Visiting Italy in June
 

We are coming for a holiday in Italy - Venice, Tuscany, Rome.

We are in Italy total of 12 days.

we have Android (HTC Desire) phones and want to get local SIMs to use our phones in Italy (and Netherlands afterwards).

we are unlikely to need much voice calling time - we mainly want data for browsing, maps, etc.. and also VOIP for our existing VOIP lines in Australia and USA - for people to be calling us and us calling family and friends at home. I can also see us using the US VOIP line to call numbers in Italy while there if that's going to be close to paying the WIND local rates. If we get a WIND SIM but do not activate voice calling plan, do we still have an Italian mobile number in case someone in Italy wants to get in touch with us?

So in terms of data - if we want to use VOIP does that mean we should get for the Mega Unlimited? the Internet No Stop could work too but it seems that doesn't allow VOIP?

We're going to have Tablets with us which we would like to be able to tether to the phone. I guess the 100 hrs Plan could work - we're unlikely to be on data more than 10 hrs a day!!

Additionally, after italy we're going to Amsterdam for 3-4 days. I assume this isn't long enough to justify getting a Dutch SIM. If we continue using our WIND SIMs in Holland, do we just pay 0.90/MB as roaming rates? Any roaming plans they have we can use within EU?

Any other suggestions also appreciated.

Thanks

In The Netherlands you can get yourself Vodafone sim card for €7,50 including €5 credit (€10 if you optionally register it) and buy yourself a 250MB pack for €4,75.

Depending on how much data you will need you can calculate whether or not it is justifying a Dutch sim card.

What is involved in "registering" it?

Does this 250mb data pack allow use of VOIP?

Registering it = filling in your name and your (real or fake) address on the Vodafone website.

I think it officially doesn't allow the use of VOIP, although in practice you'll get away with it.

Any other comments or suggestions re Italy?

Vodafone, if you port your number from another carrier gives you 6 months of free internet (and credit redoubling) in italy. You could buy those sims from ebay. Whatever I don't know if vodafone allows voip calls.

Instead three for sure allows voip calls. Best promotion is three smartpack gold. Read here http://www.prepaidgsm.net/forum/ital...-newb-out.html

I don't think my phone is UMTS compatible.

Does the Vodafone "mobile internet" data option allow VOIP? PrePaidGSM: Vodafone (Italy) says "(wap/smartphone navigation only)" - how restrictive is that on a smartphone? browsing I assume is fine. Apps? Mail? VoIP? Maps?

TIM seems to be out of the question for me since their data options dont allow VoIP.

How good is Vodafone's coverage and data speed?

All surely works but voip. I'm not sure if it works.
Vodafone coverage is excellent. Only TIM is better in data speed.

Whatever a smartphone is surely an Umts phone.

EDIT: Vodafone Italia clarifies VoIP policy for data plans - Telecompaper

Whatever there are multiple methods to bypass this restriction. (VPN surely bypass vodafone checks)

Yes, the Desire is UMTS as long as it is not the CDMA one for Verizon which I doubt.

See this link to wikipedia. I'm not sure which GSM version you have but I think you need UMTS 2100 for HSPA in Italy. Anything else and you are on Edge/GPRS. One of the three GSM versions of the HTC Desire supports 2100 UMTS, the others don't (Telus Mobility Canada and Telstra Australia).

Wikipedia entry for HTC Desire

I believe the Australia Desire is 850/2100 UMTS - so sounds like it will work

So seems like this is where I am:

• TIM has some good data packs but VoIP not allowed so out of the question
• Vodafone - seems like the Mobile Internet Plus data pack for 8/week is a good option and allows VoIP
• WIND - Could use the Internt No Stop (but officially no VoIP) or could go E20 for Mega Unlimited
• 3 - Super Internet seems like a good option. Apparently there is a Smartpack Gold which is probably the cheapest option (although not sure if 50Mb per day is enough)

3 has the worst coverage. TIM the best followed by Vodafone.

Seems like Vodafone is the winner for me? I am sure one fo their voice packs will also do for me - don't intend on making too many voice calls.

Did I miss anything?

Btw has anyone who is visiting followed the fast way of getting the fiscal code? And did you have any problems?

Does the Vodafone Semre Smart data pack have any other restrictions which wouldn't make it suitable for my needs? (eg voip, smartphone, etc)

Yes, VoIP is blocked (e.g. you can't start a call, because it's filtered).

but the Mobile Internet Plus is ok and allows VoIP??

I don't see why carriers block VoIP - it doesn't really use all that much data.....

Vodafone Mobile Internet Plus will allow Voip at euro 8 a week, but also TIM Internet Senza Limiti at 24 euro a month for 10Gb will allow Voip. I would recommend so the TIM as comes out to be cheaper with good speed and good coverage.

since we are in Italy for 2 weeks only, the Vodafone pack seems more economical.

Thanks for your help!

hey Kuba. It now seems I am going with vodafone in italy. I don't suppose I can keep using the same vodafone SIM in holland and just buy some dutch data packs for it?

Also can you point me to where I can read about that Voda NL offer you speak of? The page on this site doesn't show that option:- PrePaidGSM: Vodafone (Netherlands)

No, you can't. Different country.

It works fine, and usually is identical to the code you get from the authorities, as the formula is public knowledge (differences usually have to do with including middle names or not). Of course, you can get a real CF if you want - just go to the nearest tax office with your passport. It only takes a few minutes.