tMobil Magenta 55+ in Italy, what does it provide? Anyone have experience using it?

I have TMobile (they have changed the plan descriptions and I don't know what I have--I recall phone calls being cheaper, but I only used it for booking restaurants). I have used the unlimited text and data overseas several times. The international use is seamless.

I don't remember if I used it in Italy, but your impression is generally correct all over Europe. Note that the data may be 2G or 3G, not as fast as at home. But it is unlimited. Note that keeping your US number also implies learning (easy on the internet) what national and regional phone codes to enter, and when to omit some area codes when calling from within the country. I had no trouble using Waze in Europe, for example. When you're in a No Service area, there's nothing you can do about it, of course.

I don't want to distract you from the actual subject, but remember WiFi Calling phone service when you are in a place with free internet and no or little cell service. We use T-Mobile WiFi Calling at home because our cell service is so poor. No extra charge.

When we went on a 5 week trip (Asia, mostly) it was interesting that after we got back and resumed using T Mobile in the US, we got an auto-message suggesting that they suspected me of moving outside the country and keeping a plan I was not entitled to! Their phone support is so bad that I just let it slide, and never heard about it again.

It does not apply to your trip, I think, but some cruise ships can accidentally (but, "accurately") charge you for using their paid cell phone support for on-ship phones. You may have to turn off cell service, especially when the ship is out of range of shore cell towers.

I have a T-Mobile 55+ plan. I’ve had it for many years, so I don’t remember the name of it. Unlimited text and data is nice to have and works well in Europe. I just heard that for something like $10/mo. extra you can get a faster data speed while traveling. I’m going to check into it in the next few days because we depart in less than 3 weeks.

I am a T-Mobile customer but with a different plan name. T-Mobile Magenta 55+ is only a plan name in the US. Once in Italy your phone will connect to whatever cell/data network is in the area. Like here in the US, data speeds will vary depending on the number of users on the cell network at any given time. During my last trip my data speed would vary throughout the day & my physical location. But it did not hinder my ability to use my phone Apps to get me around Italy.

Thank you to everyone for the replies, and keep them coming as I'd like to learn more.
The representative I talked to today mentioned a 30-day international plan that I could buy for another $50. But I'd already upgraded to the Magenta 55+ plan (from Essentials 55+) because, as it was explained to me, the Magenta plan would give me unlimited text and data in Europe, and 25 cent phone calls (anywhere, I believe) So what more could the $50 get me?? BTW, the upgrade from Essentials to Magenta was only $6 per month (oddly, the tax is not included in the Essentials plan but it IS included in the Magenta plan, WTF??? 'way too much creativity here) I actually hope to not use the phone or data very much, I'm an old school-type traveler, but I do want it just in case and it doesn't hurt to modernize Thanks again for all your help!

I've had Magenta for a few years, and used it in Italy twice, in 2018 and 2019. It worked well for my needs, basically Google Maps Navigation, WhatsApp, email, and also calls or messages from the US (Italians totally rely on WhatsApp for messaging). It doesn't work too well for streaming and internet may be slow because you will be on 3G for the most part. To stream movies, tv, or other things that require more speed, I always buy a local SIM card (with Vodafone) for my Mini Ipad. It costs only 9.99 euro for a month (plus 10 euro for the cost of the SIM card). It's 20 euro that I'm glad to fork out, because I don't have issues navigating internet with that and I don't have to rely on the hotel's wifi, which is often spotty depending on the hotel. I even used it for Google Maps navigation. To use your iPad for car navigation, you just need a suitable ipad car mount which you can find online or at Walmart for under $20
https://www.walmart.com/ip/TSV-Universal-Car-CD-Slot-Mount-Player-Tablet-Mount-Holder-8-10-inch-Phone-Fit-iPad-2-3-4-5-Generation-Gen-Samsung-S21-Galaxy-LG-HTC-360-Degree-Rotat/586012063?athbdg=L1400

Roberto, that gizmo is proper old fashioned, isn't it? Do rental cars still have CD slots?

What you have been told about using T-Mobile outside the U.S. is correct, including the free, but possibly slower, data speeds. Shortly after you arrive, you may get a text message from T-Mobile telling you how to purchase a faster data connection for a relatively small fee.

I have it and it is good for whatsapp but very slow for downloading pictures etc. I also can send text messages back to the States which is convenient. I don't use it for phone calls except via Whatsapp.

We used it in Sicily in October, and had no problems at all. Calls were $.25 a minute, and we did use it since we had a family emergency and had to return home early. Those calls were made from a small town in the interior of the island, and there were no problems at all with that, GPS or anything else. We didn't need to buy a chip, we used our US phones without a problem. It's a great deal.

We have the T-Mobile Magenta plan (55+) and have used it in Italy many times. We usually stay in Italy between two and three months and have never had a problem in any of our travels. We do not do any streaming, but we do download and send photos. We have roaming turned on. Most of our calls are via the Wi-Fi or WhatsApp (our family and friends have downloaded WhatsApp) and have had no issue with data usage or texting. No need to buy the international plan for $50. That is just an up-sell. For the few calls made without Wi-Fi, etc. our bill only increased by two or three dollars a month.

Thanks again, everyone! Very helpful replies!

Another question, one of the tMobil reps told me that when I arrive in Italy turn my phone off for one minute, turn it back on, and turn on the "data roaming". He said if I don't do this it may not work.

I had thought data roaming would result in extra charges, but that was probably with old phones that had limited networks and data roaming allowed them to use other networks for extra cost.

Does turn off phone, turn on phone, turn on data roaming seem right?

Thanks!

Just got Magenta 55+ myself in anticipation of a trip to Italy and had similar questions. Thanks for the question and the replies.

Roberto, that gizmo is proper old fashioned, isn't it? Do rental cars
still have CD slots?

I just picked the first that came up on the Walmart website. I had one (now broken) that fitted in the a/c vent, but it wasn't that good because it didn't work well in some vents, so I had to enslave my wife and ask her to hold the ipad for me. It caused her to develop pain on her arms and back, after many hours of holding it while I drove, so I'll probably have to find something else because my wife refuses to do that again. I'm sure there are better options that you can attach to the window or dashboard.

Another question, one of the tMobil reps told me that when I arrive in Italy turn my phone off for one minute, turn it back on, and turn on the "data roaming". He said if I don't do this it may not work.

I don't remember having to do that, although I generally have the phone off on the plane and turn it on once I'm done with the immigration (passport control) procedures since you are not supposed to have the cell on at passport control.

Data roaming is included in the magenta package so you don't incur additional charges. I think Magenta Max (which I upgrade to before traveling abroad) is unlimited, while Magenta has a limit of 100 GB.

As I said if you don't need to stream, and you use for WhatsApp, email, occasionally browsing, Map navigation, the plan is sufficient. If you like to have better speed then buy a local SIM for your tablet (Ipad or similar). You won't have issues with internet with a local SIM, the only exception is if you have low signal reception (like in some rural areas, or inside a building). European building are all masonry and often with huge thick walls, sometimes you need to be near the window or on the balcony to get any signal (with any SIM).

Here’s my text from T-Mobile upon arriving in the UK, so Italy should be the same,

Welcome to United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland! Your T-Mobile plan gives you unlimited data at up to 2G speeds and texts at no extra cost! Calls at 25 cents/min. Visit t-mo.co/intl-roam1 to learn more and view additional calling/data options. Enjoy your stay!

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I had thought data roaming would result in extra charges, but that was probably with old phones that had limited networks and data roaming allowed them to use other networks for extra cost.
Does turn off phone, turn on phone, turn on data roaming seem right?

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The data roaming fees were for old plans, you have a newer plan so you'll be fine.
I either keep my phone in Airplane Mode or turn it off to conserve the battery depending on the length of the flight.
You can also turn on the Data Roaming before your flight or upon your arrival.
Like a previous post stated, you'll get a text message on your phone about being on a different network

I have used T Mobile Magenta several times in various countries in Europe. It has generally worked fine. My Magenta Max gets 256gbs. I just leave it on my normal setting with roaming on have always gotten a text upon arrival welcoming me to whichever country I am in and have had a seamless transition and no issues.
However, this last October we rented a car in Naples, toured Puglia and returned to Naples.
The only issue I did have was using navigation with Google maps. I could get the directions but no voice navigation, except a few snippets on occasion near the center of a few towns. Fortunately, I had my back up Garmin which got us from A to B. But I much prefer Google.
Has anyone had that issue? My phone is a Samsung G21 so there are no issues with an outdated phone.

I am going to have a rental car in northern Spain in May, so I am thinking about getting one of T Mobile 's high speed data passes to avoid any problems.
These add on passes seem pretty reasonable. and include unlimited calling.

From their website:

International Pass: 512MB of high-speed data at up to LTE speeds and
unlimited calling, to be used up to 24 hours, for $5/day. 5GB
International Pass: 5GB of high-speed data at up to LTE speeds and
unlimited calling, to be used up to 10 days, for $35. 15GB
International Pass: 15GB of high-speed data at up to LTE speeds and
unlimited calling, to be used up to 30 days, for $50.