Local SIM or a Telestial Passport/Passport Plus SIM

Tony, I've recently looked into using services such as Telestial. As a general rule, buying a local SIM is the best option, but countries such as Italy, which require advance registration, muddy the picture a bit. These new policies that make it more difficult to get a local number may make it worthwhile to consider other options. The second-best solution is to use a SIM from a U.K. provider, such as T-Mobile U.K., and roam on that provider. Apparently, that is actually what you are doing with Telestial. The rates you get directly from T-Mobile U.K. are better than you'd get from any of the companies such as Telestial. You have to get a valid, working SIM, though, and have some way to add credit to it. (You can't do it online without a credit card valid issued in the U.K.) Third-best solution is to use one of the Europe phone service providers. There are some that are cheaper than others. Three of my posts in the General Europe forum discuss several of the services. Check out the "Purchase or rent cell phone for Europe thread. (www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/66842/purchase-or-rent-cell-phone-for-europe.html) Since posting those comments, I have some additional, supplemental comments: ++
Reading the comments on the Graffiti Wall, there were some negative comments about some of the options, especially Telestial, Planet Omni, Mobal, Onesim. There were positive comments for cellomobile.com, which has some good rates listed on its web site. In the interest of making this a completely thorough discussion, planetomni.com apparently offers the same services as telestial.com and cellularabroad.com offers the same National Geographic branded service as telestial. Brightroam.com is the same as iroam.com and roamforce.com.

Anthony, While a local SIM "may be a little less expensive", one advantage of the Telestial SIM (or one of the other travel phone firms), is that the phone would be fully operational as soon as you arrive in Europe. No need to visit a Cell shop, register or whatever. If you plan on using the phone for "limited use", the cost shouldn't be that much higher. A few other advantages of the "travel SIM": > It could be used for future trips. > It will likely be provided on a post-paid basis, so no worries about running out of minutes in the middle of a call, or "topping-up". > The rates will be consistent for most countries in western Europe. Good luck and happy travels!

Many thanks to Paul and Ken. I did see some of the negative comments on Telestial as well as a number of positives. The main attraction for me with Telestial is as Ken said, "No need to register and it works as soon as I arrive". At least that's the plan. Since I only plan on using it for contacting my B&B's, hotels, tour guides, etc... the cost shouldn't be an issue. I read somewhere that before I can use the internet in Italy I need to provide a valid phone number due to the terrorism laws in Italy. However, according to some of the message threads on that issue it sounds like using Wi-Fi doesn't require that at all. I plan on using my iPod Touch and internet cafes. Thanks again for your input Tony

You can walk into a TIM, Wind or Vodafone store in Italy and walk out with a local SIM card as long as you have your passport with you and they register the information on it. I just bought 2 SIM cards last month, 1 for an android phone the other for an iPad2, it took less than 15 minutes.