Prepaid SIM in Italy?

[Effendi]

The "codice fiscale" is just for Italy. I don't think something similar exists in other EU countries, at least for registering a mobile number.

[Nedwes]

What i mean is does other EU residents outside italy need to get a code fiscale too or is just the passport good enough?

[Effendi]

Originally Posted by Nedwes

What i mean is does other EU residents outside italy need to get a code fiscale too or is just the passport good enough?

EVERYONE in the World needs a codice fiscale if he/she wants to buy an Italian card. It doesn't matter EU or non-EU.

[Nedwes]

ok...thx for the quick answers

[kevinn]

I and my wife will be in northern Italy for three weeks starting 24th July. We will be staying in Bologna, Venezia, Verona, near Asti, and Milano, and we will also be exploring the Emiglia-Romagna, Veneto, and Piemonte regions.

We plan to bring two phones -- one HTC Hermes with 3g (2100 included)/GPRS/EDGE and one very basic Nokia. We will also bring a "Option GT Max 3.6" PC card. We will likely use data for browsing and for a bit of blogging. So we will want three SIMs. The two phones should probably be on the same network. The Nokia will probably have very low usage; just a few short calls, mostly calling to and from the other. Probably not more than 60 minutes total. Most calling will be on the Hermes, mostly to book tours, restaurants, check-in with hotels, etc.

From reading earlier posts, I am leaning towards 3, for their 3g network (which at least claims to operate in all the towns in which we are staying, as well as Parma). Second choice is Wind. I am wondering the following:

1. can I use my phones and PC card on 3's network (and roam to TIM)?

2. what will happen in the countryside -- I understand we can roam on TIM -- apparently that doesn't always apply to data? When I roam TIM data, is EDGE or 3g available?

3. Is the following page still accurate? Attempting to read 3's Italian page, I'm having trouble finding these exact plans.

http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/italia/h3g.html

4. any summer specials that cover this period?

5. any other reasons to worry about 3?

Any thoughts? Grazie mille!

Kevin

[kevinn]

Hmm. After reading the following (a bit old, but still accurate?), I'm rethinking a bit.

http://www.prepaidgsm.net/forum/glob...view-t711.html

Maybe use Nokia as primary phone, on Wind, and use 3g HTC and PC on 3 ITA when doing data. Accept that we'll pay a few bucks for calls between the phones.

This way I avoid nuisance for calls when "on border between UMTS & GSM areas."

Thanks again for the site and other info!

Kevin

[Effendi]

Hi Kevin,
I would NOT use 3, honestly. First of all, you cannot use 3 on your Nokia if it's not a 3G phone. Second, when there's no 3 network you roam on TIM, with no extra fee for voice calls, but WITH quite an expensive extra fee for data. And since you plan to use it for data it can be very dangerous for your credit.

I'd go with Wind which has 3G coverage in all the mentioned towns (3,5G too in some bigger places), plus GPRS (and maybe EDGE) in the other places in the countryside that you are going to visit.

[kayejaye]

Hi Effendi,

I'm new to this forum and I've read this thread and I have a few questions for you. I've followed the instructions on this website to get a CF. I'll be Italy for about a week traversing between Treviso to Portogruaro and Venice and maybe Rome in mid-August. I don't require the use of data plans as I only need the voice and SMS options.

1)Would I be better off choosing Poste Mobile since it cost 15Euros and gives me 15Euro Credit as well? Would I be right to choose the "Con Tutti" Option as there is no set-up fee for each call and it will only cost me 16 Eu Cents per minute?

2) Effendi, can you comment, I've just read from some of the posts that it can be quite difficult to get Pre-paid Poste Mobile? Will it be difficult to get it activated as it needs at least about 24hrs or so?

3) How would you compare Poste Mobile to Wind Super Senza?

Your advice will be much appreciated

Steve

from Singapore

[mpattera]

Originally Posted by kayejaye

1)Would I be better off choosing Poste Mobile since it cost 15Euros and gives me 15Euro Credit as well? Would I be right to choose the "Con Tutti" Option as there is no set-up fee for each call and it will only cost me 16 Eu Cents per minute?

In Italy MVNO are not convenient, except some particular (and often time-limited) promotional options for on-net calling.

3) How would you compare Poste Mobile to Wind Super Senza?

With Wind you will have guarantee of full services of a real mobile operator. Furthermore super senza scatto is debited 1/1, postemobile debit 30/30. Now, Wind offers "Summer collection 5", a special sim pack that gives you 5€/month for 6 months of free calls (you will get at minumum 1 month).

[fedeprovenza]

wind Super Senza Scatto--->17 eurocent/minute. billing 1/1
Postemobile. Con tutti------->16 eurocent/minute. billing 30/30
Sms with both--->12 eurocent