Natel is a term used in Suisse to indicate a Mobile phone, it acts of a Marque used like name. In 1975, postal and telecommunications authorities decide to introduce a mobile telephone network for the vehicles under the name of Natel ( Na tionales Auto' tel' efonnetz = national automobile Phone network) within the framework of the economic programme of promotion of the Federal council. Following the dismantling of the postal and telecommunications authorities in 1998 and with the liberalization of telecommunications, Swisscom remains owner of the mark Natel and is the only operator with being able to use this word, even if the term is usually used to indicate a mobile phone whatever is the operator (Orange, Sunrise, Tele2, etc)

Development of technology

• 1978 : startup of the 1st network partial (Analogical Natel A) with a Frequency of Band-width with 160 M Hz
• 1980: startup of Natel B (always to 160 MHz) in the shape of a portable radiotelephone of 12 kg
• 1987: brought into service of Natel C which passes to 900 MHz
• 1993: brought into service of Natel D which adopts a digital system of transmission (GSM with 900 MHz)
• 1996: brought into service of Natel E which passes to 1800 MHz (not very used designation)