SIM card in Italy, buy here or there?

Brigette,

Regardless of which option you choose, two IMPORTANT things to consider:

Your GSM phone must have the European cell frequencies. I've encountered other travellers from the U.S. who were puzzled that their "GSM Phone" wouldn't work in Europe. When I checked the network settings, I discovered they were using a dual-band phone which only had the two North American frequencies.

You MUST ensure that your phone is UNLOCKED, or it won't work with any other SIM cards!

You might check the "travel Phone" firms such as Call In Europe, Roam Simple, Cellular Abroad, Telestial or Mobal to determine if one of their products will fit your needs.

Also, BE SURE to check the Charger for your phone to ensure that it's designed for "world operation". If not you'll have to travel with a Voltage Converter. In any case, you'll need a Plug Adapter specific to the countries you'll be visiting.

Good luck and happy travels!

You can easily buy an unlocked phone on eBay if you don't already have one or if you can't get the phone you have unlocked. (Actually, I have two, so I should maybe sell one myself!)

It's a lot cheaper to buy a pay-as-you-go SIM when you arrive, and you can do it as soon as you get off the plane. But you might want to do a little research first, before you leave, to figure out which carrier offers the best deal on calls back to the US on a PAYG plan. Alternatively, you could get the SIM, give the people you need to talk to back in the US your Italian phone number, and have them call you, since incoming calls will cost you nothing.

Thanks.
My phone is HTC touch pro 2. My carrier is US Cellular. I have contacted them and they said that my phone will work in Italy with a SIM card.
I will need to buy at airport since we are getting car and immediately driving south for awhile. So I would like it set up at airport, so I don't have to search around the city for it. So there is several phone stores in airport? Any one know which ones for sure? So I can compare prices before I leave?

Brigette,

It would be a REALLY good idea to obtain some further information from your carrier.

The network specifications for U.S. Cellular indicate that they operate a CDMA 1XRTT network. I can assure you that CDMA products will NOT WORK in Europe! Further to that, the specifications for the HTC Touch Pro 2 shown on their website indicate that the technology used is "CDMA 1X/EVDO REV A". Again, this is NOT compatible with GSM networks in Europe.

The GSM Association indicates that U.S. Cellular is planning to roll out a GSM network, but that won't tentatively start until this August.

If by some chance you DO have a GSM version of the HTC Touch Pro 2, you would still have to ensure that its unlocked, otherwise it WON'T work with any other SIM cards. It could be a "dual technology" phone, having both GSM and CDMA (similar to some versions of the Blackberry). You can verify this by looking at the phone to see if it has a small "tray" where the SIM card fits (check the owner's manual also.

It wouldn't surprise me if you've been given incorrect technical information by front-counter staff at your local Cell network. I've seen this many times in the past.

Another point to make is that if you're planning to travel with a "Smart Phone", you likely WON'T be able to use the data functions (E-mail, web surfing) with a SIM card that you buy in Italy. This isn't usually available to those visiting and using a PAYG plan. Also, data roaming is VERY expensive! However you could use Wi-Fi, where this is available.

Good luck!

You can buy a SIM card on ebay for about $20 that will give you $10 in credit, .49/min outgoing calls and free incoming calls.

You may find a better deal at the airport but if you are looking for convenience it is not necessary to wait.

Steve,

While there IS a GSM version of the HTC Touch Pro 2, you might want to have a look at the model shown on the U.S. Cellular website. It's probable that's where the OP obtained her phone, and from what I've been able to determine the model that she bought was likely a CDMA version.

IMHO, it would be prudent to check this carefully before departure, and determine whether or not the phone is in fact a GSM model. That's why I suggested she check the phone to determine if it has a "SIM tray". That's usually a good indicator!

Cheers!

Ken & Steve:
My phone does have a "slot" for a SIM card. My carrier (through the 800 number) told me it is not unlocked, but WILL work in Italy??
I will definitely call them again, and talk to someone else and use the info. you have provided to make sure.
Thanks!

Brigette,

As the phone has a "SIM tray", that's a good sign that it's a GSM phone. According to the spec's listed on the US Cellular website at ( www.uscellular.com/uscellular/cell-phones/phoneDetailsPopup.jsp?IDparam=prod690012 ) there was no mention of GSM (sorry, I can't provide a direct internet link from the PC I'm using at the moment).

As previously mentioned by myself and others, the phone MUST be unlocked in order to use SIM cards from any other networks. You'll have to check with your carrier to determine whether they're willing to unlock it (perhaps for a small charge).

Does U.S. Cellular even offer GSM roaming? They're a fairly recent entry to GSM networks, and they may not have roaming agreements with European networks in place yet?

Just a reminder, you may want to have another look at the travel SIM's, as at least one is offering FREE SIM's at the present time. That way you'd be set up and ready to go before arrival in Europe, and be able to deal with any issues with the SIM or calling plans. You'd also be able to give the number to friends and family before you leave.

Good luck!

Steve,

You'll probably find that the reason that U.S. Cellular ONLY offers international roaming to those few destinations, is because it's uses their CDMA network. The countries in the Caribbean that are listed are some of the few "dinosaurs" still using CDMA technology.

They DON'T appear to offer international roaming in Europe, as they're not "up to speed" with their conversion to GSM yet. I believe they start offering GSM services tomorrow (if everything is on schedule).

Cheers!

Called US Cellular today..........Verdict is: There is NO roaming charges charged by US Cellular while I am in Italy. All I need to do is go to a Local company and buy a pre-paid SIM card, slip in and it will work!! (then again, always praying I receive correct information). Although, this was the second service tech. I talked to about this, with same info.
So I think I am ready to go...........Now all I need to do is research companies with the best rates.
Thanks all for your help :)

Hi Brigette, Will be in Italy next week, did you finish your research on best place to buy sim card? I would appreciate the info. Thanks, Chavez

No I haven't. I am just going to look in the Rome airport for a Kiosk to get one. Have fun on your trip!