Sim card in Italy w/web & IM?

[KPO'M]

Originally Posted by luvinitaly

Ciao AndreA! (I'll be in Florence on 9/2) I looked on the forum but didn't find a "symbian" for sale, unless it's also called something else? You got one I can buy? approxiametly what am I looking to spend for this phone? Since this is going to be a European phone I assume the rates will be ridiculous for incoming and outgoing calls to the US?

Grazie,

Jan

"Symbian" is an operating system used primarily by Nokia N-series and E-series phones, as well as Sony Ericsson P-series phones and some other handset makers like Samsung. They tend to be high-end handsets.

If you just need basic internet, then just about any quad-band GSM phone you find over there will do. Consider downloading Opera Mini from www.operamini.com (directly from your phone's browser) for an upgrade to your browsing experience if your phone has a lousy browser. However, since Italy is well-covered by 3G networks, if you get a phone there, get one with 3G coverage, preferably with HSDPA. It can be much faster than EDGE.

You can buy a SIM in Italy from a TIM, WIND or Vodafone One store, but you'll need your passport so they can register the card. Be advised that voice may work for about a day before SMS and data activate (separately). That's what happened to me. Make a call (anywhere) as soon as you insert the SIM into your phone. That will activate the card and start the process of "registering" the SIM for SMS and data. Until then, expect network error messages if you try to access data.

As for calls to/from the US, it will be comparable to the cost of using your existing US plan overseas (i.e. about $1 minute). However, some phone companies have promotions with their prepaid plans offering discounted minutes. TIM had one, but I think it expired.