Prepaid SIM for Italy...

[theletterj]

This is great information. Thanks so much guys. It seems that Telestial is my best option right now, ruling out Italian eBay (Unless there is another way to get a WIND SIM that I have neglected). But I would also like to know if and how it is possible to add Data Service to the TIM card. I'm hoping that I can do it on the website, but again, I'm having a little trouble with it not being in English plus I do not have a SIM to try it with. If at all possible, he'd need it to work and roam here in the States so that he can be sure that it's synced to our server here. Please let me know. Thanks.

[Effendi]

Data is preactivated and you pay for every KB you download/upload.
If you want one of the data options (which work in Italy only) there are several methods to do that. The easiest is usually to send an activation-SMS.

For TIM "Maxxi TIM Web Facile Recharge"
- send an SMS writing 'PRO FACILE' to number 4916.

For WIND "Mega NoLimit"
- send an SMS writing 'MEGA SI' to number 4533.

You don't need to activate the data options to test the service, expecially if you are in the US where they don't work. Beware that GPRS/EDGE/UMTS roaming can be really expensive (15€/MB with Wind, something more with TIM, I fear...)

[KPO'M]

Originally Posted by Effendi

Data is preactivated and you pay for every KB you download/upload.
If you want one of the data options (which work in Italy only) there are several methods to do that. The easiest is usually to send an activation-SMS.

For TIM "Maxxi TIM Web Facile Recharge"
- send an SMS writing 'PRO FACILE' to number 4916.

For WIND "Mega NoLimit"
- send an SMS writing 'MEGA SI' to number 4533.

Thanks. So, basically, I just re-fill the card so that it has enough money, and then send the SMS and I'm ready to go? I assume the EUR15 per MB you quote above is only if I leave Italy? Within Italy it's the 500MB for EUR20 on TIM's web site?

To the original poster, I'm pretty sure with a Blackberry, the SIM needs to "registered" on the Blackberry server somehow. I remember when I was overseas last year that I attempted to pop in another SIM into my Treo to see if it would work. I got phone and GPRS OK, but the Treo wouldn't update my Exchange mail. I just bit the bullet and went with the roaming charges on my US SIM when I needed to check e-mail. You might see how difficult it would be to switch the SIM from remote (IOW, take down the numbers on both the Italian and US SIM cards and see if it can be changed on your Blackberry server).

[Effendi]

Yeah, the 15€/MB is for international roaming outside Italy with Wind. With TIM it's probably more expensive. While in Italy, once you activate the forfait, you will use that "data credit" (Wind) or "KB bundle" (TIM). Just refill the card and send the SMS, then wait for the SMS which confirms tha activation. Tell the dealer to set you English prompts.

[KPO'M]

Originally Posted by Effendi

Yeah, the 15€/MB is for international roaming outside Italy with Wind. With TIM it's probably more expensive. While in Italy, once you activate the forfait, you will use that "data credit" (Wind) or "KB bundle" (TIM). Just refill the card and send the SMS, then wait for the SMS which confirms tha activation. Tell the dealer to set you English prompts.

Thanks. I already have a TIM SIM that I suspect was not set to English. When I get to Italy, I'll need to ask the dealer who I get the refill from to reset it. Do you recommend just going to a TIM dealer?

I've seen some set up instructions for UMTS on some sites (involving keystrokes). Does this involve an extra step? I have a Nokia N95, and while I have 3G turned off here (no 2100MHz UMTS here ), I would like to use it there.

[Effendi]

UMTS, GPRS and EDGE share the same settings, so no problem.

[KPO'M]

OK, thanks for your help so far. So once the data plan is turned on, how to I turn it off so that it doesn't deplete the remaining balance on my prepaid card after I leave Italy? I want to give the card to someone else who will be in Italy the following month. Do I send another SMS?

[SpaceBass]

This is a great thread...really learning a lot from lurking here!

Few questions:
If I get a SIM from ebay or Telstial, can I do a top-up before I get to Italy?
It looks like the carrier sites want you to create an account which requires receiving an SMS message - will I be able to get that in the US prior to being in Italy?

Personally, I'm quite comfortable with buying the SIM and setting everything up in the Airport or someplace once I get there (despite not speaking Italian) ... but this is for my in laws who are willing to be totally ripped off and pay what ever it takes to have it fully charged and setup prior to leaving US soil....so I volunteered to help... I can just order a sim and 100 mins of credit from Telstial but thats over $200.00 and it just feels so wrong. I'd rather find a SIM, even if its from Telstial, and top it up from here.

Thanks!
-N

[Richard10002]

I had a lot of trouble finding a SIM card, (WIND or TIM), in Italy. It seems you have to be in fairly big places to get one.

I couldnt get one in Villasimius in Sardinia.... all the recharge shops said I had to go to Cagliari. Couldnt get one at Naples Airport. Eventually got a TIM SIM by buying a phone at AUCHAN superstore in/near Pompeii. Phone with SIM was 40 euros, and the store registered it for me using my driving licence.

Easy to get recharge vouchers once you have the SIM. I bought a 30 euro voucher on Stromboli, and another on Vulcano - both tiny islands off Sicily.

Recgarging is easy by sending the voucher code by SMS to the number on the voucher, and setting up data is simple by sending the codes mentioned above for either 500Mb per month at any time, or 9Gb per month between 5pm and 9am Mon-Friday plus all day Sat & Sun.

I would definitely have bought a WIND SIM if I could have found one as 5Gb per month for 25 euros anytime would suit me better than the 9Gb per month limited times.

It's easy once you have the SIM. Dont expect to be able to buy ine at an airport - definitely not Naples.

Good Luck

[MATHA531]

Originally Posted by Richard10002

I had a lot of trouble finding a SIM card, (WIND or TIM), in Italy. It seems you have to be in fairly big places to get one.

I couldnt get one in Villasimius in Sardinia.... all the recharge shops said I had to go to Cagliari. Couldnt get one at Naples Airport. Eventually got a TIM SIM by buying a phone at AUCHAN superstore in/near Pompeii. Phone with SIM was 40 euros, and the store registered it for me using my driving licence.

Easy to get recharge vouchers once you have the SIM. I bought a 30 euro voucher on Stromboli, and another on Vulcano - both tiny islands off Sicily.

Recgarging is easy by sending the voucher code by SMS to the number on the voucher, and setting up data is simple by sending the codes mentioned above for either 500Mb per month at any time, or 9Gb per month between 5pm and 9am Mon-Friday plus all day Sat & Sun.

I would definitely have bought a WIND SIM if I could have found one as 5Gb per month for 25 euros anytime would suit me better than the 9Gb per month limited times.

It's easy once you have the SIM. Dont expect to be able to buy ine at an airport - definitely not Naples.

Good Luck

Rome airport?

Which one did you get?

Were you able to have them set the voice menus to English?