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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