Currently I use a cell phone that doesn't take a sim card. I know that I'll need to scrap that and pick up one that does but am wondering if most phones in the North American (N.A.) market that use SIM cards will be compatible in CH.

Also, will N.A. home telephones work if I buy the connection adapter or should I just get rid of them?

Thanks,

J

You'll need a cell phone with the GSM 900 and GSM 1800 frequency to be able to use it in Switzerland. GSM 1900 is the GSM band that can be used in the U.S. A tri-band phone (900/1800/1900) would be usable in both places.

We have a pre-pay phone here in Schweiz. Our cell phone is tri-band and we can switch out SIM cards to use in different countries. It's pretty useful for heavy travel. Otherwise, I hear that some of the Swiss contract plans are okay..though not that much less expensive, except the discount you can get on the phone.

http://www.telestial.com gives some useful information and I know this forum has addressed this often.

Good luck!
Jen

If the phone is unlocked and is tri- or quad-band capable, it'll work in Europe.

As for the home phone: I'm assuming you have a wireless phone. Wireless phones in the US use a different frequency than those here and are illegal to use in Switzerland. But yes, they'd probably work :-)

For a cell phone, come over here without and go with your wife and her passport to the store. You'll get a cheap(-ish) phone plus contract.

For what it's worth on the US phone for home, I'd dispose of it in a diligent manner and get one over here. Not only will you need the phone connection converting in some manner but you'll need some power adaptor too.

All though I agree fully with the comment of Lob get a new contract and "free" new phone here, the US also has GSM 900/1800 networks so if you are for example subscribed to T-Mobile your phone will work without problem here even if it is an old dual band!

and of course, Richard, check how much a new charger is compared to a discounted, current, quad-band phone before having to cough up 50 francs on a charger when a free phone could be had

Yes, the US does have networks on 900/1800, but I believe they're used for military/emergency services. You'll want to get a Tri-band (900/1800/1900) or a Quad-band (850/900/1800/1900) phone if you want to use it both in the USA and Europe. Most phones will automatically switch from the 850/1900 to the 900/1800 systems, though I have an old phone that requires being manually set.