travelling to italy in a couple of weeks from usa and was going to get an esim for my phone but my phone is locked. I called my carrier (xfinity) and they said it couldnt be unlocked until the full amount was paid off for the phone (over $500). the international cost from my carrier is 10 dollars a days (80 for whole trip) and would be barely any data to get by. I need a way to at least be able to get data so I can get my way around and text/call through apps. I dont need any messaging or calls just data for the trip will do. any recommendations that don't cost too much? I was hoping to find something about $40 usd but everything seems to be about $70 usd. any help would be appreciated thank you.
Posted by
Boston
1804 posts
You could buy a used unlocked phone on EBay or buy a phone and minutes when you get to Italy.
See this thread or use the Search box above for more: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/unlocking-cell-phones
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7225 posts
Here is your previous post with suggestions
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/need-a-good-portable-wifi-option
Or just use free WiFi
We manage just fine with that
Or $10 day is reasonable, simple
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1144 posts
You'll need something to get you wifi data from cellular signals which means either a cheap phone you use and/or use as a hotspot or a cellular modem like this one:
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile-broadband/pay-monthly-contracts/mobile-wifi/vodafone/r219-mobile-wi-fi-hotspot
The above modem seems to be vodaphone in the UK but they are one of the top 2 providers in Italy as well.
I'd search for "mobile hot spot" or "mifi" from Italian providers and see what your options are.
Wind Tre has similar looking products: https://www.windtre.it/wifi-portatile
I know TIM offers home wifi converters but they are designed to plug into the wall for home use and probably won't work for what you need. I don't see them listing a mobile device but I may have missed it.
You will definitely need to visit a store - probably one of the larger ones - and work out the process of buying and activating a device like this. Most of these devices come with data limits and will need to be "topped up" as you use them.
Hope it works out for you,
=Tod
Posted by
OP
5 posts
thanks for your replies, I've found an old iPhone I could use but it's not new enough for me to an esim onto it so I'll have to get a physical sim for it while I'm there.