Unlocked iPhone 4 in Europe?

Niki, Could you provide a bit more information on your travel plans? You indicated that you'd be starting with a month or so in Italy. Where do you go after that, and for how long? I assume you've "done your homework" with respect to the Schengen Visa and stays longer than three months? Regarding the iPhone, you can buy a SIM card in Europe, but you may have to wait until you reach the location you'll be living. If you were to buy a SIM in Italy, once you arrived at your permanent location you'd be "roaming" so the rates would be higher for the duration of your trip. There have been a few reports lately indicating that some retailers in Italy are requiring not only registration of customers using a Passport, but also a Codice Fiscale (local tax number) for purchase of SIM cards. However this seems to be applied in some cases and ignored in others. You may be able to obtain a PAYG SIM on a voice + data plan in some countries, however I don't have any information on that. More than likely, you'll be required to lock onto a Term Plan in order to get voice and data. Happy travels!

Thank you for all the replies! @Ken, I will be teaching English and will be getting a work visa. I for sure do not want to do any of the international plans (through ATT) so am hoping I will be able to just get a pre-paid SIM card when I get there but have just not heard of someone actually doing that with the iPhone (there has to be people doing it though?). The main thing I am wanting is use of my apps/google maps etc and I know wi-fi seems to be spotty in Italy so hopefully I can get on a network there. I plan on using Skype for most of my phone calls home. Not sure about texting yet either though.... I will definitely check out these links, thank you so much!

Niki, you're going to get some other replies, but this is a much-discussed topic in the forum. Here are the links to some recent discussions that pertain to Italy. i phone use in europe iphone charger / adapter in Italy iphone in Italy iPhone in Italy iPhone virgin asks: Will I be able to send email via wifi? I think you can get a voice and data plan that is prepaid.

Do some research in the Trip Advisor Rome forum. There has been discussion there recently on prepaid sims which include data. I don't recall the cost, but they're not expensive.