Italy -- Buy Handset and Prepaid Plan there?

[beppe_bl]

Originally Posted by gsmith

I'm heading to Italy next week for a month. I would like to have a mobile phone to call ahead to hotels or book reservations. I do NOT currently have an unlocked phone. I'm hoping I can buy a very inexpensive handset (or maybe get a free handset) with a pre-paid plan when I get there.

Can anyone give me an idea of what the least expensive handset + pre-paid plan would cost?

Do I really need to obtain a "codice fiscale" or can I just show my passport?

I assume an Italian phone will come with menus/prompts in Italian; I do not speak Italian. Will that be a big problem? I would think the only thing I'll need to do is "recharge".

I've been told that TIM is the provider with the best coverage. Do they have many retail locations around Rome?

Thanks

An unlocked basic (call, sms, maybe wap browser) handset usually you could find it for 30 - 40 euro (or less, in case of offer by shop).
In Rome easily you'll have many options about official/unffocial dealers, and, excluding few little town in the province, you should not have coverage problems, then you'll could consider wind or 3 (usually cheaper than tim and vodafone).
Yes, you need a fiscal code, but just see PrePaidGSM: Italy as wrote above by FBlack_111.


ps: i'm sorry for my bad english, i'm a little bit out of training