SBB FreeSurf 4+
Free Internet
SBB AG
-
- Free
Screenshots
Description
Internet access free of charge from the app. SBB FreeSurf is available on all SBB long-distance trains (IC and IR). SBB FreeSurf is based on the excellent mobile phone coverage along the Swiss rail routes – passengers can benefit from a faster and smoother internet connection with more bandwidth than you get with conventional train Wi-Fi. Customers with a digitec, Quickline, Salt (Das Abo, GoMo, Lidl Connect are included), Sunrise or Swisscom mobile phone contract can surf the internet for free with die SBB FreeSurf app.
Passengers from abroad will be able to surf the internet for free with a SIM card (also eSIM) from a mobile phone provider participating in SBB FreeSurf. Trains with a free internet connection are marked with ‘FS’ (for FreeSurf) in the online timetable.
When boarding the train, the customers can open the SBB FreeSurf app. Automatic recognition takes place using a beacon. After registering successfully, the customers will receive an SMS text confirming that they can surf for free via their mobile phone provider. When alighting from the train or switching off the connection, you will receive a message stating that free internet access is no longer active. We only need customers to provide the mobile number to be used for registration.
What’s New
Version 1.3.4
Improving security in the registration process
Ratings and Reviews
Why only for Swiss cellphone subscribers?
I find it incredible that we still don‘t have an open-access WiFi on Swiss trains. SBB restricts WiFi to people who have a Swiss mobile phone subscription - i.e. those who don‘t really need WiFi in the first place.
As a foreigner or a Swiss living abroad, you need WiFi because you *don‘t* have a subscription: at best, you buy a Swiss prepaid eSIM, not a subscription. The cellphone providers are part of this app‘s scam because they want to continue charging foreigners those eye-watering roaming costs. SBB, as a state-owned enterprise, should not be in on this roaming scam.
Developer Response ,
Travelers from abroad can surf for free on the train with a SIM card from a participating provider. Thanks to eSIM and DUAL-SIM, this is comparatively easy. It is correct that you pay a one-off fee for the SIM card, but you then have a corresponding amount of credit available for use outside the train. All information about SBB FreeSurf is available at www.sbb.ch/en/freesurf
Shame
Only works with Swiss mobile number.
Following up the developers response - surely everyone has a dual sim phone, time and money to get a SIM card explicitly for the app.
Developer Response ,
Passengers from abroad can browse the web for free using a SIM card from a participating provider. This is relatively easy thanks to eSIM and DUAL-SIM.
App Privacy
The developer, SBB AG, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
- Contact Info
- Identifiers
- Diagnostics
Privacy practices may vary based on, for example, the features you use or your age. Learn More
Information
- Provider
-
SBB has identified itself as a trader for this app and confirmed that this product or service complies with European Union law.
- Address
- Lindenhofstrasse 1 3000 Bern Switzerland
- Phone Number
- +41 848446688
- mobile@sbb.ch
- Size
- 46 MB
- Category
- Travel
- Compatibility
-
- iPhone
- Requires iOS 14.0 or later.
- iPad
- Requires iPadOS 14.0 or later.
- iPod touch
- Requires iOS 14.0 or later.
- Apple Vision
- Requires visionOS 1.0 or later.
- Languages
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English, French, German, Italian
- Age Rating
- 4+
- Copyright
- © 2019 SBB Personenverkehr
- Price
- Free