Hi all - am looking to get a Swiss sim for my Blackberry (is unlocked). I won't be making too many calls. I send quite a few texts (maybe 100 a month), and I use the internet now and then, but probably 100-200MB a month is enough.

I've read quite a bit on these forums, and also checked on the web and it seems the cheapest option for me is Lebara Simple & Surf.

Anyone any experience with these? Am mainly interested in call quality in the Zurich area.

Thanks
K

No idea,

If you need your BB mail (BIS) working though, Lebara will not do that

There is no prepay BB BIS option here

Orange, although more expensive offer a 3 month rolling contract with BIS

I use Lebara, but I don't make too many calls, primarily to my wife or to friends to find out where to meet, etc. I primarily send text messages. I pay roughly 10-15 CHF a month and just top up at SBB machines or Kiosks. It's very useful if that's all you want to do. I think if you want to do anything with data or will be making a significant number of calls, you should go with a normal plan.

Hi all - reason for pre-pay over bill pay is that for first few months here I won't have an address / visa, will still be in process of applying etc. Seemed easier to get prepay just.

But I wold need email on the BB yeah. Anyone know of any prepay that provide this service?

Well, Lebara provides for 4.90 CHF/mo a data plan, up to 120 MB. I don't use it, so I don't know anything about it.

http://www.lebara-mobile.ch/en/inter...your_phone.php

yeah - saw that data plan. That was what I was thinking. If they have a data plan, do they not have BB email support?

For BB support, you will need to check with the mobile operator. Data plan itself is not enough. Blackberry Service is using different APN from the ordinary data plan:
- data plan uses typically 'internet' APN
- BB devices are using 'blackberry.net' APN, which is configured on the device. From blackberry.net APN there needs to be back-end connection from your Mobile Operator towards RIM infrastructure (RIM is the maker of blackberry devices, and provider of email relay service). All the emails are passing through RIM Datacenter, and via back-end connection to blackberry.net APN.

Also the same applies for BB messenger.

So - it is best to call and verify.

ah ok - understand. Off top of head, does anyone know if anyone off BB email support on pre-pay so?

Or alternatively - what is the minimum required for sign a contract? Proof of address enough, or do you need a visa etc?

there is NO pre pay for BB BIS in Switzerland as I said before, only the UK, Ireland and Italy as far as I know offer this service in Europe

the only company currently offering a short term contract are Orange at 3 months,

but you will need your residence permit to get this, called an Ausländerausweiss or Livret pour étrangers depending on which side of the country you live

As mentioned previously, BlackBerrys and pre-paids are not a good mix. If you want pre-paid and mobile e-mail I think your best bet is to get a Android/G-mail account.

Hi there,

Lebara Mobile does not support BlackBerry Services in Switzerland at the moment.

For more details regarding our Internet Services, please visit:

http://www.lebara-mobile.ch/en/inter...your_phone.php

Thanks and regards,
Pooja
(Lebara Customer Service)

Ok so - thanks for answers.... So... what if I did this (short term fix until I get an address / visa / whatever is needed to get a billpay)

1) I get an android or something which handles email
2) I setup a gmail email address
3) I forward all of my work emails, to this gmail address
4) I can see them in this phone, but can only reply from my gmail address

But means in short term I can see the emails, I just can't reply from my "work" email address....

That work?

that would work

and depending on who you are working for they might have an android email/webmail client for work email, I know the people who I work fro do

Just be aware that for any chip BB or not you will be required for a permit and address. I tried to buy one and im married with a swiss, mother of 2 swiss boys with a virtual B permit, but because i dont have it phisically i cant and everything need to be in my hubby's name.

for 4): you can even set up your work e-mail address as a "from" address in GMail. That feature is supported on the latest Android handsets, so you can send messages from that address as well. Just BCC yourself for each message and you'll get your sent mail on your company server as well.

In your case, I'd probably go with a Sunrise pre-paid card and some Android 2.2 or 2.3 handset (preferably the latter, as they support the latest features for GMail). Sunrise offers a 7.50 / month for 250mb of data deal for their pre-paid plan. Once you've settled here, you can upgrade the prepaid to a postpaid plan and are able to keep your number.

Peter

You could also configure your work email address directly on an android device with a third party email app.If you need help to do that,then contact me.I'm in Zurich and it will cost you nothing.JFYI.

If your work email server is Exchange; you can configure it to work with Nokia phones (e.g. E-series, or N-series).

I have configured my Nokia N8 to work with my work address (based on Exchange server) and additional gmail mailbox that I use privately.

The configuration is straightforward. You can send/receive to/from both email accounts.


Cheers

Exchange works on most Android phones as well.

I thought I'd mention that I've used two blackberry devices in CH on Sunrise prepaid with their 250MB/month plan with no problems. The BES servers won't work and you have to install another browser like Opera. However, My Gmail client, my google maps and Bloomberg mobile all work fine.

Don't go out and buy a BB if you don't already have one, but if you already have one, it'll work fine..

Hey Crazykittylady, i had the same question regards to BB with pre-pay. So, BES (email) doesn't work, but how about BBMessenger???