Does anyone know how or where to rent a cell phone in Italy? Thanks

You can rent an international cell phone in the U.S. and take it with you. The company name Record Pone Intl 732-617-2100. The rates are great give them a call, they fed-ex phone to you.

From the New York Times, 7/9/00: "Companies in the US like International Mobile Communications offers rentals of cell phones ("WorldCell") to passengers going abroad. In July 2000 it costs $75 for the first week, $50 for each extra week. International calls on these phones can be charged to a calling card or to a WorldCell calling plan. For info, call in the US <BR>888 967 5323 or www.worldcell.com Voicestream also has a rental plan for $29 per week (July 2000) including overnight delivery and prepaid return of the phone. A large $freeze is put on the client's credit card against return of the phone and payment of call charges. Contact 877 666-4246 or www.omnipoint.com <BR>In most countries that use GSM technology (most of Europe and the Middle East), you can locally rent inexpensive cell phones with prepaid calling cards. The www.gsm.org webiste lists service providers." <BR>

I'm leaving for Italy in a few weeks and renting a phone from Omnipoint. They offer the best pricing out of the several rental companies I researched. Only $49 a month and no charges for Fedex delivery of the phone. Call charges are just as expensive as everyone else though.

Thanks Danielle, I just got a fax from Record Phone Intl and will be renting from them. They are by far the least expensive that I looked at and the phone works both in the US and in Europe with just a switch change. At $20.00/week they are really affordable. <BR>

Can you buy pre-pay mobiles in mainland Europe? In the UK, $90 buys you a phone and a bunch of free calls. When you run out of call time, you buy more in a shop (almost ANY shop). When you don't want the phone any more, you dispose of it. No contract, no hassle, no problem. Admittedly it's £4 a minute to the US ($6)!