Need some help about costs

[Mom]

Hi, All! Like ziporpor I also have some questions which seem foolish but I still do not understand some basic concepts.

I have two daughters about to go off to Italy for four months. I plan to send them with unlocked cells and then activate SIMS --- probably TIM or Vodafone. They will be using texting and some calls (to other non TIM/Vodafone cells). We have not yet decided on adding internet for their phones --- that will depend on costs.

I have studied this site and the TIM/Vodafone websites, (---I do not understand Italian) but am still not sure on the plans. My questions are related to whether or not you build your own packages/bundles to meet your needs.
I really don’t understand what you get when you activate a SIM and then how you add features that you need. I also don’t understand if you can combine packages.
I can use some specific examples here but I would appreciate any general help.

I will use Vodafone as an example:
1. Do you start with activating your SIM and choosing a rechargeable plan like Vodaphone12? Do you then add options to meet your needs?

2. If you pick a package like Square Smart it includes almost everything but does not consider phone calls to national numbers. So, if you want to call another national number, what do you do. Do you have to have another plan or do you get charged by another rate? or do you get charged the rate of the Vodafone12 if that's what you start with?


Using TIM as my example:
1. Again, do you start with activating your SIM and choosing a rechargeable plan like Vodaphone12?

2. Do you need to pick a basic plan like TIM12 and then can you add a texting option like TUTTO COMPRESO RICARICABILE SMS (text)?

3. Can you combine a voice plan and a text plan?
--- like TUTTO COMPRESO RICARICABILE (voice) + TUTTO COMPRESO RICARICABILE SMS (text) ?

4. If we wanted to add a data package for internet, like TIMxSMARTPHONE, could you add it to either of the above as with the example in #1 or #2?

5. There is also a new option on the TIM website called TIM YOUNG for text and internet. Is this for prepaid users? How do I get charged for calls? Do I pick an option for calls?

Thanks so much for anything you can do to point us in the right direction!

[Effendi]

Originally Posted by Mom

I will use Vodafone as an example:
1. Do you start with activating your SIM and choosing a rechargeable plan like Vodaphone12? Do you then add options to meet your needs?

yes, correct.

Originally Posted by Mom

2. If you pick a package like Square Smart it includes almost everything but does not consider phone calls to national numbers. So, if you want to call another national number, what do you do. Do you have to have another plan or do you get charged by another rate? or do you get charged the rate of the Vodafone12 if that's what you start with?

you get charged the rate of the Vodafone12 if that's the plan you chose.

Originally Posted by Mom

Using TIM as my example:
1. Again, do you start with activating your SIM and choosing a rechargeable plan like Vodaphone12?

yes, same as above. And same is with Wind and any other operator in Italy. You always have to choose one basic plan, then you can add the options.

Originally Posted by Mom

3. Can you combine a voice plan and a text plan?
--- like TUTTO COMPRESO RICARICABILE (voice) + TUTTO COMPRESO RICARICABILE SMS (text) ?

some options can be combined, some no. That's a bit more complicated to explain. Basically "different target" options can be combinated without problems: i.e. you can combine an option for SMS with one for VOICE with one for DATA. But sometimes you cannot combine an option with VOICE+SMS with one with SMS only (it that makes sense).

Originally Posted by Mom

4. If we wanted to add a data package for internet, like TIMxSMARTPHONE, could you add it to either of the above as with the example in #1 or #2?

yes, no problem.

Originally Posted by Mom

5. There is also a new option on the TIM website called TIM YOUNG for text and internet. Is this for prepaid users? How do I get charged for calls? Do I pick an option for calls?

Yes TIM Young is a special offer for people under 30 years old and it's quite interesting. AFAIK it's an option like all the others so you have to choose your basic plan and then add the Young option.
Unfortunately TIM Young is incompatible with many other options:

L’Opzione TIM YOUNG è incompatibile con TIM Young Summer Edition, TIMx2(a 2€ settimana non più in commercializzazione), TIMx4, TIMxTutti Messaggi, Tutto compreso Ricaricabile SMS, con la gamma Tutto Compreso 250, 500, 1000 , 1500 e FULL e con le Opzioni della gamma Tutto Compreso che includono gli SMS e con tutte le offerte dati a tempo e con TIMxSmartphone , e con la gamma TUTTO Smartphone.

And remember you cannot use data for tethering and VoIP with TIM Young.

[ziporpor]

Really, you keep this forum almost all by yourself and it is quite amazing, I enjoyed contacting with you via the forum page very much!

one last question,
I see that the networks have data plans for smartphones and for tablets and usually the tablets plans include more GB than the phones do.
Is it possible for me to recharge my sim card with a tablet plan but use it in my smartphone?

Again, Thanks for your amazing work here!