Moving to Switzerland

[Rebs13]

Hi there - I have 10 months left on my contract but I am moving to Switzerland in 6 weeks. What is the best/least expensive way to allow people in the US to continue to text/call me without getting charged for roaming? I have a iphone 3G and will upgrade to a 4S ASAP... I will also need a service in Switzerland - thinking about Orange. Any advice out there? Thanks!!!

[stufried]

If you get a 4s, ATT will extend your contract 2 years. I will call and try to negotiate an early cancellation. Before the number is shut off, port it out to a Google Voice account. It will cost you $20. You will now have visual voicemail on your old US number and free text messaging to/from the US.

You need to sign up before you leave the US, but the App works fine on a foreign mobile. I suggest buying an unlocked iPhone 4s from the Apple store. An unlocked 4s 32G will run you $749. You can use it with ATT, and then with Orange when you move to Switzerland.

You might be able to purchase a 4s from a Swiss carrier and get it unlocked before you move back to the US. Most EU countries require unlocking after a reasonable period. I can't tell you whether Switzerland requires this, but something in the back of my head thinks so.

This isn't the right place to ask whether Orange, Swisscom, or Sunrise is the better carrier. I would run this question by the folks at prepaidgsm.net or howardforums.com

[aristizzle]

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stufried wrote:
If you get a 4s, ATT will extend your contract 2 years. I will call and try to negotiate an early cancellation. Before the number is shut off, port it out to a Google Voice account. It will cost you $20. You will now have visual voicemail on your old US number and free text messaging to/from the US.

You need to sign up before you leave the US, but the App works fine on a foreign mobile. I suggest buying an unlocked iPhone 4s from the Apple store. An unlocked 4s 32G will run you $749. You can use it with ATT, and then with Orange when you move to Switzerland.

You might be able to purchase a 4s from a Swiss carrier and get it unlocked before you move back to the US. Most EU countries require unlocking after a reasonable period. I can't tell you whether Switzerland requires this, but something in the back of my head thinks so.

This isn't the right place to ask whether Orange, Swisscom, or Sunrise is the better carrier. I would run this question by the folks at prepaidgsm.net or howardforums.com

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AT&T doesnt waive ETF"s for relocating out of the country.

[stufried]

Some contracts had downward prorations. AT&T played with it for a while and backed off. Additionally, they had the escape clause when the contract was negotiated. You might get the price down a little. Signing up for a 4s and then canceling would be a huge mistake.

[Rebs13]

Thank you for clear and informative reply! You have saved me a great deal of stress and uncertainty. I checked with Orange and they will unlock 24 hours after they receive an email request from the subscriber. You rock!

[DWC1 ACE - Professor]

Just bear in mind that Oragne will NOT be able to unlock any phone you buy from AT&T.  They can only unlock phones you buy directly from Orange.  Apple sells fully unlocked iPhones online so shop carefully.

[Kerry78]

sell your 3GS and contact AT&T they will make you pay a termination fee I guess happened to me

but with vodafone you have to pay the full 10 months off !

also you will have to get yourself another phone when you go to switzerland

im unsure if you can get a contract with orange as you are a newbie to the country but you can

buy a iPhone sim free from Apple store in that country

if you decide on not terminating your AT&T service this will be a very expensive thing to conclude in Switzerland

call AT&T and pay of your contract agreement

best of luck in switzerland make sure you take plenty of warm clothes lol

its very chilly in this neck of the woods

[BadBadLeroyBrown ACE - Warrior]

The one feature that won't work with Google Voice is international forwarding, but you can still use the app to retrieve voice mails and texts.

I'm not sure if Skype numbers allow for international forwarding or not.

PS, I love Switzerland. So jealous. Geneva & Zurich are two of my favorite places on earth. You should invite us to come visit!

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stufried wrote:
If you get a 4s, ATT will extend your contract 2 years. I will call and try to negotiate an early cancellation. Before the number is shut off, port it out to a Google Voice account. It will cost you $20. You will now have visual voicemail on your old US number and free text messaging to/from the US.

You need to sign up before you leave the US, but the App works fine on a foreign mobile. I suggest buying an unlocked iPhone 4s from the Apple store. An unlocked 4s 32G will run you $749. You can use it with ATT, and then with Orange when you move to Switzerland.

You might be able to purchase a 4s from a Swiss carrier and get it unlocked before you move back to the US. Most EU countries require unlocking after a reasonable period. I can't tell you whether Switzerland requires this, but something in the back of my head thinks so.

This isn't the right place to ask whether Orange, Swisscom, or Sunrise is the better carrier. I would run this question by the folks at prepaidgsm.net or howardforums.com

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[stufried]

Google Voic doesn't forward abroad, but you can use it VOIP Over 3G with the Talkatone app.