Difference between revisions of "Call the United States From Switzerland"
(importing article from wikihow) |
m (Text replacement - "[[Category:M" to "[[Category: M") |
||
| (3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
Like most European countries, you can make international calls from Switzerland to the United States on your cell phone, a landline, or through online calling. Begin your call with the code 001 to reach the United States. | Like most European countries, you can make international calls from Switzerland to the United States on your cell phone, a landline, or through online calling. Begin your call with the code 001 to reach the United States. | ||
| − | [[Category:Making Overseas Calls]] | + | [[Category: Making Overseas Calls]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
===Troubleshooting=== | ===Troubleshooting=== | ||
| − | #Find alternatives to a toll-free number. Many U.S. businesses use a toll-free number with the 800 area code, but block international calls to avoid paying high phone rates. If you're lucky, you can replace this code with "880," an out-of-date alternative which still works in some cases.<ref>http://www.howtocallabroad.com/qa/toll-free.html</ref> If this doesn't go through either, you may need to find an alternative number for the company that does not start with 1-800. | + | #Find alternatives to a toll-free number. Many U.S. businesses use a toll-free number with the 800 area code, but block international calls to avoid paying high phone rates. If you're lucky, you can replace this code with "880," an out-of-date alternative which still works in some cases.<ref name="rf1">http://www.howtocallabroad.com/qa/toll-free.html</ref> If this doesn't go through either, you may need to find an alternative number for the company that does not start with 1-800. |
#*Make sure your formatting is correct. These numbers are usually listed as "1-800," but you do not need the 1 when calling from abroad. Start with "001-800" instead. | #*Make sure your formatting is correct. These numbers are usually listed as "1-800," but you do not need the 1 when calling from abroad. Start with "001-800" instead. | ||
| − | #Use a calling card at a landline. If your mobile phone can't get through, try making the international call from a landline. In order to reduce the rates for international calls, buy a calling card at a grocery store or convenience store. Enter the code on the calling card to use the pre-paid minutes for an international call.<ref>http://www.countrycallingcodes.com/detailed-results.php?CallTo=United%20States&From=Switzerland&StateInfo=Illinois&page=8</ref> | + | #Use a calling card at a landline. If your mobile phone can't get through, try making the international call from a landline. In order to reduce the rates for international calls, buy a calling card at a grocery store or convenience store. Enter the code on the calling card to use the pre-paid minutes for an international call.<ref name="rf2">http://www.countrycallingcodes.com/detailed-results.php?CallTo=United%20States&From=Switzerland&StateInfo=Illinois&page=8</ref> |
| − | #Contact the international operator. This is not usually necessary to make a call, but if nothing else works, try seeking assistance by dialing one of these numbers:<ref>http://www.about.ch/various/phone_numbers.html</ref> | + | #Contact the international operator. This is not usually necessary to make a call, but if nothing else works, try seeking assistance by dialing one of these numbers:<ref name="rf3">http://www.about.ch/various/phone_numbers.html</ref> |
#*1141 — international operator | #*1141 — international operator | ||
#*1159 — international inquiries | #*1159 — international inquiries | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
===Planning Holiday Phone Service=== | ===Planning Holiday Phone Service=== | ||
| − | #Check whether your phone will work in Switzerland. The Swiss mobile phone network uses the GSM standard, which is not compatible with many North American phones.<ref>https://www.justlanded.com/english/Switzerland/Switzerland-Guide/Telephone-Internet/Mobile-phones</ref> If you live in the US and are planning a trip, contact your phone provider and ask whether your phone model will work in Switzerland. | + | #Check whether your phone will work in Switzerland. The Swiss mobile phone network uses the GSM standard, which is not compatible with many North American phones.<ref name="rf4">https://www.justlanded.com/english/Switzerland/Switzerland-Guide/Telephone-Internet/Mobile-phones</ref> If you live in the US and are planning a trip, contact your phone provider and ask whether your phone model will work in Switzerland. |
| − | #*AT&T and T-Mobile phones use GSM, but double check with the provider anyway — other technical limitations may prevent your model from working abroad. Other major US networks use the CDMA standard, which is not usable in Europe, but some will loan their customers a phone while traveling.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/05/27/cell.phones.overseas/index.html</ref> | + | #*AT&T and T-Mobile phones use GSM, but double check with the provider anyway — other technical limitations may prevent your model from working abroad. Other major US networks use the CDMA standard, which is not usable in Europe, but some will loan their customers a phone while traveling.<ref name="rf5">http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/05/27/cell.phones.overseas/index.html</ref> |
#[[Unlock-Mobile-Phones|Unlock your phone]]. If your mobile phone is "locked" to a specific carrier, it will not work with a Swiss SIM card. Contact your network carrier and ask for the phone to be unlocked. Once the phone is unlocked, you can insert a SIM card from a Swiss carrier and use the phone to make local and international calls. | #[[Unlock-Mobile-Phones|Unlock your phone]]. If your mobile phone is "locked" to a specific carrier, it will not work with a Swiss SIM card. Contact your network carrier and ask for the phone to be unlocked. Once the phone is unlocked, you can insert a SIM card from a Swiss carrier and use the phone to make local and international calls. | ||
| − | #*Before buying a SIM card, make sure it will fit your phone. Most standard cell phones will work with a standard SIM card, but iPhones and smartphones use special micro or nano SIM cards.<ref>http://kenstechtips.com/index.php/smartphone-type-standard-sim-micro-sim-or-nano-sim</ref> | + | #*Before buying a SIM card, make sure it will fit your phone. Most standard cell phones will work with a standard SIM card, but iPhones and smartphones use special micro or nano SIM cards.<ref name="rf6">http://kenstechtips.com/index.php/smartphone-type-standard-sim-micro-sim-or-nano-sim</ref> |
#*Notify your U.S. phone carrier that you are going to be traveling to Switzerland and will be using your phone there with a different SIM card for a certain period of time. This will ensure your U.S. carrier does not suspend or change your service. | #*Notify your U.S. phone carrier that you are going to be traveling to Switzerland and will be using your phone there with a different SIM card for a certain period of time. This will ensure your U.S. carrier does not suspend or change your service. | ||
| − | #Purchase a mobile phone in Switzerland. If you do not want to bring your own phone, buy a mobile phone once you arrive in the country. Look for an inexpensive phone if you are only staying a short time in Switzerland and get a pay-as-you-go SIM card plan so you can make international calls easily and cheaply.<ref | + | #Purchase a mobile phone in Switzerland. If you do not want to bring your own phone, buy a mobile phone once you arrive in the country. Look for an inexpensive phone if you are only staying a short time in Switzerland and get a pay-as-you-go SIM card plan so you can make international calls easily and cheaply.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#*Swisscom, Orange, and Sunrise are the three major network providers, but there are many smaller providers as well. The most affordable and reliable network depends on the region of Switzerland you are visiting, so ask a local for advice if possible. | #*Swisscom, Orange, and Sunrise are the three major network providers, but there are many smaller providers as well. The most affordable and reliable network depends on the region of Switzerland you are visiting, so ask a local for advice if possible. | ||
#*Make sure you are aware of the rates for international phone calls using your Swiss phone as well as the data usage rates. | #*Make sure you are aware of the rates for international phone calls using your Swiss phone as well as the data usage rates. | ||
