 Poster: A snowHead
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Off to Switzerland shortly, and wifey insists that I call her every day when I go away (she doesn't trust me!). Now, as Switzerland isn't in the EU, the mobile operators didn't reduce their rates as they were forced to do for EU countries. So it ends up costing me a fortune.
Does anybody know if there a cheap/cheaper way to use my UK mobile in Switzerland?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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ssnowman, can you not access Skype (or similar) whilst you are away?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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ssnowman, can't she make do with a text?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Laptop and Skype for me. I also use a Mucho Mobile SIM, which is pretty cheap.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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scotia, I tried looking on the Skype website, but didn't find it very informative.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Buy a 20sfr pnone card and call from a call box
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riverman, a call box! far too cold for a softy like me 
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what network are you on and are you pre-pay or contract...
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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bertie bassett, T-mobile contract.
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ssnowman, Are you likely to be on the phone for more than a couple of minutes? When I check in it's usually:
"Hello darling everything o kat home?"
"Hello dear, yes all fine. Are you having a good time?"
"Yes great thanks. Hotel/Chalet/apartment are ace and the snow is fab. Just off for a meal and a couple of beers."
"OK well this is costing a bomb so speak tomorrow. Love you"
"Love you"
Takes no more than 2 mins. Max cost a fiver. Price of one beer a day to give her piece of mind for the week . 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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i used to work for o2 so if i may offer you advice then here you go.....
1st depending on the type of handset you have ie smart phone, then you can download apps that will allow you to send text messages and sms messages free of charge.
2nd if you have to call each day then clearly use the phone on an evening when the rates are cheaper or first thing in the morning, usually before 8am.
3rd Try and arrange for your OH to call you, this way you will only pay for the recieving side of the international call which is generally cheaper than if you call her.
4th well there is no 4th option. apart from doing what others have already suggested and either use a pay phone or buy a swiss sim. or skype.
hope this helps.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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ssnowman, I've tried lots of different options but find that Skype is still the cheapest.
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Buy a Swiss sim card - you can get them for about 40chf which includes approx 20chf of credit. Rates to call the UK are then the same as calling in Switzerland.
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You know it makes sense.
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^^ this. Go to a Swisscom shop and buy a Swiss PAYG sim card. Depending on the tariff you choose, you can even get internet access very cheaply.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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iPhone*, wifi and Skype.
*Other inferior smart-phones also exist. 
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Poster: A snowHead
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lebara are the cheapest prepay from swiss to uk.. but you need a swiss address to get a sim as far as I know.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'll be using Skype, too.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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If you can't find wifi is skype still cheaper over roaming than a call?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Go to Migros supermarket.
Take your passport.
Buy cheap PAYG SIM only, or PAYG phone+SIM
We paid chf30 for phone+SIM and that included 20chf of credit (ie phone was 10chf, very basic phone but calls and texts are obviously fine).
Calls to ANYWHERE (including mobiles) in Europe are 28 chf cents a minute.....much cheaper than any UK contract phone calling in Switz'.
If you buy the SIM only it is even cheaper.
You can top up in any Migros or on line.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks everyone, I'm going to try & stop off at a Migros supermarket & get a PAYG SIM.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Skype or calling cards. which can be bought in any supermarket.
I use this service. very cheap and simple. Well, there are lots of other variants, you can try to set up a free service viop on your phone for example.
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| ssnowman wrote: |
| Thanks everyone, I'm going to try & stop off at a Migros supermarket & get a PAYG SIM. |
Does the handset need top be unlocked for this to work?
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| sugarmoma666 wrote: |
| ssnowman wrote: |
| Thanks everyone, I'm going to try & stop off at a Migros supermarket & get a PAYG SIM. |
Does the handset need top be unlocked for this to work? |
Yep.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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virgin media have something called 'SmartCall' - it is a smartphone app which uses wifi to make your calls : Any calls you make are charged at the same rate you would pay at home - e.g. you get free calls after 7PM, while on holiday you use your Hotels free wifi, call the wife after 7PM = no charge..
I believe BT have a similar plan --- SmartTalk
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You can buy a Swiss mobile phone for as little as 9 chf and that often includes 5 chf credit, it won't be the most snazzy phone, but will do the job. Fust have them at this price.
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FAQ
