Cell phone advice for a Verizon user

Did they tell you that your phone is not capable of global communication? Assuming they did, look at http://www.travelcell.com/rates/europe/italy.asp to rent the phone. Free incoming calls to Italy and free incoming texts, outgoing are less than a dollar and the daily rental is $2/day plus shipping fees.

Thanks. I think they said it was more expensive to roam. Do you think I have time for them to ship the phone? I will check. Thanks!

I have a Blackberry Bold and am a verizon customer. To use my phone in Italy, I was quoted $1.29 minute to talk, 50 cents to send a text and 5 cents to receive a text. Verizon has no "fee" to activate international calling. I was advised to turn off my data service completely while out of the country because it is outrageously expensive.

We bought a motorola v190 quad band phone on ebay for $17 and then activated it in Italy for 10 euros, which included 5 euros of talk time. Had good coverage and performance on our trip. People who used US phones and their expensive plans complained they did not have very good coverage.

I'm counting on my 3G network (or are they up to 4G?) I will post "first hand experience" when I get back as to the quality of reception and coverage.

I'm a Verizon customer. Whenever we go to Italy, we get a rental from Verizon. It costs $10.00 (I believe for shipping.) If I remember correctly, it cost $1.00 per minute and 50 cents for a text. I know that is expensive, but I pretty much had the phone for emergency situations. Maybe the reason the Verizon rep told you to rent a cheap phone in Italy was because there may not be enough time to ship the phone to you.

My suggestion is to buy or borrow an iPad. You can turn them off and on, pick up email and use it as a phone, but only if necessary. Emergencies need a phone and in that case, money is the least of the problems, otherwise email is quick, efficient, and wifi is easy to find. I carry my Verizon phone, but keep it turned off. Also, be sure to turn off the data package before you travel.

Laurie, Given the short time until departure, your options might be limited. I believe there are three choices you could look at: 1.) Contact Verizon regarding their "loaner" phones that someone mentioned in a previous reply. The rates are a bit steep, but if you're only planning to use it for occasional calls that may be acceptable. 2.) Purchase an inexpensive phone from one of the "travel phone" firms such as Roam Simple, Call In Europe, Cellular Abroad, Telestial or Mobal. While time is short, it should be possible to have it delivered overnight via FedEx or UPS. The rates will be a bit higher than using a phone purchased in Italy, but one advantage is that the phone will be ready as soon as you step off the plane. Calls are charged to a credit card, so you won't have to worry about topping up, or "running out of minutes" in the middle of a call. 3.) Purchase an inexpensive PAYG Phone when you arrive in italy. This will provide the cheapest rates for calls within Italy, as well as a local number. Anyone calling you from the U.S. will have to dial an international long distance call. You'll need to present your Passport to be "registered" and you'll probably need help setting it up as everything will be in Italian. In some cases, the phone may not be "active" for a few hours after you arrive. If you take a phone with you, be sure that the Charger is designed for use on 220 VAC electrical systems. DON'T forget to take at least one Plug Adapter (preferably two). The Euro style Plug Adapter has two round pins. Happy travels!