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cgingras · 05-07-2010, 23:44

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.

	(#134)
cgingras (Offline) Junior Member Newbie Posts: 3 Join Date: 05 Jul 2010 Country:	05-07-2010, 23:44 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.