Buying whole prepaid phones?
 

Hey guys,

So im traveling to italy in a week and ive done extensive searching on the web but I still cant find the answer to my question

In the states I have verizon, therefore no phone I own will work on the italian GSM networks

Can you purchase a Entire prepaid phone package when in italy, Including the Phone and SIM?

I know in the U.S. you can buy a prepaid phone for about 60 dollars which includes the phone and SIM,

Is this offered in italy at the airports or any other small shops? and how much do they cost?

Will I also have to get a Codice Fiscale If i buy this package?

Thanks

Joe

Yes, you can. Some airports have them, some don't, otherwise there are company shops all over the place (though it would make sense to look up the addresses before you go to save time). Use the codice fiscale calculator to make one up, or if you want, go to any tax office and get a real one (takes 20 minutes if you're lucky).

Thanks for the quick response, How many euros do they generally run?

Im just trying to figure out if i should pick u a GSM phone from chinatown nyc before I go and just get a SIM

since the dollar SUCKS:chair:

Thanks!

I'd recommend you get an unlocked quad-band GSM phone somewhere, perhaps locally before you go. That way you can use it on other foreign trips, and you can use it with T-Mobile and AT&T in the US if you want to.

So just to clarify,

I just got my Fsical Code and printed it out, when I go to buy a SIM/Phone I just hand them the entire printed out page or cut out the little card thing?

also if someone knew how much euro the pack with phone/sim is in rome that would be great!

Thanks again for all your help!

Joe

Well,they need only the "fiscal code", no matter how you give it, usually they accepted it even if you do it by voice.

Sadly, the change euro/dollar really sucks, but if you want a basic phone, i belive you can find pack Sim+phone for about 75 $ (50 euros)

Alright good stuff, Looks like im going to be running around the next week trying to find one in the states, thanks again guys.

Consider that most phones you get at cheap prices (40-80 euros) are usually dual-band, i.e. you won't be able to use it in the US. I think that you could look for a quad-band on eBay or some cheaper market in the US.

Yea im specifically asking the stores that I ask if they are Quad Band, Im not going to buy a phone that I can only use overseas.

So far not alot of luck, the only one that I found in stock near me in brooklyn was a nec e132 which wont work in the US lol

Inexpensive and quad band:

Motorola RAZR V3
Motorola V551

The V3 is a nice little phone. Should be easily available for under $100 now.

A new Motorola v195 is available on ebay for $70, shipping included. It's quadband, and the battery lasts forever. If you prefer dealing directly with Motorola,

http://tinyurl.com/2d6qkb


They're selling a similar phone, a v197, for $100 plus shipping.

right now im looking at the Samsung SGH A437 for about 55 dollars

You can get a prepaid one from AT&T (refurb) for $30. DealKing.com used to have a deal where it also had a $20 rebate, and possibly still does. The A437 is a good quad-band phone and can be unlocked easily in about five minutes for free.

I second the Moto V195 listed for $39 at tmobile's. It's a very good basic phone. I bought 2 of them as backups about a year ago. Tmobile also unlocks them for free if you are a customer.

http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/prepaid.aspx

Yea if my guy doesnt come through with the Samsung im deff gonna look into dealking.com

I leave in less then a week so I cant wait on shipping

Thanks again for all the helpfull responses:)

So ive been looking thru the ways to buy a SIM, and I wonder are they going to hassle me alot?

Ive just read some horror stories on the internet, is it really strict?

I have my passport, and my "fiscal code" that I obtained from that website, I will be arriving at Fiumicino airport, is there a phone store in the terminal?

from what ive read its 10 euro for the SIM and then you have to buy an additional card for minutes correct? is it a really time consuming process?

Thanks again guys

A bit off topic.

[QUOTE=Bossman;20990]...Tmobile also unlocks them for free if you are a customer.

There are certain conditions to unlocking phones @ T-MO. Even if you have a postpaid account, you are limited to one unlock every 90 days, I believe.

With a prepaid account, you must have had the account for 90 days AND made a refill within 30 days.

T-MO has unlocked many a phone for me. Last phone I had unlocked was a Nokia from ATT for my son; postpaid there. Took longer than with T-MO, about 2 weeks.

Too bad you don't seem to have a friend, relative or colleague who might loan you out a suitable phone. We are still in CDMA-land here. Maybe that's why the dollar is so weak against the Euro!?

Best wishes!

Stan

Actually, the only requirement is that you have an account in good standing for at least 90 days. My account with them is prepaid. I requested and received the unlock codes for my 2 V195 phones within 2 weeks of each other. My card has not been topped up within the last 10 months of making the request. I only top it up once a year since it's just a low-use backup .

[QUOTE=snaimon;20993]A bit off topic.

Don't worry, it's something very easy, expecially if the dealer speaks some English! :D
With the 10€ simcard there will be 5€ of preloaded credit. Of course if you want more you can buy a refill card, no problem, it's something very fast and straightforward. Credit is usually valid for 11/12 months after the recharge.
Consider that usually with TIM it takes a bit more to have it activated, while Wind usually works after 1/2 hours, Vodafone maybe even faster...

The unlocked GSM phone is a specialty item in the US. Except for electronics/camera stores in a few big cities you won't find them in most stores. You generally buy them from sellers on eBay, TigerDirect or the stores that advertise here or on HowardForums.

P.S. IMHO every international traveler should own an unlocked multi-band GSM phone, even if he uses CDMA (e.g. Verizon) at home.

In addition to the above, a good, reliable source for new, unlocked GSM phones is puremobile.com (or puremobile.ca.) Great selection and great service. They usually have some quadband Moto models for under $100. The V3 is $130 IIRC.

Just to update everyone I got my hands on the Samsung SGH A437 55 dollars in NYC, I didnt really want to get involved with any carrier at all so I payed a little more.

I guess I had an advantage in the U.S. living in such a big city, Im looking foward to my trip even more now!

Thanks again guys