Tim Card from eBay? or purchase in Italy
 

After reading some posts it seems that registering Sim Cards in Italy can be an issue and take a couple days to activate. On eBay there is someone selling Tim Cards and it says that it doesn't need registering. Anybody try one of these?

http://stores.ebay.com/ITALYSIMCARD

My other thought is to go to a Vodafone store in the airport FCO and purchase a card and beg for help ( I don't speak italian ).

I am hoping to purchase a cheap unlocked phone 900/1800 or are there better deals at a Vodafone store that include phones and cards like they have here in the US?

thanks for your help! 8

Frankly, the prices are way out of line....an Italian TIM sim card to the best of my knowledge costs €10 with €5 worth of credit; it would seem you are much much much better off waiting till you get to Italy.

thanks for the response, I assume that I will be able to find a variety of vendors at the Rome Fiumicino Airport, do you have any preferences, Tim, Vodafone or others. I only need to talk ( no data ) between 2 phones within Rome. I would like the ability to call to the US in the case of an emergency.

regards,

8

I'm really not that familiar with Italian prepaid sims...Effendi and some others here are from Italy and might be better able to comment.

To me, the most important thing would be the ability to set the voice prompts and voicemail prompts to English....I think you can do it with TIM and I also think you can do it with vodafone.

Calling rates and converage usually are pretty close...you can check out the rates on the national operators section of the web site...

My other problem is always retention...at least the Italian sims do not steal your credit like the French ones do after as little as 15 days and then the number after 6 months...you have at least a year to recharge and keep the account active. The advantage of vodafone might be the ability to use vouchers from other vodafone telcoms throughout Europe which I'm not sure you can get with either TIM or WIND.

My suggestion is always to buy prepaid sim-cards once you are in Italy. I think at FCO there should be both TIM and Vodafone shops, while probably no Wind shop. Registration is really not a problem. If you create your own "Codice Fiscale" (all instructions are on the Italian page on this website, on National Operator section) it could be even easier.

Buying them on eBay is expensive and you could have registration problems and also prompts in Italian. Go at an official shop in Italy and you won't have any problem.

Effendi and Matha531, thanks!

I now have my own Codice Fiscale, I had seen the info at the bottom of the page but never paid attention to it.

Do you have any preference between Vodafone/Tim/Wind? I read on the forums that the voice commands to top off with Vodafone are not available in English, so would TIM be better choice?

best regards 8

PS... this is a great forum.

I've no experience with TIM and little with Vodafone. Surely with Wind you can get English prompts, also on an already actived sim-card. I guess the top-up commands are in English too since you have to dial the same number as for the language choice (4242).
If you're staying in Rome any of the 3 GSM operators is ok, you won't have coverage problems. Wind is usually the cheapest solution.

It seems that the TIM english website isn't currently working:

Here's the main site.
http://www.tim.it/consumer/homepage.do

Telestial sells cards for $39 US with 5 euros on the card.

Any idea for comparison how much that card would cost in Italy?

I may need to get a card in the states, because I will need to meet up with someone later in Italy and I would be good to know that number in advance.

thanks again,

8

This is TIM website in English:
http://www.privati.tim.it/eng
but it's really not so useful and anyway you can find all the information about tariffs and kit prices on this website, in English.

All 3 Italian prepaid simcards cost 10 euros including 5 euros of credit. 29$ are 28€, so you'll spend 18€ more (plus shipping, I guess) to have the number in advance, nothing more.

No you don't -- you have just invented a string of numbers and letters that resembles a plausible codice fiscale. If you want a real one, you'll have to go to the nearest tax office in Italy. (It usually only takes a few minutes and you get an official-looking piece of paper.)

If you think being able to make up your own tax number says something about the efficiency of the Italian tax system, you'd probably be right...

If I walk into a Vodafone or TIM store at the Rome airport and want to purchase a prepaid card will they sell it to me without a codice fiscale?

If I purchase a card from a vendor such as Telestial, is that card already registered and ready to use, and is this easier?

8

1) Yes, as long as you have your pseudo-codice fiscale with you. I hope my last post didn't mislead you -- it doesn't matter if it's a "real" CF or not -- no one cares.

2) Who knows. No, it isn't easier. Just buy your SIM when you arrive. Use the money you save to call your friends and family to let them know your number (40-60 cents/min on most prepaid SIMs, or call from a calling card for less).

I have experience with TIM: you can set all voicemail prompts and menus to English. However, in 3-4 attempts over a couple of trips, I have NOT been able to speak with an English speaking operator (dial 119). I had to make do with my very basic Italian. In large cities, you will probably find an English speaking person in a TIM shop if you need assistance.

Frank

Codice Fiscale
 

It is possible to generate a codice fiscale because it is based on code extrapolated from name and date of birth.

For things like an individual buying a pre-paid SIM, it really doesn't matter because it does not have a fiscal impact. The vendor will generate it for you and is committing no crime. It allows the vendor to fill in a required blank on the on-line application. The thing that the vendor will also do is make a copy of your passport and this with your name will be sent to the authorities. If a crime is committed and your number is involved you will be identified, just as the CIA agents that were indicted by the Italian authorities and are now under arrest warrants in the EU.

If you try to open a bank account or do something important fiscally only the plastic Codice Fiscale card with your name and other personal details will be accepted along with your identity card or passport. This plastic card confirms that you are registered with the tax authorities and allows the government to check on large money transfers or purchases that may be criminal.

As far as Italian cellular phone companies are concerned, travelling all over the world, I can assure you that they are one of the most advanced services in Europe and top-tier in the world.

Disorganization in Italy is greatly exagerated, especially by Germans.

Have you ever tried to get a small pizza at an Autogrill bar?

Come on, I understand some patriotic feeling, but honestly speaking disorganization in Italy is embarrassing, as well as the knowledge of any foreign language. The only good thing in Italy is that usually people are helpful and quite open-minded when we talk about understanding other's problems. Germany has its problems, but it's still another world, maximum respect.

Services of Italian mobile companies are surely at the top level, along with other countries, but most of the times dealers are not prepared to help foreign customers. It's getting better now, till a couple of years ago it was a total mess. And we also have some nonsense laws which don't help.

Heh-heh. I'd also point out that the level of organization and efficiency in Germany tends to be grossly overestimated.

The only issue when you buy in Italy: what happens if you need some help or configure some option? What if you need to configure UMTS and need their assistance?

You learn Italian! :D