international phone

Frank, Before offering any suggestions, it would help to know if you presently have a Cell phone and if so, which network you're with and which model phone you're using? As you want to receive calls from the U.S., a phone purchased in Europe is perhaps not the best idea as that means those calling you will have to dial an international long distance call each time (which they may be reluctant to do). Cheers!

Ken, I do not have a cell phone to use in Europe. Starting from scratch. Would rather leave U.S. with phone in hand. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks so much....Frank

The question was "do you have a cell phone"...not "do you have a cell phone for Europe". It wasn't an arbitrary question - it does actually make a difference.

Frank, One of the easiest options you might consider would be phone service from one of the "travel phone" firms, such as Roam Simple, Cellular Abroad, Call In Europe, Telestial, Mobal, EuroBuzz, etc. I've been using one for the last few years and so far it's working well. You could either buy a basic, inexpensive, unlocked quad-band GSM phone off E-Bay and use a SIM card from the travel phone firm OR purchase the phone with SIM card from them. Buying a phone off E-Bay would give you more choice in terms of the style of phone (ie: flip or candy bar). There are always brand new phones offered in addition to used phones. Buying from the "travel phone" firm would be the quickest solution, but they probably won't offer more than one or two models. Many of firms mentioned above use U.K. based numbers. Some use post-paid billing (calls charged to a credit card) so no need to "top up" when the minutes are depleted. As you want to receive calls from the U.S., one of biggest advantages is that at least one of the firms offers a local number option, which is linked to the travel phone. That means that people calling you will only need to dial a local number and the call will be re-directed to where ever your phone is. Of course, you'll be paying for incoming and outgoing calls (if you keep calls short, that's not a big problem). One concern about receiving calls from home is that you may get calls in the "wee hours" of the morning from people that didn't bother to check the time difference. Those are especially annoying! Check the websites for the above firms to get some idea whether that might work for you. Cheers!

Verizon has a rental program for a global phone, free for short trips. Calls and text are charged as used - but reasonably priced. Uses your existing cell number. It worked great for keeping in touch with my daughters! But I wonder if someone calls me from Europe would pay for an international call?
Some hotels asked for a cell contact number but otherwise the only calls are from the US.

This is more of an FYI-We were in Italy in April 2013 and wanted to use Vonage and Vibe(2 free apps for voice and text which use the internet) so purchased "global Plan" from ATT for $30 each phone. I was NEVER able to use it; the internet was never available. Wifi at hotels was better but still dropped connection all the time and would need to re-enter password, etc. On the bright side: AT&T refunded entire amt. So don't count on any internet/data-based communication method.
-Carol

If you have a GSM dual band phone in the US (AT&T) it will work in Europe. If you've had a contract with your carrier for at least 2 years with that phone (i.e. it's paid for) they will unlock it for you. Generally you will need to call your carrier, provide the IMEI# (see label under the battery) and they will let you know if your phone qualifies for unlocking. If it does, they will provide an unlocking code that you need to enter when you insert the Italian SIM card. If you don't have a GSM dual/quad band phone, then you can buy one on Amazon.com. They cost as little as under $25 (new). Search for "unlocked GSM phone quad band (or dual band)". Once you have the unlocked GSM phone (dual or quad band), the cheapest way is to go to a cell phone store in Italy and purchase a SIM card there. My preferred carriers in Italy are Vodafone and TIM. Also Wind is good, but some isolated countryside areas are not as well covered. Look for a store with the logos of the above carriers. Look for them online if you need. You can also buy a SIM card in the US (see Ken's suggestions above), but their rates aren't as cheap. If you buy one in Italy it will be less than 10 cents a minute for local calls and less than 50 cents to call the US. See next post for buying a SIM card in Italy.

To buy a SIM card while in Italy you need the following documents: PASSPORT LOCAL ADDRESS (your hotel will do) CODICE FISCALE (Italian Tax Code) You can obtain you codice fiscale as follows Go to the website below: http://www.comuni.it/servizi/codfisc/ Enter the following in the boxes provided: COGNOME= Last Name NOME= First Name (as it appears in passport, middle name included, if you have one in the passport) SESSO=Sex (M=Maschio, F=Femmina) COMUNE/PROV= Place of Birth. In your case enter STATI UNITI (if you were born in the US). Then in the second box for Provincia enter EE (EE=esteri=overseas).
DATA DI NASCITA=Date of birth Click on CALCOLA Print the card and take with you to Italy. Don't forget to file your tax return in Italy also (Just kidding, Frank! Not even Italians pay taxes!)

I want to thank all of you for information. I have secured phones due to your help. I do not have a carrier with my U.S. cell phone that provides overseas service, but with your information was able to order appropriate phones. Thank you very much, Frank

Frank, You're very welcome! Hope the phones work well for you.