No need for credit card. Maybe some guy in Italy has a similar number, went to a Tabacchi to refill his number but told the clerk a wrong one, yours, and refilled you :)

Hi everyone,

Does it still take a couple of days to activate a Wind SIM in Italy? My wife bought one in Venice yesterday (>24hrs) and she says she can't use it to call Canada. There's some Italian announcement when she does that but she speaks no Italian whatsoever. She went to the store today again but they said there's nothing they can do.

Is this normal? Does she need to do anything (except waiting)? I gave her all the plan printouts (Super Senza Scatto + Call Your Country option) and codice fiscale to show it to the clerk so I assume this has been taken care of.

Thanks!

Took less than an hour the last time I activated a wind SIM. Is there enough money in the acct?

Thanks BLC!

Well, I assume the starting package would include some prepaid time (EUR5 or so) and since Canada's Call Your Country rate is only .20 it should be fine for decent conversation.

Usually it's very fast, but if you are unlucky it could take also a couple of days, but it's really rare. Just bad luck :(

Thank you Effendi!

Well, it took about 2 days but eventually it did get activated thanks for reassurance everyone!

so, i saw a big shop with WIND all over it and went in and bought a WIND sim card

i went armed with a codice fiscale (from the website linked to on here), my passport and i asked for the 'mega unlimited' package to be activated. now, the lady in the shop spoke no english, so all i know is i now have a sim card, and i paid them 30 euros.

i've popped it in my windows mobile, which is 3g and unlocked, and at the moment it still says "no service" so i assume the sim is not yet active. do i need to do anything to activate it? from what she was saying i did pick up the terms 'day' 'free' and 'special offer' - so i believe that i bought the card with enough credit for the 'mega unlimited' plan to be applied when the card is activated?

thanks!

right - i'm active and i've managed to log in to my wind online account and can see that i have the option activated.

one question - i get disconnected after a minute or so - and then i cannot reconnect for a long time (even though i have full signal) - this is the same whether i access via my dongle, or via my windows mobile.

i am using apn internet.wind with telephone number *99# and no username/password. does anyone else experience this? is it because although 'active' i am not yet fully active?

just done the same thing, bought a wind sim card and went with the mega unlimited, which means 10GB over 30 days.

I am in the centre of Rome, had to go to two wind shops to process the deal, the first didn't want my business, as I we couldn't communicate, next wind shop 500m down the road was very helpful.

Didn't have a CF, they just took details of passport, but my card and mega unlimited cost 35 euros as they said they didn't have any 20 euro packs, only 25 euro packs. Also there is some deal on the moment where you get 50% free credit.

However it takes 24 hrs for the card to be activated and you get about 4 sms in the process. dial *123# shows credit of 17.50 euros now. Initially I could only connect for 30 secs , but all this is better now that the sim is fully activated.

Works well via HTC touch pro win 6.5 mobile as a modem, have a Australian "3" E160 USB dongle (unlocked). But can't get online with it even with APN internet.wind

Have downloaded the generic "Mobile Partner" dashboard connection software for the USB Dongle so I don't use the Australian 3 connection software but still get an error saying can't connect without registering a network. I would like to get this dongle working with the wind sim. The E160 dongle has obviously been a previous dongle of Winds as it shows up if "E160" search is done on Wind

Not sure if I get rid of the Australian 3 firmware from the unlocked E160 dongle and find a generic replacement then the card will register on the network. I might first try the software "easy wind connect" a link a found on this forum- it list the E160 as suitable. I would be grateful for any tips on how to get my Australian "3" E160 dongle to work. I should be out making the most of the sites of Rome rather then downloading software and flashing a USB dongle.

Update - How to use an Australian "3" E160 usb modem with a Wind Sim card
Had to flash to non 3 firmware -from here

Downloaded dashboard (Mobile Partner) /dashboard update /firmware update.

Flash code is required for the firmware update. Found a forum that will provide this flash code if you provide model and IMEI (only for Huawei) very efficiently.

Installed Wind easy Connect (English language option)then the Dashboard (Mobile Partner) software onto PC which provides the drivers for the E160.

APN internet.wind setup and able to connect via Wind easy Connect interface at last.

Cheapest Italian sim for brief visit
 

I'll be in Italy for just 9 days next month. I'd like the cheapest sim just to use calling my traveling partner (and he to call me) in case we are separated. Or maybe to call an Italian hotel or restaurant or friend. Not likely we will call out of Italy. I've noticed on this site a number of sims for 5 euros with 5 euros credit, with all the minutes prices slightly different.

Any recommendations, taking into account the quality of the network as well as the price? As well as a card that is relatively easy to pick up in Trieste at/near the train station.

Any card is ok. If you go with Wind you can find an official shop in VIA SAN SPIRIDIONE, 6/B, in the very centre of Trieste, about 15 mins on foot from the train station, SEE HERE.

I've been searching and reading on Italy SIM cards and data plans for the last few days and I must say this forum is fantastic! Thank you to all people involved.

My wife and I will be spending a little more than a week in Tuscany in mid-September, landing in Rome and then driving up to the heart of Tuscany, between Siena and Firenze. It's our first time there and we can't wait.

I will need a data connection while I'm there (mainly for work-related issues) and I will have an unlocked iPhone 4 with me (should be readily available by then in Canada), with a MicroSIM. I also need to be able to make a limited number of local calls while I'm there (reservations and such).

Here are the steps I'm thinking I need to do to get my iPhone working in Italy (and related questions). Please correct me if I'm wrong somewhere.

1. I already have a "codice fiscale" and I will have my passport with me.

2. I'll go to a TIM shop (best coverage in Tuscany, from what I got from the coverage info and maps) and purchase a Prepagata at 10 euros, which will also give me a credit of 5 euros for calls (that should be enough for the few calls I'll make there).

Question:
Are the MicroSIMs readily available in all TIM shops? I guess they are but I want to make sure (I don't want to have to cut a regular SIM card to make it fit in the iPhone 4).

3. Once the SIM card is activated, I'll text MAXIPHONE ON to 40916 to activate the "Maxxi per iPhone" data plan (50 Mb/day for 15 euros/month, with free iPhone Daily in case I go over 50 Mb any given day, for a total of 80 Mb).

4. Just before I leave, I'll text MAXIPHONE OFF to 40916 to deactivate the data plan

Am I OK? Should I use other cheaper data plans?

And what about TIM shops around the Roma airport in Fiumicino? We'll land on a Sunday. Looks like there's one at Parco Leonardo on via Portuense open 7 days/week from 9 to 22. But will I be able to find the shop easily in this large commercial center?

Or should I wait until Monday at Montevarchi (along the A1 Autostrada, where we'll get off the highway to go to our villa)? Do I have a bigger chance of finding someone who speaks a little English (or French) near Roma or in Montevarchi? If you have better ideas for a TIM shop, let's hear it!

Are there any TIM shops at the airport that will be accessible to me on Sunday?

Thank you in advance.

@ cgingras
At Fiumicino airport there's only Vodafone and 3 official shops. There's a multibrand store too, called Smartphone, at Terminal 3 (arrivals area) where they could have a TIM or Wind card too.

BTW in a big commercial center in Rome you'll probably have more chance to find a mini-sim, if there's an official TIM shop. Mini sims just appeared recently for the iPad, they are not common at all, but all 4 operators should have them, at least at official shops. I keep on thinking it's an absurd move by Apple which is causing only troubles...

All the rest is ok, except the fact you will have to refill your card since 5€ are not enough for the iPhone data plan (10€/month). So buy the card, buy a refill (at least 10€) and then activate the option via SMS.

BTW I notice the iPhone option doesn't exist anymore.
You can use the TIMxSMARTPHONE option, at 2€/week for 200MB/week.
Send an SMS to 40916 writing TIMSMART ON.
Remember to use ibox.tim.it as APN on the iPhone (wap.tim.it for other phones, blackberry.net if you have a blackberry).

I saw it on the TIM website last night. Where do we take this information that it's not available anymore?

Thanks again.

I saw it here:
Maxxi Internet per iPhone - TIM

Re your suggestion about using Wind: How about the other-branded and virtual operators that use the networks of the main operators. I used an MVNO in Germany last year and it was fine. Aren't they just as good and cheaper than the main companies (Wind, etc) in Italy? Dieci Tondo, Telepass, Lyca, Tiscali, Veloce COOP, ERG. They all seem to have 5euros sim cost/credit with a variety of minutes charges that seem equivalent depending if you have a set-up fee or cheaper network calls. Are any of those I mentioned better or worse?

Been a while since I was on here last. Looks like Wind is still the best option for going around Italy for voice and data, correct me if I am wrong? Is the Wiki up to date with activation information? I will print it out and take it with me in August.

The page is still online, but it's in the "not activable options" section, as you can see here:
Tutte le offerte - Tariffe e Opzioni - TIM
Look for:
Non trovi l'offerta che stai cercando? Cercala fra quelle non più attivabili. and follow the menu.

Virtual Operators in Italy don't have very interesting offers. Some of them are internet based, some you can find at discount stores, but overall there's not a real bargain in using them. Quality of service is the same as with the Network Operators.
I think Wind and 3 are still the cheapest solutions. I always suggest Wind since it has quite a good coverage, cheap rates and usually a good service.

The page is updated, but consider that in Summer there are many offers too, so you can get discounts.

So if I find 'negazio wind' that will point me to the nearest Wind store? Or can I buy anywhere? And will the store generally speak English and be able to tell me how to activate the Wind data offer or should I bring someone who can speak Italian?

Vegemite I think I already wrote it about 1000 times how to activate the data options, why don't you simply read it?
No, most probably no one in the shop will speak English, but they'll probably do their best to sell you the simcard, so don't worry too much... and yes, negozio means shop, that's where you have to go.

Calls to Armenia
 

Dears,
A need your help and advise. From 23 of July I am going to visit the Italy and travel several cities (Rome, Naples, San Marin, Venice, Piza, Venice). I need prepaid cards for calls only to Armenia with chipest rates for outgoing calls and free for incoming.
What operator and package would you advice me.
Thanks

Barev! :)
The cheapest solution to call Armenia is using a Lycamobile prepaid card.
PrePaidGSM: Lycamobile (Italy)
Calling Armenia costs € 0.18/min to landline and € 0.29/min to mobiles, plus a € 0.15 setup fee.

You can find them at Tabacchi shop with this logo:
http://www.sisal.it/servizi/images/v...camobile_p.gif

Hello,

Excellent forum!

I understand that it is much better to buy the SIM in Italy. However, I am trying to prepare an unlocked phone for my parents. I do not want them to have to deal with anything at all.

Can I:

1) Buy a Wind SIM somewhere and pick it up and have it shipped to the US?
2) Can I activate it in advance of their trip?
3) What will the actual difference in cost be? Is it per minute, or just initial cost/postage?

Thanks in advance

Hi Effendi,
hi all others,

I'm new to this forum and I've read this thread and a lot of others.

In the spring this year I bought a TIM SIM because I was for two weeks at lake Garda and wanted to use it for internet. I used the 100h internet/month rate.
Soon (Sept. 4th) I will be in Italy again for two weeks and want to use the SIM again from the very beginning.

I tried recharging it online by my German credit card and my German Paypal account even I have read, that it will not work. Because a lot of information about that way is old in the web. None of both kinds worked as I have expected.

The problem is that I want to recharge the SIMand activate internet access early enough, because there is only a small amount of time leaving the airport (Catania) and enter a sailing boat. On the boat I want to use the SIM from ther very beginning.

Is there a way to recharge the SIM with 20 Euro an activate an internet access service from Germany?

Thank you for any help
from Germany
Rolf

Filling a TIM card
 

I have the same problem with my wife's Tim card. I have a Wind card and can fill it online from Canada with a Canadian credit card. I am buying my wife a Wind card to replace her Tim!

Telestial or Cellular Abroad will sell you a sim card and mail it to you. More expensive than doing it in Italy.

Hello BLC,

my problem is that I will use the SIM immediately after the arrival. Thus it is necessary to activate Internet access from abroad.

The other is that coverage from TIM is clearly better in my driving/sailing area, than those of WIND.

Thanks.

Unfortunately I haven't found a simple solution to the problem of maintaining a TIM sim. I suppose as we have an Italian bank account we could try and set up a periodic payment scheme but it dosen't seem worth the effort when WIND is so easy to work with. A simple text message when we go to Italy gets me a data plan and the same to cancel it when we leave and every 10 months or so I addsome money via my Canadian Visa card.

When you land in Catania you go to the Tabacchi store (there's surely more than one inside the airport) and refill it in a couple of minutes. If you didn't de-activate the option before you left Italy your option will be still active (but you will pay also for the months you didn't use it...)

Tim
 

Hi Effendi,

thank you for that hint and .... is that really true, that the 100 ORE rate will be charged for these 3 months even if it was not used?
I understood that the option ist stopped if the amount of money is do low for the next month.

regards bauruine

I canceled my 100 Ore plan by SMS but it was still showing up on wind.it when I logged in just before leaving Italy.

When you run out of credit they should stop billing you (it's prepaid, if you go to zero you shouldn't go further below...). But that doesn't always happen.
I never used TIM so I don't know how they behave. But my suggestion is always to DEACTIVATE the option when you leave. Otherwise prepare to get bad surprises...

@ wco81: what does the 155.it say now? The option should be inactive, I suppose. Wind works quite well with these things.

@effendi:
by the way: my brother is surfing with the TIM prepaid-card in "Südtirol" at the moment and he says the speed and coverage is excellent! :-) He made network search with the UMTS stick (the 10 euro offer from Vodafone germany, was mentioned in another thread here already), and TIM is the only UMTS signal available most of the time.
He bought it in an electronics store as the fuel station at passo di brennero was closed for some reason when he passed by...

Chris

TIM surely has the most widespread UMTS/HSPA network in Italy, no doubts about it. And in more rural areas it's probably fast too (it's not in towns). They have problems with voice quality (probably the worst in Italy), missed calls, bad call centre, but for being a former monopolist they have rather cheap plans, expecially compared to Vodafone.

Yeah, we can not complain, he gets constantly >2.5 Mbit indoors, dont know if he tested outdoors already.... And 9 Euro for 40 Hours is not bad either.

Chris

TIM 100Ore
 

Hello Effendi,

my problem is done. I found someone who recharged my TIM account. He went to a TIM store, payed the amount of 24.- Euro (19+5) and activated the 100 Ore option for me. There was no charge for the last 4 months.

In this case it did not happen ;-)
I will do so by sending INTERNET100 OFF as a SMS to 40916 .

regards
bauruine