It's not just Yallo. I don't know the exact prices, but do know that roaming is crazy expensive with all operators.

in lebara, just activating 3G while roaming (not acessing internet) cost 15 Sfrs in few sec.

You can switch it off or use airplane mode, then only switch it on when you need to send or check messages. I forgot to do this on my last trip, and was charged a tenner for a very long voicemail left by someone's phone calling me by accident whilst rattling around in their bag. Money well spent.

Seriously tempted to just keep my UK mobile!  Honestly last time i was in CH, i used my uk mobile for calls/txt and 3g data.. My bill at the end of the month wasn't a huge amount more than normal ..

It was something like £28 instead of the usual £15 .

Yup,

Done the same thing with Orange and got roped and branded.  I'm surprised they send a bill rather than standing at the side of the highway with two flintlock pistols and a black bandana obscuring their faces.

Avoid Sunrise too. They're crooks and their network is really bad, therefore you get roaming even while staying in Switzerland.

So, what's the best way to talk abroad then? Apart from Wifi and Skype/Viber...Never mind the internet access. Just to be available to call and receive

You didn't really expect that the 0.10CHF/min rates on some "cheap" networks would be valid everywhere...?

This is something that is oft forgotten: Switzerland is not in the EU. While EU mobile operators are heavily regulated now for roaming, Swiss operators can do and leave what they please. A 30sec inbound call to my Orange cell while I was in northern Cyprus last summer cost nearly 5CHF, because northern Cyprus is dependent on Turkish operators, which are not EU.

So, unless you already have an EU number I suggest you look into getting a French one to use on travels. In Geneva the reception is usually good so you can be contacted while you are at home as well. Just FYI, EU roaming is limited to something like 13€cent/min for outbound and 9€cent/min inbound, plus VAT.

The roaming charges I know are crazy and although I dont agree with, I accept.  The problem I have is being charged for a phone ringing and me not answering or touching a button.

0.80 cents for listening to my phone ring (assuming my voice mail is turned off, otherwise 2.60 chf)!

I had to pay CHF741 to Sunrise in 2010 for using my swiss phone gps navigation to drive from Finland to Switzerland beleiving that my subscription covered all Europe.

With that hard learning, I simply turn off my roaming as soon as my luggage is packed.Now I use the power VOIP through WIFI whenever I am out of Switzerland. And hey, don't forget to include your navigation device in your luggage if you enjoy driving outside Switzerland.

Bola

Apparently, you haven't understood the concept of voicemail on mobile. In fact, voicemail DOES pick up the phone for you, even while roaming - hence the "surprise" charges.

Yes, the amount, they charge is outrageous, but that is not the point.

I think it's shocking and appalling that criminals are allowed to roam.And I think they SHOULD be charged for this - though how much,well,that's really debateable.

(I keep seeing this post heading on the main Glocals page that says simply "Criminal Roaming charges..." - couldn't restrain myself any longer and finally had to speak out)