Mobile in Switzerland

[Kimberlin]

I might be wrong and happy to be corrected, but I'm assuming that BT Mobile effectively operates as an MVNO using the EE Network?

I use a EE based MVNO and I don't have any issues using the roaming facility within Europe, though to be fair, I haven't used it in Switzerland, indeed I've not been to Switzerland since around 1972 when I believe there were no such things as mobile phones 😂

It is correct that many countries are abandoning the use of older network technologies, though my own MVNO still lists 2g, 3g, 4g and 5g as possible network choices in my mobile netowork menu. I'm fortunate enough that 5G seems to be fairly reliable almost everywhere I go, especially in the UK and Spain. EE has many partner networks spread throughout Europe. Where I live, I even get EE French partner telecom providers pop up on my list of available networks.

For info, I have a iPhone 17 and I've used it successfully a number of times in Europe using EE partner networks so far in 2026.

Worth having a look at the following article if you're unsure of what is happening:

https://whereversim.com/en/3g-sunset

[msmobile]

Thank you

Our phones were saying they were on 4G and 5G, and we have been using them in Switzerland for a few years without problem. The only thing I am aware of is that has changed since we were last there in January is that Switzerland has dropped 3G. I spoke to someone at Swisscom who thought the 3G point might be relevant, but I have no idea why

[Colin_London]

Just because EE has a roaming partner in a country doesn’t mean that BT mobile will as well. I have found BT mobile choices to be much more restrictive than EE with only one network available, and it is not always the most extensive one.

if you want premium roaming you need to go with a premium operator.

[msmobile]

Thank you

We have been using BT mobile for several years and have never before had a problem in Switzerland (probably over 20 visits). So something must have changed since we were last there in January this year

Family members on the same BT sim plan have used them in Italy, Czech Republic and Greece this year without problem

[Kimberlin]

@Colin_London  What's premium these days? I'm with Spusu, a Austrian MVNO that operates by piggybacking off EE in the UK and I don't have any issues connecting anywhere where there's a signal or clearly, a roaming partner. If there isn't, I just use free WiFi through a VPN if it's available.

There could be a number of reasons why particular phones even, don't connect to various networks. I use a iPhone 17 that's fully up to date on O/S. There are people out there who just don't bother updating, so network carrier settings don't get updated, so for instance, on Apple phones, network carrier settings are now on v.70. Keeping network carrier settings updated is important, for the reasons outlined in the following link:

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/109324

Although I do own a Android phone, I rarely use it, but I assume it would be a similar situation.

[san12345]

so we're back in Switzerland, same problem

we are connected to Swisscom on 5G, we have data, but cannot make or receive calls other than via wifi

i have a new phone since we came in May

our family all have the same sims/BT account

my daughter used her phone without problem in Italy and Prague last month

this means the problem is either the BT account settings or the sims

i spoke to BT when i got home in May but they offered no help or solution; we will have to ditch BT if this can't be fixed

how do i contact BT from Switzerland without the ability to make calls?

[Kimberlin]

@san12345  Go and buy a local Swiss SIM card for the duration of your trip until you return to the UK.

Personally, knowing the issues you’ve already had on previous visits I’d have already gone to a different mobile provider to save the absolute hassle.

If you do buy a local Swiss SIM, you’ll need to take and show your passport as Swiss law requires SIM card registration. Or, if you have access to the internet and a compatible mobile phone, buy a eSIM online that allows both calls and data. I personally buy a data SIM prior to most overseas trips and make all my calls via WhatsApp if I’m not using free hotel WiFi.

[san12345]

thank you for your suggestions

we tried last time to buy a pay as you go sim but that isn't available here, you have to get a monthly account

we can get an esim from Revolut but this won't give us 5G calls; not everyone uses whatsapp/wifi calling!

i'm pretty disappointed that BT don't bother to monitor this community chat

i guess we're leaving BT...!

[Kimberlin]

@san12345  Sorry, I must have missed something, why do you specifically need to make calls on the 5g network? Isn’t 4g available? Surely you can buy an eSIM from Revolut and use that?

[san12345]

i don't need 5G or 4G specifically , i just want to be able to receive calls when someone in the UK dials my number!