SIM Card for Italy

Bob, If you want to buy and charge it before you go, then something like Mobal is an option. You can buy from their website or via Amazon.com. It won't be as cheap as buying a TIM SIM card when you get there, but it is easier to do and in English all the time. Mathew

Bob, You have several options..... 1.) Wait until you arrive in Italy, and buy a PAYG SIM card there. This will include a small air time credit, and will provide a local number and the cheapest rates when used in Italy. You'll have to present your Passport and "register" and may need some help getting it set up. 2.) Purchase a "travel SIM" from one of the travel phone firms such as Roam Simple, Call In Europe, Cellular Abroad, Telestial or Mobal. Some of these will have UK numbers, but will provide consistent rates in Italy and other countries in western Europe. These are usable as soon as you land in Europe. 3.) Buy a country-specific SIM cards from one of the travel phone firms. For example: www.telestial.com/sim_bridge.php?ID=IT Although the TIM version shows "Out of Stock", you're not leaving until December so may be able to get one by that time. Some of the SIM cards from the travel phone firms use post-paid billing, with calls charged to a credit card. Happy travels!

Bob, I'm pretty firmly in the "get a local SIM" camp, but there are SIM cards sold in the U.S. that are supposed to work in Italy. One company, ekit, does sell the Italian TIM SIM, but shows it as "out of stock" on its website. Ekit also sells a "passport SIM," which gives you a U.K. SIM that can roam in Italy and at fairly decent rates that are just a bit more than you'd pay with a TIM SIM. One drawback: an initial cost of $69 for the SIM, but I have found them for sale on ebay for less. Given your desire to buy the SIM before you go, you might consider checking out this service. Note, however, that using one of the "universal" SIM cards won't meet your requirement to have an Italian phone number. I must ask, though, whether going to this trouble and expense is worth it for just a week's trip? You can roam on AT&T or T-Mobile for almost an hour before you'd equal the initial cost of this travel SIM. Do you think you'll be on the phone in Italy for an hour? To make local calls, there is always a payphone or Skype if you can get an Internet connection.

Thanks to all for the excellent information..and Paul...that's a great point about roaming on my home cell phone........ I'm going to check out Verizon and see what the damage would be. Never thought of that.

Bob, a normal Verizon phone won't work in Europe, but I think you know that by your first message noting you have a quad-band GSM phone. Verizon offers international service and sells a few phones that work in both the U.S. and Europe so they may sell or rent a SIM card to use overseas. I know they have loaner GSM phones so they must equip those with SIMs. The big advantage is you get to keep your Verizon number. The disadvantage is the cost, but that is something you can control. I have a Verizon prepaid phone, but it is a backup phone for us. Consequently, I don't have personal experience trying to use a Verizon account overseas. Others here do, however, and I'm sure they'll post messages giving you the benefit of their experience.

It is becoming harder to purchase Italian SIM cards outside of Italy, due to the increased concern over global terrorism. The Italian government is tightening regulations and control of who can use their cell phone systems. Companies that once were able to sell the SIMs here are finding it difficult or impossible to get them for resale now. Even purchasing them in Italy has become harder in recent days. Most of the SIMs available right now offer a UK number, which will work for outgoing calls. However, it is simply not convenient for my friends in Italy to call me, as it is a long distance call for them. I was able to locate Italian SIMs on Amazon.com. You may also find them on Ebay. But act quickly, as I'm sure they will sell out fast now that they are getting hard to find. Hope that helps. Enjoy your trip! Amber
Houston, TX 8/19/11

Thanks to all for your replies !!! Bob

RB That SIM is compatible with the quad-band unlocked ATT/TMobile cell phone?

Three weeks ago I bought a TIM simm card at their store in Stazione Termini. It is located upstairs next to the Ciao Ristorante facing the front door and the Piazza Cinquecento. I paid 10 euro and it is rechargeable at any tabccchi, phone store, or edicola (newsstand). Maybe you should wait until you arrive in Italy and you can buy one. There is also a store at Leonardo Di Vinci Airport.

As suggested, I'd go to a site like Roam Simple, Call In Europe, Cellular Abroad, Telestial or Mobal and read about the SIM options and functionality. Unfortunately, options at the FCO are more limited now for arriving passengers. You can read this article for more info on Purchasing a Phone or SIM at FCO Airport. If you wait until you get into Rome, there are plenty of options. On my street, in a two-block range, there were six different phone stores where you could purchase a SIM card. Roma Termini also has a few locations including a Smartphone store and a TIM store. All you'll need is your passport and an unlocked phone. If you're returning often to Italy (or Europe), it can be a cost savings. I think we were paying .09 cents a minute on TIM for calls and SMS in Italy... and about 45 cents/minute to call the US (which we never did by cell, rather we used Skype or our Vonage VOIP phone).

Bob, The TIM simm card was compatible with my Motorola unlocked, gsm, quad band phone. The whole process is simple and easy. I bought the rechargeable simm card and it is easy to buy more time.

If you buy a TIM international SIM card right now, the price is 8 cents for calls in Italy and most of Europe, 20 cents for USA. (This plus a 16 cents start up charge for each call). Overall, very cheap. It is easy and fast to buy one in Italy. This however, does not allow you to buy it and charge it before you go. As someone mentioned above, there is a TIM store in Stazione Termini. If you are not passing through Termini, I can give you other ones in the center of Rome.