I just bought orange 3G card with 1g data for 1 month (19 CHF). I have signal full yet can't even log into Facebook. It takes forever then said network has problem. Is it normal?

Do you have 3G coverage? If not, your 3G card will use Orange's measly non-EDGE GMS network, which is about as "fast" as a MODEM from 1984.
Orange allegedly will introduce EDGE by the end of this year, but apparently, they're pretty far behind in adding the slightly faster EDGE to their network. They had previously claimed that it would be available in larger cities by the end of summer, but nothing happened.

Peter

What on earth are you talking about?

EDGE is an improvement on the ultra-slow GPRS data networks, and is considered a 3G technology.

3G is faster than EDGE in every area, it is usually preferred unless it is not available or the signal is too weak. EDGE has the upper hand in low-signal areas, as it requires less signal strength to operate than 3G (from eHow.com)

As said earlier, if there is no 3G coverage (or EDGE) in your area, you won't get any internet access no matter how strong the GSM signal may be.

Now signal strength and quality are two different things and you can have a low signal strength but a high quality signal and a high signal strength but low quality signal. This may also be very local so you could try and move (a couple of meters even) and see if you can pick up a good quality signal and you should have internet available on your handheld device

Now, I'm not sure if Orange is setup in such a way that certain subscriptions have priority on capacity where it may be at bursting points? Could someone (who actually knows for a fact) confirm?

And what's your point?

Maybe a stupid question, but is your data connection on? If it is, you should see some letter (G, 3G, E or even H) on your screen next to the usual voice connection symbol (vertical lines).

My point is that I don't understand what you're saying???

Are you saying that there are two EDGE types, one slightly faster than the other OR that they are introducing a slightly faster (EDGE) connection type than GPRS?

That said, EDGE is working in many places on the Orange network (Romandie) where there was no network connection at all a few months ago; at least where I am connecting when taking the train...

No, I'm saying that Orange doesn't have EDGE at all and that if you don't get a 3G signal, the dongle will switch to GPRS, which is unusably slow.

Orange is in the process of adding EDGE to their network, but so far, it's nowhere to be seen, although they claimed they'd have it ready in all major cities by the end of summer.

Good. Then its clear what you mean...

Well they do. I'm looking at my phone right now (in Morges) and there is an indication on the display informing me that I have an EDGE connection. It has been like this for the last couple of months tbh and before then I had nothing (maybe sporadic 3G)...

Also, as I wrote above, I have EDGE most of the time instead of GPRS (or none at all) when taking the 90+ min commute each way from and to work...

So, Orange do have an active EDGE connection network up and running.

Sorry OP, this doesn't help you very much does it?

they do in some of the French-speaking areas of Switzerland where they launched the network in March.

They most definitely don't have EDGE here (Eastern Switzerland). In Zurich, EDGE availability is patchy - some antennas have apparently been upgraded, while the majority has not.

Peter

Yes I can see "3G" on left upper corner on my iphone, besides the signal bar and "Orange CH". Thanks for all the discussion here, but honestly am a bit lost.

Turned out 3G is not working on my iPhone. The guy in Orange store doesn't know why and cant fix it. The card is just not compatible with my phone. Wired thing is if I switch on VPN, then It's working.

And if you insert it in another phone?
Does it work?