM.
Top-ups are available at all major service stations, SBB ticket machines, Coop and Migros supermarkets, kiosks or using a credit card online.where you can buy additional credits from CHF 10. Check your balance by *130#.
If the SIM card is not used for 12 months, it becomes invalid, the remaining credit will expire and the number will be recycled to a new user.
Outgoing calls, sending text messages, sending and receiving MMS messages and any use of mobile data are considered as using the SIM card.
So using the card at least once in 12 months is recommended for keeping the sim alive.
Default data rate
They offer "unlimited" data for CHF 2 per day limited by a FUP shown below. A day is the 24-hour period from midnight to midnight on the next calendar day. On days when you don't use the phone for data (or for voice or SMS), there is no charge.
Their FUP reduces speed to 256 kbit/s after 10 GB have been consumed within a month. This official policy is enforced strictly. After this you have to wait for a new month or buy one of their data packages shown below. Network speeds are capped at 2 Mbit/s, unless you buy a data package.
Data feature packages
These data packages are offered:
|
Data |
Validity |
Price |
max. Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 GB | 24 hours | CHF 5 | 50 Mbit/s |
| 500 MB | 30 days | CHF 8.90 | 10 Mbit/s |
| 1.5 GB | 30 days | CHF 19.90 | 10 Mbit/s |
To activate packages go to your personal account. Check data balance by texting "STATUS" to 444 free of charge.
EU roaming
The default rate is CHF 4.50 for 10 MB. You can activate for the EU, Andorra, and Monaco these data packages valid for 30 days:
- 200 MB: CHF 4.90
- 1 GB: CHF 14.90
- 3 GB: CHF 39.90
More info
- Tethering is allowed
- Swisscom is useable without extra roaming costs in Liechtenstein
- APN: gprs.swisscom.ch
- Username and Password: internet
- Website in English: https://www.swisscom.ch/en/residential.html
Lycamobile
Lycamobile from the UK is the main competitor of Lebara on the ethno market. As a MVNO it changed in 2011 from Orange/Salt to the Swisscom network on 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE.
Availability
The starter pack is sold in a lot of stores in the country (locator) or online for free. Make sure your date of birth is written correctly in the application form: you'll need it to register online.
Reloads can be made in their stores or using an international credit card online. They stay valid for 3 months only. To check your account balance: *131#, to change language: +4177 900 01 31 (for CHF 0.19 per call) and to show your number:*132#
Data feature packages
Data outside these packages or overuse is billed at CHF 0.10 per MB. These monthly packages are offered:
|
CH Data |
Price |
Activation |
|---|---|---|
| 500 MB | CHF 3.25 | *139*95490# |
| 1 GB | CHF 5.90 | *139*91490# |
| 2 GB | CHF 9.90 | *139*92490# |
| 5 GB | CHF 13.90 | *139*94490# |
| 10 GB | CHF 21.90 | *139*93490# |
| unlimited* | CHF 39 | *139*96490# |
(*)- First 100 GB at 4G speeds, then speed throtted to 256 kbps. Data packs renew automatically after one month and must be cancelled by using *190#. You can only buy each package once in a 30-day period. There is no warning when your package runs out. To check data amounts, dial *136#. Note, that there is no included data roaming in the EU with these data packages.
For more data, you can add-ons, valid for the rest of the running time of the base package:
- 1 GB: CHF 5.90, activation: *139*602#
- 3 GB: CHF 12.90, activation: *139*603#
Combo packages
Lycamobile offers these all in one packages called Hello Swiss:
| Package:
Hello Swiss |
CH
Data |
CH Voice
and SMS |
EU Roaming | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 3 GB | 500 mins,
500 SMS |
n/a | CHF 19 | *139*1001# |
| M | 10 GB | unlimited | 200 MB, 1000 mins & SMS | CHF 39 (#) | *139*1002# |
| L | 20 GB | unlimited | 1 GB, 1000 mins & SMS | CHF 59 (#) | *139*1005# |
| XL | 30 GB | unlimited | 1.5 GB, 1000 mins & SMS | CHF 69 (#) | *139*1003# |
| UL | 70 GB | unlimited | 2 GB, 1000 mins & SMS | CHF 59 | *139*1004# |
If overuse data, speed will be throtted to 256 kbps.
(#) - These packages are discounted by 50% when you purchase them for the first time with a new SIM card. Voice is to Switzerland and EU countries.
EU roaming
Some all-in-one packages includes roaming allowcances. For roaming in the EU/EEA countries you can also buy these special roaming packages:
- Home Data S: 100 MB for 7 days: CHF 10 - activation: *139*7001#
- Home Data M: 300 MB for 30 days: CHF 25 - activation: *139*7002#
- Home Data L: 1 GB for 30 days: CHF 49 - activation: *139*7003#
More infos
- Tethering is not possible unless you have rooted Android or jailbroken iPhone. VoIP is possible.
- Like most prepaid cards, you cannot send SMS to premium providers (like to pay by phone for your public transport ticket)
- APN: data.lycamobile.ch
- Username: lmch (that's lowercase L, not capital i)
- Password: plus
- Website in English: http://www.lycamobile.ch/en
Mucho mobile
Mucho mobile is another MVNO aimed at visitors and foreign workers offering discounted IDD calls. It operates on the network of Swisscom in 2G, 3G and 4G, only with speeds up to 7.2 Mbits.
Availability
Their SIM card is sold for CHF 10 including CHF 5 balance. They are available at post offices, k-kiosks, Naville and Relay outlets. Press&Books is still mentioned on website as sales point, but they don't offer SIMs anymore. K-kiosks take 24-48 hours to activate the SIM, while post offices activate immediately. Both post and k-kiosks have only combined micro/standard SIMs, so if you need nano be prepared to cut. Nano SIMs are only available online for 15 CHF.
Refills are available from various kiosks. It's also available from SBB (train) ticket vending machines. You have to press "Further services" -> "Prepaid refill" -> "further options" -> "Mucho" to get a refill code. Also available in online account management. Default password is your PUK (written on SIM card holder).
Data feature packages
Data outside the package or overuse is charged at CHF 0.08 per MB. To activate this default rate send "START DATA" to 444. Beware that it also gets activated in case of expired or used up packages. More packages are available now:
- 2 GB for 30 days: 9.90 CHF, send "Start DATAMINI" to 778 then "1GBGRATIS" to 778
- 5 GB for 30 days: 19.90 CHF, send "Start DATAMAXI" to 778 then "2GBGRATIS" to 778
- 10 GB for 30 days, 29.90 CHF, send "Start DATAMEGA" to 778 then "4GBGRATIS" to 778
To check credit and data amounts, text 'STATUS' to 444. To stop auto-renewal text 'STOP DATAPACK' to 444.
EU roaming
Roaming in the EU stays at high CHF 4.50 per MB, but the following packages are available:
- 1 GB for 180 days: 14.00 CHF, send "Start DATAMINIROAM" to 778
- 3 GB for 180 days: 29.00 CHF, send "Start DATAMEDIOROAM" to 778
- 5 GB for 180 days: 49.00 CHF, send "Start DATAMAXIROAM" to 778
This is right now the cheapest roaming option in Switzerland for the EU on prepaid. Better buy an EU SIM card for EU countries.
More info
- APN: internet
- Tethering and VoIP work
- Website in English: http://muchomobile.ch/index.cfm/en/mucho-mobile
M-Budget
M-Budget is the MVNO of one of the major retail chains in the country called Migros. It operates on the network of Swisscom .on 2G and 3G only, but not 4G/LTE for prepaid. Their offer is quite outdated now.
Availability
The SIM Card is sold at CHF 19.80, including CHF 15 balance and 100 MB of data. It comes in triple format. Available only in Migros supermarkets and M-Electronics stores. Store Locator. Be sure to be on the new tariff line called M-Budget Mobile Plus. To change, send free text containg "MBUDGET PLUS" to 444.
Data feature packages
Data outside the package or overuse is charged at CHF 0.28 per MB. Billing interval per 100 KB. 10 MB per month are included for free. These combo packages are offered for 30 days:
- 300 MB, 30 mins, 30 SMS: CHF 9.80
- 1.5 GB: CHF 12.80
- 2 GB, 2000 mins, 2000 SMS: CHF 28.80
To check data amounts, send STATUS by SMS to 444. You will be warned by SMS when you have used 80 % of the data. Package will not auto-renew. Additional data can be purchased at 5 CHF per 500 MB for 30 days validity by sending "START DATAPACK" to 444.
More info
- APN: gprs.swisscom.ch
- Website in German, French and Italian: http://shop.m-budget.migros.ch
CoopMobile
CoopMobile of the retail group Coop is a MVNO in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE. It used to operate on the Salt network, but switched to Swisscom in January 2019.
Existing Coop Mobile customers remain with Salt by default under the new name of Salt Swiss Flat or can change to Swisscom network. For this they need a new SIM card with a new number, but can port their old one. All new CoopMobile SIM cards are from now on the Swisscom network. All information below is for the new SIM cards on Swisscom. It special feature is packages that don't expire.
Availability
CoopMobile starter sets are sold in all Coop supermarkets with kiosks, at the customer services desks in the Coop City departments stores und Coop Bau & Hobby hardware stores, in Fust and Interdiscount electronic stores (list here). Their starter pack is sold for CHF 19.80 with CHF 15 credit and 100 MB pre-loaded. 3-in-1 SIM sizes are available in stores. When buying in a Coop store, your activation may take up to 24 hours.
The SIM card will be blocked after 12 months without use. Then you have another 6 months to call their hotline to re-instate your SIM before it will be lost along with the loaded balance.
Top-ups of CHF 10, 30, 50 and 100 are available at the stores mentioned above or at Swiss Rail (SBB) ticket machines. To add by voucher, type *123*<voucher code>#. Balance check: *130#.
Data feature packages
For data they only offer this one package:
- 750 MB for CHF 9.90
This package doesn't expire and can be used as long as the SIM is active. Activation is by texting 'SURF' to 506. If you don't choose a package or have depleted one, data will be shut off.
EU roaming
For data in the EU they offer this only package:
- 250 MB for CHF 10
This package doesn't expire and can be used as long as the SIM is active. If you don't choose this option, you won't be able to use internet abroad.
Simply Mobile
Simply Mobile was a subsidiary of Swisscom with an own SIM card and portfolio. It started in 2017 for subscribers and from summer 2018 a prepaid option was offered too. In 2019 all its customers were migrated to the Coop Mobile and the Simply Mobile brand was closed. Coop adopted the scheme of packages that don't expire.
More info
- APN (for new Swisscom SIM cards): gprs.swisscom.ch
- Website in German, French and Italian: http://www.coopmobile.ch
SUNRISE network
Sunrise has moved to 2nd position in Switzerland with a very good preformance even topping Swisscom in some network tests in 2016. It gives a good standard with high speeds and wide coverage at the lowest prices currently on the market. For 3G your device should be capable of the 900 MHz frequency, as Sunrise uses it a lot. Be aware that unlike the other operators the country of Liechtenstein is treated as a foreign country by Sunrise as it doesn't have own coverage there. Sunrise offers currently the cheapest roaming options for the EU on prepaid.
Sunrise
Availability
Their prepaid SIM card called Sunrise prepaid is sold for 19.90 CHF with the same credit included. Available at www.sunrise.ch to be sent to a Swiss address or offline at their shops (store locator). All rates are on 2G, 3G and 4G too and Mini-SIM (2FF), micro-SIM (3FF) and nano-SIM (4FF) are available.
You can top-up by credit card online, in any Swiss post office, at ticket machines of Swiss Railways, in Sunrise stores and many supermarkets, service stations and kiosks. To check your balance, dial *121#.
Sunrise SIM cards stay valid for 12 months without any activity. In the following 6 months the SIM will be suspended, but you can regain number and credit when you contact them. After 18 months number and credit will be lost terminally.
In May 2017 they changed their prepaid portfolio totally. They now offer only two plans with 4G data:
- prepaid airbag
- prepaid unlimited
Existing customers can change by texting 'AIRBAG' or 'UNLIMITED' to 5522.
Prepaid Airbag
This is the plan for lower use. Data is charged by default at CHF 1.20 per day and includes 20 MB in high speed of max.100 Mbps and then throttled to 256 kbit/s. You can add one of these monthly packages for more high speed data:
| Package | Volume | Price | Activation | Deactivation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surf | 250 MB | CHF 7.50 | SURF | SURF STOP |
| Surf XL | 1 GB | CHF 15 | SURF XL | SURFXL STOP |
| Surf 3XL | 3 GB | CHF 30 | SURF3XL | SURF3XL STOP |
| Surf 5XL | 5 GB | CHF 45 | SURF5XL | SURF5XL STOP |
| Surf 10XL | 10 GB | CHF 80 | SURF10XL | SURF10CL STOP |
To subscribe and unsubscribe text code to 5522. Bundle is renewed automatically when data volume is used up or after one month (whatever occurs first). To find out how much data of the surf option remains, dial *136# on your phone. All packages are on 4G/LTE too in up to 100 Mbit/s.
Prepaid Unlimited
The new Sunrise Prepaid Unlimited can be bought at more than 4,000 points of sale across Switzerland as well as vouchers developed with epay. Sales will start in October at Sunrise centres, Swiss Post branches, k kiosk, Press & Books, Mobilezone and various gas stations in partnership with Lekkerland.
Their their new flat rate for high users with real unlimited and unthrottled data in 4G up to 300 Mbit/s,domestic calls and texts in three formats:
- per day: CHF 2.50 for 24 hours, only on days you use data, voice or SMS. To activate text 'UNLIMITED' to 5522
- per month: CHF 50 for 30 days, with auto-renew. To activate text 'UNLIMITED30' to 5522
- per quarter: CHF 120 for 90 days, with auto-renew. To activate text 'UNLIMITED90' to 5522
To stop packages text 'UNLIMITED STOP' to 5522.
Roaming packages
Be careful: Liechtenstein is not included in domestic rates. It is treated as any other European country for roaming charges.
For roaming in the EU, Canada, USA and Turkey to both plans these roaming packages valid for one month can be added:
- 100 MB: CHF 9.90, activation: 100 reg1
- 2 GB (4 GB in promotion until 30/9/2019): CHF 29, activation: 2GB reg1
Other TravelData options can be consulted here
For activation, text code to 5522. Roaming bundles won't auto-renew, but can be renewed anytime when used up. You can manage these allowances and block overuse fees in your Sunrise Roaming Cockpit online or by app.
More info
- to change language, dial *141# on your phone
- Tethering: allowed
- APN: internet
- Website in English: http://www.sunrise.ch/en
ok.-
ok.- is spoken "OK, Punkt, Strich" (= OK, dot, dash). It's a MVNO and changed 2014 from Salt/Orange to the Sunrise network on 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE.
Availability
SIM cards are sold for CHF 10, with same balance in avec convenience shops, k kiosks and Presse&Books shops, often located in train stations (list). A hybrid SIM card in mini, micro and nano size is given out. Activation is done within 24 hours.
Reload cards of CHF 10, 20, 30, 50 or 100 are available there too.
Data feature packages
Default rate outside of packages is CHF 0.15 per MB.
- CHF 8.50 per month for 500 MB, activation: text "Bundle Data500" to 3131
- CHF 14 per month for 1 GB, activation: text "Bundle Data1000" to 3131
To check data balance text "Balance" to 3131.
EU roaming
Roaming in the EU is at the excessive rate of CHF 0.45 per 20 KB (= CHF 22.50 per MB).
More info
- APN: internet
- Tethering is allowed
- Website in German, French and Italian: http://www.okpunktstrich.ch
Aldi mobile
Aldi mobile is the MVNO of the Aldi Suisse supermarket discounter chain on Sunrise network in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE. It boasts a great on-net rate: all calls amongst Aldi mobile numbers in Switzerland are offered for free.
Availability
Their starter package costs CHF 9.99 including a prepaid credit of CHF 20. Starter packs are available only in Aldi Suisse supermarkets (shop locator). They are not on display, but you have to ask at the checkout. Mini-SIM (2FF), micro-SIM and nano-SIM are sold. Clerk will have you fill out a paper form, which they fax or email to HQ. The initial activation can take up to 72 hours but activations have been reported in as little as 3 hours.
Top-ups can be found in all ALDI-SUISSE stores (at CHF 20, 30, 50), online through the Aldi account manager ([1]) or at SBB (Swiss Railways) ticket dispensers (which allow custom top-ups above CHF 10; cash or European bank cards only). Check your balance by *147*#.
Data feature packs
Default rate is CHF 0.19 per MB. These monthly data packages, valid for 30 days, are offered:
- Basic 1G: CHF 9.90 for 1 GB.
- Medium 2G: CHF 14.90 for 2 GB.
- Vielsurfer 4G: CHF 24.90 for 4 GB.
They also offer "smart" packages with all-in data, voice and SMS for 30 days:
- Smart S: CHF 14.90 with 1 GB and unlimited domestic calls and SMS. Activation: text START SMART S to 4466
- Smart M: CHF 24.90 with 5 GB, unlimited domestic calls and SMS and 500 MB roaming in the EU/EEA. Unlimited calls to neighbouring countries. Activation: text START SMART M to 4466.
- Smart L: CHF 34.90 for 10 GB, unlimited domestic calls and SMS, unlimited calls to neighbouring countries and 1 GB roaming in the EU/EEA. Activation: text START SMART L to 4466.
All SMS to 4466 are free of charge. All options are valid for one month only and will not be automatically prolonged. You will receive a notification SMS after 30 days. If you want to continue to use the option you will have to send again a free text with the activation code to the number 4466, so that the option will be activated for another month.
You will receive a notification as soon as (one of) the limit(s) is/are reached or when the 30 day-period is going to be finished. Alternatively you can call *147*# to find out your credit. When exceeding the limit(s) before the end of the 30 day-period, you can buy again an option for another 30 days. If you exceed the included amount of data (or voice or text), there will be the usual default rates as CHF 0.19 for every MB data deducted from your prepaid credit, but you will be warned in advance.
EU roaming option
For roaming these packages all valid for 30 days in the EU and EEA are offered:
- Smart Roaming: CHF 29.90 for 7mins, 75 SMS, 750 MB
- Roaming 500 MB: CHF 9.90 for 500 MB
- Roaming 750 MB: CHF 19.90 for 1500 MB
To activate, text code to 4466. To check your balance, text 'STATUS' to 4466. Packages don't renew. Default EU roaming rate outside packages is CHF 2 per MB.
More info
- APN: internet
- Website in German, French and Italian: http://www.aldi-mobile.ch
TalkTalk
TalkTalk is another MVNO on the Sunrise network on 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE.
Availability
Their prepaid product is called GO. The starter package costs CHF 0,00 and includes a prepaid credit of CHF 5. It's available online (https://www.talktalk.ch/en/mobile/mobile-prepaid/) or offline exclusively in Mobilezone stores: store locator.
Refill cards are available in Mobilezone stores or tobacco/press kiosks (topups list) and can be activated via dialing a special number or online. For balance check text "BALANCE" to 361.
To create an online account for adding credit to your account you need a postal address in Switzerland and a valid zip code. Addresses and zip codes from other countries are not allowed / possible.
Data feature packs
Default data outside of packages is CHF 0.2 per 10 MB. These monthly packages are available:
| Data | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|
| 500 MB | CHF 10 | START 500MB |
| 1 GB | CHF 15 | START 1GB |
| 2 GB | CHF 25 | START 2GB |
| 3 GB | CHF 35 | START 3GB |
| 5 GB | CHF 50 | START 5GB |
| 10 GB | CHF 85 | START 10GB |
To activate, text code to 361. All packages are valid for 30 days. Volume can be upsized anytime by buying a new package. All packages auto-renew after 30 days. To stop replace START by STOP in the command code.
EU roaming
The standard rate is CHF 0.10 per 100 KB without packages offered.
More info
- APN: internet
- Website in English: https://www.talktalk.ch/en/
Yallo
Yallo is a subsidiary of Sunrise and operates on their network on 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE where available with speeds up to 100 Mbit/s.
Availability
Their starter package costs CHF 20 and includes prepaid credit of CHF 20. It's sold in every Sunrise store (see above) or at Swiss postal offices available in both micro SIM and standard size, nano SIMs are sold seperately.
Data feature packs
Standard rate outside packages is CHF 0.25 per 10 MB. These monthly packages are sold:
- data-only packages:
- 250 MB: CHF 4 - activation: SURF 250
- 1 GB: CHF 15 - activation: SURF 1000
- unlimited: CHF 40 - activation: SURFFLAT
- combo all-in packages:
| Data | Voice | SMS | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 MB | 10 mins | 100 | CHF 5 | ALLIN5 |
| 200 MB | 20 mins | 200 | CHF 7.50 | ALLIN7.5 |
| 300 MB | 30 mins | 300 | CHF 10 | ALLIN10 |
| 750 MB | 100 mins | unlim. | CHF 15 | ALLIN15 |
| 1 GB | 200 mins | unlim. | CHF 20 | ALLIN20 |
| 2 GB | unlimited | unlim. | CHF 30 | ALLIN30 |
| 3 GB (promo: 10 GB) | unlimited | unlim. | CHF 40 (promo: CHF 30) | ALLIN40 |
The All-in 40 combo package is currently on promotion giving 10 GB data at a cost of only CHF 30 until 30-June-2019.
Calls are domestic and to Europe. Roaming is excluded. For activation text code to 5511, for deactivation text code followed by the word "STOP" to 5511. Packages will be renewed automatically after one month or when the data volume limit is reached, if there is enough credit. To check package status type *142#.
EU roaming
For roaming in the EU/EEA countries, Greenland, Monaco, Andorra, Russia, USA, Canada, and Turkey these packages can be added:
- 100 MB (in promotion: 200 MB) for 7 days: CHF 10, activation: text 'TSURF100' to 5511
- 1 GB (in promotion: 2 GB) for 30 days: CHF 30, activation: text 'TSURF1GB' to 5511
- 3 GB (in promotion: 6 GB) for 30 days: CHF 60, activation: text 'TSURF3GB' to 5511
- 10 GB (in promotion: 20 GB) for 30 days: CHF 80, activation: text 'TSURF10GB' to 5511
To check status, text 'STATUS' to 255.Note that the default EU roaming rate without having activated a package is at excessive CHF 2 per MB. Note that the activation codes differ from actual data allowance due to a double data promotion until 30-June-2019. With the promotion and the new 20 GB (10 GB without promotion) package, Yallo offers the lowest cost per GB of prepaid roaming with a Swiss SIM so far.
More info
- APN: internet
- Website in English: https://yallo.ch/
Lebara mobile
Lebara mobile Suisse was acquired by Sunrise in 2013. It uses their network in 2G, 3G and 4G.
Availability
Their SIM card is free either online to be sent to a Swiss address or offline at their vending partners like Swiss post offices, Migros and Coop supermarkets, k and relay kiosks, MediaMarkt and lot of small stores. You have to do a top up right away.
They offer high data bonuses for top-ups, especially when made online or by app
- CHF 10 top-up: + 50 MB, + 75 MB online/app
- CHF 20 top-up: + 150 MB, + 225 MB online/app
- CHF 30 top-up: + 300 MB, + 450 MB online/app
- CHF 50 top-up: + 1 GB, + 1.5 GB online/app
- CHF 100 top-up: + 3 GB, + 4.5 GB online/app
Note, that bonus data is only valid for one month.
Data feature packs
Default rate is 1.50 CHF per 24-hours day with 30 MB in highspeed 4G, then throttled to 256 kbit/s. These packages for more data can be added:
| Data | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|
| 120 MB | CHF 4.90 | SURF |
| 1 GB | CHF 14.90 | DATA1 |
| 3 GB | CHF 29.90 | SURF3 |
| 5 GB | CHF 44.90 | SURF5 |
| 10 GB | CHF 79.90 | SURF10 |
For activation text code to 255, package renews automatically after 30 days, for deactivation: text STOP to 255. You can activate another bundle ahead of time. All overuse within the validity period will be charged at CHF 0.10 per MB otherwise.
Roaming packs
For data roaming in the EU including Turkey and the US Lebara offers these roaming data packages:
- 100 MB for 10 days: CHF 10, activation: 'DATAR100'
- 200 MB and 100 mins for 10 days: CHF 29, activation: 'COMBIM'
- 300 MB for 30 days: CHF 25, activation: 'DATAR300'
- 500 MB and 300 mins for 30 days: CHF 59, activation: 'COMBIL'
- 1 GB for 30 days: CHF 49, actiation: 'DATA1GB'
Text code for activation to 255. Packages don't auto-renew. High standard roaming rates apply for overuse and outside the mentioned countries. Voice mins include all calls within the roaming countries and to Switzerland. Default EU roaming rate is excessive CHF 10 per MB.
Ortel mobile
Ortel mobile was a MVNO on the Sunrise network. Don't mix it up with German product with the same logo and name. In 2018 Sunrise discontinued this brand and migrated all its customers to its own Lebara mobile brand.
More info
- APN: internet
- Website in English: http://lebara.ch/
SALT network
In 2014 France Telecom sold Orange CH to a French businessman. The brand Orange was dropped and the network rebranded to Salt during summer 2015. It's now the 3rd network in the country still giving good coverage and high speeds.
Salt Mobile (formerly known as Orange)
Availability
In a Salt Store (formerly called Orange Center) (store locator) you will get a PrePay SIM Pack. Their new PrePay Suisse voice and data is sold for CHF 10, including CHF 20 of initial credit. Mini SIM, Micro SIM and Nano SIM are available.
Top-ups are widely available at kiosks (Naville, Relay), supermarkets (Coop, Migros), SBB-ticket machines, post offices and most service stations.
The PrePay account is automatically suspended after 390 days without being used. It is definitively cancelled after another 45 days (435 days in total). To avoid this, recharge your account. The limit is also reset to 390 days after each call you make and after each SMS you send.
Default data rate
They offer a daily rate with unlimited data on up to 4G/LTE for CHF 1.99 by default. This rate is not throttled or otherwise limited.
The only available data package was discontinued in 2018 leaving the daily default rate as their only option for data.
EU roaming
These EU data packages can be activated for data use anywhere in the EU for 30 days:
- 1 GB: CHF 19.95
- 5 GB: CHF 69.95
To activate go to http://costcontrol.ch/status .Otherwise, EU roaming will be on the excessive roaming rate of CHF 19 per MB.
More info
- tethering is allowed (according to Salt forum)
- useable with no extra roaming costs in the country of Liechtenstein
- APN: click (valid only for PrePay)
- Website in English: http://www.salt.ch/en
Travelers Wifi
Travelers Wifi rents 4G Pocket Wifi Routers (Portable Wifi Hotspots) together with a data SIM card for unlimited high speed data to go online. Up to 10 mobile devices can be connected simultaneously. The re-chargeable battery is said to last for about 10-12 hours.
It comes with a data-only SIM, but VoIP calls can be made through apps like Skype, WhatsApp or Viber.
Availability
Travelers Wifi has a large partner network and their product is available in many Tourist Information Offices, at airports and major railway stations throughout the country. The most popular pickup location is certainly at the Zurich Airport info desks.
They also offer delivery, either to your accommodation or to any of their 1500 pickup locations. Payment is per PayPal or credit card.
You need to upload a copy of your passport or ID card for registration. You will get a charged Pocket Wifi Router, USB-wall-charger and separate micro-USB cable, user guide with access to a 24/7 hotline and a prepaid return envelope.
Rental fees
The device can be rented from 2 to 365 days with unlimited data in Switzerland and Liechtenstein:
- for 2 days: CHF 39.90
- for 5 days: CHF 59.90
- for 7 days: CHF 69.90
- for 2 weeks: CHF 125.90
- for 4 weeks: CHF 195.30
- for other dates check here
EU roaming
Travelers Wifi offers also a global wifi router, based on a different plan which covers more than 140 countries and offers up to 2 GB high-speed data per day within the EU. (Exceeding data is included and unlimited at a slower speed).
More info
- You are liable for the device of up to CHF 180
- Website in English: travelerswifi.com