I'm looking for a good mobile phone provider for Italy. We will be arriving in Naples and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with purchasing a Sim card for a dumb phone in Naples? Also, any advice about which provider is most reliable for Italy? We will be arriving at the airport but will need to call our host at our vrbo rental in Vomero and check-in ASAP. So I think we might be better off getting the Sim card the next day and just using our (very expensive) ATT business Sim card for one call. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15161 posts
TIM, Vodafone, Wind and 3 are, in this order, the four largest providers.
Any store or authorized dealer can sell you a SIM card.
Not sure about the availability of voice and text plans only for dumb phones nowadays. I think now they have only plans with data, but you can ask at the stores.
I think only the Poste Italiane, the Italian Postal Service (believe it or not they are a mobile phone provider too) has voice and text only nowadays.
Posted by
California 🦋
5210 posts
Kay,
Make sure your phone is unlocked, otherwise you will not be able to use it, even if you buy a SIM card in Italy.
As Roberto has pointed out, most cell phone dealerships should be able to sell you a SIM card for your phone.
I took my dumb phone to Spain in 2015 & was able to buy a SIM card that provided 400 minutes (domestic & international)
for €10/month!
So, you should be able to find a SIM card for your phone in Italy too.
Another option, (which I've done) you could buy a prepaid phone card at the airport or train station & use a pay phone to contact your vrbo rental upon arrival (until you figure out where to buy a SIM card).
AT&T's 'Passport Plan', is very expensive, even for dumb phones... $30/month plus $1/minute of call time!
Posted by
OP
Berkeley, California, US
612 posts
Thanks Roberto and Priscilla. Roberto, I'm sure this is going to sound obvious but I guess this means I just go to the local post office in Naples, right? Do you know if the offer Sim cards through various providers or do they have their own? Priscilla, yes my phone is unlocked. I used it with great success in France using Lebara. I'm glad to hear you were able to get a Sim card for your dumb phone in Spain. I will try to contact a couple providers in Naples to see if I can find out what kind of deals they might be offering and their locations. And yes, good advice about the phone card. I actually have one that will work and isn't expensive, so if I can find a pay phone I will try that. Do either of you know anything about Lycamobile?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15161 posts
I couldn't find it in the English version of the website (I'm sure it's there somewhere). But you can use Google Translate.
http://www.postemobile.it/assistenza/come-diventare-cliente/come-diventare-cliente-da-ufficio-postale
You will need to fill out the form below and go to a post office.
http://www.postemobile.it/Assistenza/Documents/Modulo%20attivazione%20SIM_da_UP_DEF_290909.pdf
You will need a codice fiscale too to get a number in Italy. Usually stores get it for you online, not sure about the post office.
You can also buy online. Not sure they ship overseas.
https://www.postemobile.it/areaprotetta/Pagine/AsnPriceListChoose.aspx?PriceType=0
To generate your codice fiscale go here
http://zip-codes.nonsolocap.it/codice-fiscale/
Use STATI UNITI for USA
Your name must match your passport. If you have a middle name include it in your first name.
Posted by
OP
Berkeley, California, US
612 posts
Thanks, Roberto. Very much appreciated.
Kay