There have lots of questions about using your iphone overseas. Most suggest turning off the data roaming, but this means you are totally reliant on wireless which isn't a help when you need access to maps or are trying to google for information while on the road. I had full use of my iphone during my trip to Italy in May for 3 euros.

I unlocked my iphone before leaving Australia in May. I transferred my Australian sim to another mobile and used my iphone for GPS, email, local calls and also tethered it to my netbook as a modem. At that stage, I think you could only skype to skype on the iphone, but I skyped on my netbook using my prepaid account.

Three Italy (www.tre.it) had a special of unlimited data for a month for 3 euro. I think it's now 5 euro for 3gb of data, but have put a limit on use to the iphone itself, technically this would mean I couldn't tether my iphone but we shall see..... This is what prepaidgsm has to say:

"Starting July 1st 2010, the offer SuperInternet by 3 ITA will be available only for surfing on the phone or iPad; usb dongles and also using the phone as a modem will be excluded (we actually don't know how they will do and if they will really act like they wrote on the website)." I will let you know after my trip in September.

I made sure I had created and printed a codice fiscale ( See www.prepaidgsm.net/en/italy.html ) before I left. Yes, they did ask for it, but the process was painless.

What wasn't painless was trying to find the Three store at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to buy the Sim after flying in from Australia. After asking around, I was told it was actually back inside the the terminal on the other side of security. We ended up buying ours at the Three Store on VIa del Corso by the Spanish Steps. I understand there is one at the Termini. I would love to know if anyone has found the Three Store at the airport.

This isn't applicable to Americans or Canadians, but as I have Three in Australia, I didn't pay to receive calls made to my Australian Three mobile number. The UK and Ireland also benefit from Three like Home.

The only problem was remembering which phone to use, I made boo boos a couple of times while jet lagged.