Keeping in Touch in Sweden

Living in one of the most technologically advanced and connected societies in the world means that keeping in touch in Sweden could hardly be easier.

Sweden has one of the fastest internet speeds in the world, and more than 90 percent of households in the country are connected. Most internet, telephone and postal services are also reliable and relatively affordable.

Internet in Sweden

Fibre optic is one of the most common types of internet connection in Sweden, while broadband is another popular choice. Broadband connections are typically serviced to your home via DSL or a modem. Although this service isn't quite as fast or reliable as a modem or WiFi connection, Sweden's connection speeds in general are quite fast compared to many other places worldwide.

It may be difficult for you to get a contract for a subscription when you first move to Sweden, since you may not have a Swedish bank account or ID number (personnummer) yet. In some cases, you may need to have had an ID number for six months before you can sign a contract with a company. In this case, buying a monthly prepaid mobile broadband USB device is an option. 

Fortunately, most rental properties will include an internet connection as part of the rental cost, or you may be able to add one at a reasonable cost, eliminating the need for you to get a contract yourself.

Many public areas in Sweden have WiFi available either for free or at a very low cost. In some cases, such as in train stations, you should be prepared to pay with a debit card or credit card that is accepted in the EU. Many public buses and trains offer WiFi during journeys between cities.

Useful links

• Swedish Telecoms and Post Authority

Mobile phones in Sweden

Smartphones are prevalent in Sweden and the quality of service available, along with various applications such as Skype, make it easier than ever to keep in touch with people in other countries. If you have a phone from your home country that supports GSM, you can use it in Sweden. 

Electronics in Sweden can be expensive compared with the rest of Europe and many other countries, so it could be a good idea for you to buy or bring your phone from elsewhere and then activate it in Sweden.

Getting a mobile phone contract in Sweden can be tricky for expats for the same reasons as getting an internet contract. Many things in Sweden, not just mobile phone and internet service contracts, become much easier and accessible once you have a Swedish personal number and bank account.

If you don't have those yet or don't want to commit to a contract, prepaid phone plans work perfectly well. You can buy credit for prepaid phones online or at convenience or grocery stores.

You should be aware that directions for how to do this are in Swedish, whether on the provider's website or on the credit receipt. The first few times you add credit, you may need help with translation to ensure that you complete everything correctly.

If you'll be working in Sweden, you'll be delighted to find that it is common for companies to provide employees with a mobile phone and a generous voice, text and mobile broadband plan.

Useful links

• Telenor
• Telia
• Tele2

Postal services in Sweden

The Swedish postal service, provided by PostNord, is generally reliable and efficient. Stamps can be bought at post offices, which are usually integrated with other shops, such as grocery stores, gas stations, and kiosks. With digital innovation, you can now also buy postage online on PostNord's website. 

Sending packages abroad can be quite costly, depending on size, but the many international shipping services in Sweden make this easier. There are also yellow postboxes available throughout the country where you can place your package for shipping. When receiving a package, you will often get a slip that directs you to pick it up at the nearest postal service desk.

Shipping time is quite prompt, with packages from the US to Sweden taking an average of approximately two weeks. That said, over the holidays, when Sweden operates more slowly, packages will take considerably longer to arrive.

Useful links

• PostNord Sweden

English media in Sweden

Although Swedish is the national language in Sweden, local media is inclusive and often publishes articles and programmes in the English language. National large newspapers like Aftonbladet have English news sections. The English-language service of the national broadcaster Sveriges Radio (Radio Sweden) also publishes programmes and news in English, making it easy for you to find out what is happening in your community. 

The Local Sweden is the foremost digital publication that most expats in Sweden visit for their daily dose of news and lifestyle offerings. Thanks to the proliferation of fast and reliable internet connections, streaming has become popular in Sweden. This makes it simple for you to access English-language TV programmes through streaming services like Sky Stream or Netflix. 

Useful links

• Aftonbladet
• Radio Sweden
• The Local Sweden
• Sky Stream