Italy SIM Help

jgrahamiii · **Italy SIM Help -** 20-04-2007, 13:12

Hi. I'm travelling to Itlay from the USA this summer and have purchased on EBay an unlocked quadband Motorola V188. When I did that, I didn't realize buying the phone would be only 1/4 of the issue! There seem so many choices for SIMs and despite a lot of reading, I still don't understand some things.

I will probably be calling the US more than Italy, but I estimate that my total usage will probably amount to 30-50 euro's based upon the rates listed on this site if I figured it correctly. So I don't think paying for a SIM before I leave or an international SIM makes sense. Better to buy one of the Italian National SIM's when I get there.

That's my first question. I generated a 'codice fiscale' on line and will have a copy of my passport. Will I have any problem buying a SIM in Italy? Is there any reason not to buy it right at the airport in Rome?

Second is which system and which plan. I estimated my various usages and the cost based on the prices listed in this site for each plan (hard to figure exactly, since I will never know if I'm calling a landline or what kind of mobile in Italy). My next question is that where there is a per minute charge and a setup charge, do you get charged both the setup fee and the per minute fee for the first minute?

Next question is about the WIND "Call My Country" promotion. Because many of my calls will be to the US, that is clearly my best option(.35 instead of .50 per min). It is also free if activated within 24 hours of buying a new SIM. How do I activate this? Will the person at the WIND store do it for me? Is it available with each of the WIND plans? In addition to larger Cities, where I am not worried, I will also be in Sorrento, Pompeii, Positano and the Tuscan countryside. Should I be concerned about coverage in these areas with WIND (vs. TIM or Vodafone)? Lastly, how hard is it to find a WIND store? Is there one in the Leonardo DiVinci airport?

With an Italy SIM card, how do you set up and retrieve voice mail? Is there an initial password on the card?

As a last question, I've seen several cards offered for sale on TIM either on EBAY or sites like Telestatial. I probably won't spend the extra money for these, but some of the rate plans I've seen are not the same as any on your website. Is the plan built into the SIM card? Can you change plans if you want? How do you do that? Do you need to buy a recharge card for your particular plan or does it recharge whatever plan you have?

Sorry for all the questions. I just don't want to spend half my vacation figuring out how to get my cell to work or get hit with large bills! Please note, I'm not interested in internet or data. Thanks very much for any help anyone can offer! -Jen

	(#1)
jgrahamiii (Offline) Junior Member Newbie Posts: 3 Join Date: 20 Apr 2007 Country:	Italy SIM Help - 20-04-2007, 13:12 Hi. I'm travelling to Itlay from the USA this summer and have purchased on EBay an unlocked quadband Motorola V188. When I did that, I didn't realize buying the phone would be only 1/4 of the issue! There seem so many choices for SIMs and despite a lot of reading, I still don't understand some things. I will probably be calling the US more than Italy, but I estimate that my total usage will probably amount to 30-50 euro's based upon the rates listed on this site if I figured it correctly. So I don't think paying for a SIM before I leave or an international SIM makes sense. Better to buy one of the Italian National SIM's when I get there. That's my first question. I generated a 'codice fiscale' on line and will have a copy of my passport. Will I have any problem buying a SIM in Italy? Is there any reason not to buy it right at the airport in Rome? Second is which system and which plan. I estimated my various usages and the cost based on the prices listed in this site for each plan (hard to figure exactly, since I will never know if I'm calling a landline or what kind of mobile in Italy). My next question is that where there is a per minute charge and a setup charge, do you get charged both the setup fee and the per minute fee for the first minute? Next question is about the WIND "Call My Country" promotion. Because many of my calls will be to the US, that is clearly my best option(.35 instead of .50 per min). It is also free if activated within 24 hours of buying a new SIM. How do I activate this? Will the person at the WIND store do it for me? Is it available with each of the WIND plans? In addition to larger Cities, where I am not worried, I will also be in Sorrento, Pompeii, Positano and the Tuscan countryside. Should I be concerned about coverage in these areas with WIND (vs. TIM or Vodafone)? Lastly, how hard is it to find a WIND store? Is there one in the Leonardo DiVinci airport? With an Italy SIM card, how do you set up and retrieve voice mail? Is there an initial password on the card? As a last question, I've seen several cards offered for sale on TIM either on EBAY or sites like Telestatial. I probably won't spend the extra money for these, but some of the rate plans I've seen are not the same as any on your website. Is the plan built into the SIM card? Can you change plans if you want? How do you do that? Do you need to buy a recharge card for your particular plan or does it recharge whatever plan you have? Sorry for all the questions. I just don't want to spend half my vacation figuring out how to get my cell to work or get hit with large bills! Please note, I'm not interested in internet or data. Thanks very much for any help anyone can offer! -Jen Last edited by jgrahamiii; 20-04-2007 at 13:19..