Portugal And Sims

[snaimon]

Originally Posted by ccsheen

Thank you Stan.

I only have one phone. Actually, I had two, but gave one to friends to use in France for a month.

Also, I have read all of the posts on Italy. And I have read quite a bit on phones in general but still have a long way to go. I have offered other friends our remaining phone to use in Italy. I know they are confused about cell phone usage in Europe, let alone Italy.

I have been thinking of telling them about the WIND plan after reading about it here. Do you think this would be the best advice to give someone who really does not understand very much about cell phones but have the need to keep in touch with elderly parents while away for only a week?

They are more concerned about ease of use rather than cost although I am sure they would appreciate a break on the per minute tariff. But I thought this is a way for them to have a number before they travel.

IF you want to give out your CBW PIN2DEST info to your relatives, that would work. Of course YOU will be paying the bill. Then as DRN says, have them call your UM SIM as use that for the most part except when you call locally.

As for your friends going to Italy, --- this is a new question and you might want to repost with a different title, no?

Ease of use..... different for everyone, of course.

My recommendation is to keep it simple if they are not technically minded or too old or stubborn to want to learn. WHY do they need a cell? Won't a calling card suffice?

I am not sure what the best SIM is. I defer to our Italian friends. I believe the Italians are offering to procure and set up WIND cards for members here. Be careful about buying a card beforehand off Ebay or elsewhere -- some are not activated and it is really the seller that must do that. Need a Code Fiscale (sp?). I am not sure of the rates ITALY to US, but I don't think that is too economical with a cell. Again, in combination with a local or the right US calling card. That gets complicated, however. If they are staying in hotels, they should be able to use US or Italian calling cards. If they have voice mail at home or on a US cell, they should be able to check that from an Italian land line like at a hotel with a calling card. That is what I plan to do. Watch out, however, if they have VERIZON voicemail. To enter the mailbox process, I must press *. For the ATT calling card, that starts a new call. So I will be using the MCI card to listen to my home voicemails.

Best wishes,

Stan