telephone & internet
Telephone
France
Orange, the most widely used telecom service in France, is located at 20 rue Voltaire in Ferney-Voltaire. Opening hours are listed on their website.
You will need to show proof of residency - take a utility bill with you.
To speak to someone at Orange in English call 09 69 36 39 00.
When the office is closed there is a message that refers you to a number for Technical Service problems: 39 00.
Switzerland
You can choose your phone service provider from a number of companies.
Here is a list of typical phrases used on the phone translated from English to French.
France
Orange, the most widely used telecom service in France, is located at 20 rue Voltaire in Ferney-Voltaire. Opening hours are listed on their website.
You will need to show proof of residency - take a utility bill with you.
To speak to someone at Orange in English call 09 69 36 39 00.
When the office is closed there is a message that refers you to a number for Technical Service problems: 39 00.
Switzerland
You can choose your phone service provider from a number of companies.
Here is a list of typical phrases used on the phone translated from English to French.
Cell Phones
France
There are many types of phones and plans available from Free, Orange and other telecom companies. Inexpensive prepaid phones can be purchased at phone stores, at Migros ValThoiry, etc. The basic ones do not have the latest features but may work for you if you only need 'pay as you go' calling.
You can buy inexpensive SIM cards at grocery stores, phone stores and tabacs. Make sure you get the right card so you can make international calls.
Switzerland
There are 3 mobile phone providers in Switzerland with their own infrastructure: Orange, Sunrise and Swisscom. Several providers that use one of these networks are: Aldi, Coop, Migros, Red Bull, TalkTalk, and Yallo.
Rates vary considerably; although Swisscom's rates are the highest, it also has the best network cover. Charges and rates can be compared at Jungle Compass, Bonus or Comparis. It's important to get the right card so you can make international calls, especially if you frequently call abroad. For example, TalkTalk offers a SIM card that allows you to make international calls from your mobile phone at the same rate as from your fixed line (e.g., CHF 0.05/0.06 per minute to most European countries). YALLO (Sunrise network) offers a SIM card for 9.90CHF which comes with 20CHF in credit, and is inexpensive for international calls.
You have to register the number to activate the SIM card. Instructions come with the card. To buy a sim card you need to present a document / passport.
Inexpensive prepaid phones and refill cards can be purchased at most post offices in Switzerland, and at Interdiscount, Mediamarkt, Coop, Migros, etc. The basic ones do not have the latest features but may work for you if you only need 'pay as you go' calling.
Here is a list of terms used for Cell Phones translated from English to French.
France
There are many types of phones and plans available from Free, Orange and other telecom companies. Inexpensive prepaid phones can be purchased at phone stores, at Migros ValThoiry, etc. The basic ones do not have the latest features but may work for you if you only need 'pay as you go' calling.
You can buy inexpensive SIM cards at grocery stores, phone stores and tabacs. Make sure you get the right card so you can make international calls.
Switzerland
There are 3 mobile phone providers in Switzerland with their own infrastructure: Orange, Sunrise and Swisscom. Several providers that use one of these networks are: Aldi, Coop, Migros, Red Bull, TalkTalk, and Yallo.
Rates vary considerably; although Swisscom's rates are the highest, it also has the best network cover. Charges and rates can be compared at Jungle Compass, Bonus or Comparis. It's important to get the right card so you can make international calls, especially if you frequently call abroad. For example, TalkTalk offers a SIM card that allows you to make international calls from your mobile phone at the same rate as from your fixed line (e.g., CHF 0.05/0.06 per minute to most European countries). YALLO (Sunrise network) offers a SIM card for 9.90CHF which comes with 20CHF in credit, and is inexpensive for international calls.
You have to register the number to activate the SIM card. Instructions come with the card. To buy a sim card you need to present a document / passport.
Inexpensive prepaid phones and refill cards can be purchased at most post offices in Switzerland, and at Interdiscount, Mediamarkt, Coop, Migros, etc. The basic ones do not have the latest features but may work for you if you only need 'pay as you go' calling.
Here is a list of terms used for Cell Phones translated from English to French.
REPAIRS - INSTALLATION - WEB SITE CREATION and more
Micro Center fixes mobiles without an appointment, and will come to your home or office to troubleshoot/repair your device.
Locations in Geneva, Cessy and Divonne-les-Bains (France)
Micro Center fixes mobiles without an appointment, and will come to your home or office to troubleshoot/repair your device.
Locations in Geneva, Cessy and Divonne-les-Bains (France)
Internet
France
First, you need to set up a telephone line (see above), then you can choose your Internet provider. For price comparisons, visit Ariase. If you choose a provider other than Orange, check to see if you need to open a bank account in France.
Two inexpensive providers are SFR Neuf, offering Mobiles, ADSL and Internet Mobile, and Free, offering Internet, Mobiles, Telephone and Television. With Free you can place free phone calls in Europe and many parts of the world - including USA & Canada - on fixed lines and mobiles.
The set-up time for installing an Internet service with Orange is approximately 10 days. The Orange store is located at 20 rue Voltaire in Ferney-Voltaire. Some people there speak a little English - ask to speak to one of them if necessary. Bring your rental agreement if applicable, and your French banking details to set up the account (some people have been able to set up an account in their name by phone without having a French bank account). The sales assistant will inform you of the type of DSL service in your area and the available bandwidth. The cost is approximately 35 EUR per month for Internet service and Livebox rental.
Switzerland
An internet connection is also provided by phone companies such as Salt, Sunrise, Swisscom, TalkTalk, or Cablecom - offering one of the fastest broadband connections.
France
First, you need to set up a telephone line (see above), then you can choose your Internet provider. For price comparisons, visit Ariase. If you choose a provider other than Orange, check to see if you need to open a bank account in France.
Two inexpensive providers are SFR Neuf, offering Mobiles, ADSL and Internet Mobile, and Free, offering Internet, Mobiles, Telephone and Television. With Free you can place free phone calls in Europe and many parts of the world - including USA & Canada - on fixed lines and mobiles.
The set-up time for installing an Internet service with Orange is approximately 10 days. The Orange store is located at 20 rue Voltaire in Ferney-Voltaire. Some people there speak a little English - ask to speak to one of them if necessary. Bring your rental agreement if applicable, and your French banking details to set up the account (some people have been able to set up an account in their name by phone without having a French bank account). The sales assistant will inform you of the type of DSL service in your area and the available bandwidth. The cost is approximately 35 EUR per month for Internet service and Livebox rental.
Switzerland
An internet connection is also provided by phone companies such as Salt, Sunrise, Swisscom, TalkTalk, or Cablecom - offering one of the fastest broadband connections.
International Phone Calls
Facetime, Viber and Whatsapp are the most used.
VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol uses the internet instead of landlines to make calls, so monthly charges are low and calls are cheap or free. They can provide you with a phone number in your home country that friends and family can call at local rates. It's also available for cell phones. VoIPReview.com compares providers to make your choice easy. There are many providers to chose from.
Country codes and IDD (International Diallng Direct) codes - explains how to dial to and from any country.
France
If calling within France dial the 10 digit phone number, eg: 04 50 00 00 00. If calling outside France dial the country code (33), then the phone number without the zero, eg: 33 4 50 00 00 00. City codes in France
Switzerland
In Geneva the city code is (022). If you are calling within Switzerland dial 022, then the 7 digit phone number. If you are calling from outside Switzerland, dial the country code (41), then the city code without the zero (22), then the 7 digit phone number. City codes in Switzerland
Facetime, Viber and Whatsapp are the most used.
VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol uses the internet instead of landlines to make calls, so monthly charges are low and calls are cheap or free. They can provide you with a phone number in your home country that friends and family can call at local rates. It's also available for cell phones. VoIPReview.com compares providers to make your choice easy. There are many providers to chose from.
Country codes and IDD (International Diallng Direct) codes - explains how to dial to and from any country.
France
If calling within France dial the 10 digit phone number, eg: 04 50 00 00 00. If calling outside France dial the country code (33), then the phone number without the zero, eg: 33 4 50 00 00 00. City codes in France
Switzerland
In Geneva the city code is (022). If you are calling within Switzerland dial 022, then the 7 digit phone number. If you are calling from outside Switzerland, dial the country code (41), then the city code without the zero (22), then the 7 digit phone number. City codes in Switzerland
- From a cell phone: Put a + sign before any country code and your cell phone will automatically dial
the international number. - From France to Switzerland, dial: 00, the country code (41), city code (without the zero), and phone number.
example: 41 22 767 61 11 - From Switzerland to France, dial: 00, the country code (33), city code (without the zero), and phone number.
example: 33 4 50 00 00 00 - To the US from France and Switzerland, dial: 001, the area code and phone number
- From the US, dial: 011, the country code and phone number (without the zero) eg: 011 41 22 767 61 11
Making Payments
France
Switzerland - pay at La Poste or use ebanking
France
- The most common way to pay bills is online via your bank account.
- Orange lets you pay by credit card quickly and easily on their website.
- For payments by phone you'll need to contact French Telecom each month as they do not have a system in place to store your credit card information for reoccurring payments. To speak to someone at France Telecom in English call +33 800 36 47 75.
- There is also the option of paying your bill at a post office in France, however La Poste charges approximately 9 EUR each time - simply request a payment form, fill in the details in French, and mail the receipt with your bill slip to Orange Internet.
Switzerland - pay at La Poste or use ebanking
© Newcomer Welcome Center 2011-2020