TIM network in Italy - a couple of questions
 

I bought a TIM SIM of ebay with 5E on it. It came with instructions that of course are in ......Italian!

First basic question: Are incoming text messages free just like incoming calls?

Second: For recharging, there is some indication that there is a 5E fee to recharge the phone. So If you buy a 10E card you only get 5E of talk time. Is that right?

Thanks.

1) of course they are free
2) no, it's not right. There was a fee for recharging in the past, but it has been abolished last year. If you buy a 10€ refill you get 10€ of credit.

yes, all over the world (text messages) :)

No, it's not true.
Roaming on Kish Island (Iran) you pay € 0,262 for each SMS received. It's the only exception AFAIK and TIM is the only Italian operator to do so.

Not free in the US. You have to buy a bundle or .10 a msg.

Thanks for the quick and informative response.

he meant with the italian TIM SIM-card. With this one its free all over the world (except Iran) ;-)

Chris