SIM card again

karen,

It would help to have a bit of further information on the phone that you're using and which network you're with? Some details on the intended usage of the phone would also be nice.

Buying a SIM card for each country is certainly one option if you have an unlocked handset, but not the option I'd choose. You could also look at "Travel SIM's" from firms such as Cellular Abroad, Mobal or others. You could also roam with your home network is you're with either AT&T or T-Mobile, and have a quad-band handset. Aslo, don't forget to check the Charger for your Cell phone to ensure that it's designed for "world" operation on 220 VAC electrical systems.

Cheers!

Any SIM card will work in its home country or other countries. Your USA SIM will work in France and Italy. The downside is that you pay international roaming rates when using it outside the issuing country. And you pay for incoming calls.

If you have a SIM chip from country Z inside your phone while in country Z, then you get far less expensive rates for calls both within Z and to other countries. And incoming calls are free.

and just Italy specific...

I do not know of anywhere in Italy where you can get a SIM card from a machine. By Italian law, you are required to show a passport/official photo ID, as well as a codice fiscale (Italian "fiscal code" which is basically a government issued tax ID)

I have read on other travel forums that people have been able to get some dealers in tourist-heavy areas to generate a fiscale code and issue the SIM...I, personally have tried in a smaller town when I needed a SIM and was turned down until I went back to my home and came back to the store with my codice fiscale for them to register. (you are able to purchase Italian SIM cards via the internet form the US - I once used a company called cellularabroad - do not though that they are much more expensive that way..but you do then have a contact phone number to give out back home before you leave)

The best SIM card for Europe is a brand called EKIT.

My wife and I tried one of these on our recent trip to Italy/France. We used our own unlocked GSM phone. People in US can can call our number toll free.

The best way to buy it is on eBay. On eBay search "Italy SIM" and you will see several listed at a discounted rate. The best thing about it is it works the same in ALL of western Europe, handy if you are going to be in more than one country. The number you get is a UK number.

Also, it works out to be cheaper US calling rates than if you were to buy an Italy SIM from cellular abroad or brightroam.

One more thing, the SIM we found on eBay was called the "Passport" (you can see the plan on the ekit site) and we got it on eBay for a flat $20 with free shipping. I don't know why more people don't know about this. We almost purchased a confusing Italy SIM.