The phone I currently have is unlocked and has a SIM card slot. If I buy a SIM card in Italy, that would give me a local Italian number correct? Are the SIM cards there only for voice calls or do they have some that have data plans? Do you know if your apps are available while on the Italian SIM card or do you have to download them again. Trying to see if there is a way to perhaps use Google Translate when I'm not around a WIFI area.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16235 posts
SIM cards can be purchased for data also. Ask for
"una scheda SIM ricaricabile, anche per navigare in Internet sul mio smartphone" However it costs a lot of money to navigate on internet with these pay as you go cards, even with a local sim, unless you purchase a data option (usually per week or month, no contract required). If you choose the provider TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile), purchase the internet option "TIM INTERNET PER SMARTPHONE" costs about euro 3 a week for up to 300 MB of data (also monthly for 1Gb). http://www.tim.it/internet/offerte-internet-per-smartphone?tab=2 If you choose the provider Vodafone, you could purchase the data option "Vodafone Unlimited". It costs about 12 euro a month. http://eshop.vodafone.it/vodafone-unlimited There are also other providers, such as Wind or 3, and I think they are cheaper, but I don't use them, because they don't have great coverage on some mountain areas where I go. But unless you don't go to remote areas, you'll have no problems with those.
Posted by
Tuscaloosa, AL
1152 posts
Your apps should be on your phone, regardless of number. At least, that is true for Android apps. Not sure about an iPhone. The Android apps are keyed to your gmail address, which will work with your Italian number.
Posted by
California
494 posts
When I bought a simcard from the TIM store in Venice last November for an unlocked smartphone, I paid 20 euro and received 15 euro credit towards phone calls plus a whole month of free internet access. I don't know if that offer still exist. I suggest that you do a little research if you have time. Good luck.
Posted by
NY, USA
500 posts
It is really cheap, about 20 Euro. I got one for my Android phone in Venice from TIM earlier this year. You do get an italian # and data, you can send texts, access the internet and make calls. Just bring your passport to the shop you intend to buy the SIM card from.