My husband and I will be going to Italy at the end of May and are thinking that it would be smart to have a cell phone available in case of an emergency. I have a cell phone that I use in the US, but don't know if it will work in Italy, or if there are better options out there. <BR><BR>Any information on the best way to do this would be appreciated...

Most likely not...the US is years behind Europe when it comes to cell phone technology and the phones in this country operate on a different frequency than do the ones in the rest of the civilized world.<BR><BR>Having said that, you need a tri band GSM phone. You would have such a phone if 1) you paid lots of money and 2) your phone uses SIMS card technology. In the US, Voicestream definitely does use this technology. AT&T and Verizon most assuredly do not.<BR><BR>But despair not...there is a very very simple solution. It is stupid to rent a cell phone as the per call charge is high and rental rates are high too. When you get to Italy, go into a phone store and buy an inexpensive (50 - 70 Euros) cellulr pay as you go phone. Buy the cheapest phone there is. The phones come with pay as you go plans which the phone store operator will describe which will allow you to make calls within Italy, somewhat more expensive calls outside Italy (but still far less than hotels charge) and most importantly free as in no charge reception of calls to you. You will have an Italian phone number where people can reach you.<BR><BR>As far as calling the US, I am not familiar with the Italian rates. What I do in England, sometimes as some of the call plans are very inexpensive there, is I use my net2phone account. The local call to the net2phone server is charged at local rates and the rates to the US are fairly inexpensive.<BR><BR>The web was no help to me as while I found several sites describing Italian cell phone operators, they were much to my surprise, in Italian and unfortunately I do not read a word.<BR><BR>I do know Italian cell phone rates are among the cheapest in Western Europe....

good info Jeff.<BR><BR>After reading up, I decided to do as you suggested and buy a phone in Italy.<BR><BR>One question: Does it include voicemail? Are the instructions in Italian?

I rent a phone for $49.00 for 30 days from Voicestream. <BR><BR>That way I have a US number to give everyone that needs to call me before I leave the US. The per call rates are not cheap, but they beat the hotel and you have a phone in the car with you. <BR><BR>Upon return I mail the phone back. This also avoids the hassle of finding the shop in Italy to sell you the phone instead of going out and enjoying Italy. If you are not on the phone constantly and just need it for a few calls and possible emergencies this works well. Plus I found the reception in Italy to be very good. You are in Italy to see the sites, not seek out phone deals.

Rent a phone in Italy that will take phonecards and you purchase the minutes. You can find them online and if you pay ahead of your trip, they will give you your cell phone number to pass onto family before your trip.<BR>Yes, voice mail is typically included and in English.

Bob..it takes approximately 12 minutes to deal with buying the phone and the service. It is very common among Europeans to do this. You will be set up within 20 minutes of entering the phone store.<BR><BR>As far as finding the phone store you bought the phone from, you are not renting the phone. You are buying the phone for the same price it costs to rent from Voicestream. You take the phone home; it's your to keep forever and forever. Or you can loan it or re-sell it to one of your friends going to Italy.<BR><BR>What's even better. It is possible the phone is not locked into one service provider. I do not know the Italian policy on this. Next year you go to England. If the phone is not locked, you go into an English phone store and buy a SIMS pakc for one of the English cell providers. Costs &pound;10 for a Virgin mobile pack. Guess what...you insert the SIMS card and voila you now have an English mobile number and phone. You go on to France....you do the same thing. You switch the SIMS card and you have a French phone...the big question is when you buy the phone is it locked. There are hackers out there who know the codes to unlock the phones.<BR><BR>The SIMS card technology is what make this great. Yes I know it is a bit inconvenient to have to e-mail your friends you cell phone number in each new country but when I have the phone and can be out during the day and call to make reservations for restaurants or call verious theatre venues etc. with my very own phone for 5p a minute in the UK rather than $2/nin. When my friends can call me for free (at least on my end), I find it very worthwhile and much much much better than paying the outrageous prices of renting a phone...

I'm planning to buy a cell phone and service as soon as possible after I arrive. There's a TIM store at Fiumicino - I thought I would pick up a phone there and hit the road. Does this make sense or is there a significant difference in cost that would make it worthwhile to shop around?<BR><BR>Thanks!

I have found that the chain store prices are pretty much the same at the airport as in town but I can't guarantee it. <BR><BR>If they have a phone for around 60 Euros including the service pack, you can't really go wrong now can you?

Thanks, Jeff.

I am now revising my plan to buy a cell phone from FCO, does anyone know if they still have a TIM store there?

Is the theory to buy a duel band that is used everywhere but USA because they are cheaper? I already have a cell phone to use here (USA).

I poste this on another thread re this topic, but will include it here as well:

Message: Here is a link to a series of very good, very detailed articles re international mobile phones:
http://www.thetravelinsider.info/2002/0308.htm

Along the left side of the page, there are links to further articles re unlocking your GSM phone, reviews of specific phones and phone services, etc. This is the most comprehensive, specific information of this nature I've ever found from a single source, and I thought others might also find it useful.

Oh Thanks, I got the idea first from reading here, now, of course, I am obsessed with buying a tri-band phone.

I will read your web site now!

Thanks to Jeff &amp; Max for the tips. I like the idea of getting the phone online. What is the web site for this? Do they mail you the phone or do you arrange to pick it up there? Would that be approx the same cost as buying it there? I'll be flying into Venice.

Hello CF:

My husband and I will be in Italy in May and would like to have access to a cell phone. I did some research and found a site: www.cellularabroad.com - they seem to have pretty good choices - you can either rent a phone for a period of time - (you have to purchase the SIM card for Italy separately). Or you can purchase the phone with the SIM card for $219.00. If you travel internationally frequently this might be the way to go. You will always have the phone - you'll just need to purchase country- appropirate SIM cards. Hope this helps.

Helen

&quot;What's even better. It is possible the phone is not locked into one service provider.&quot;

It isn't. And buying a phone to use in Europe seems a lot cheaper than any other option mentioned. Such a phone will work almost anywhere in the world EXCEPT the US; I used my Italian cellphone in India (next time I go, I'll buy an Indian SIM card - WAY cheaper).


best regards,
Deirdr&eacute; Straughan

http://www.straughan.com

We bought a cheap phone 2 years ago and have loaned it to many friends. Calls from NA to a cell phone cost more than calls to a land line. We were told the best service in Italy was Vodaphone(SP) and we took calls in the Italian Alps amd in the Colleseum in Rome that were crystal clear. We were told Tim had the worst service and coverage in Italy despite being the national phone company. We paid about 100 Euros, just be sure it has English instructions.
Gerry

HELP!! Is anyone familiar with a &quot;Wind&quot; cell phone which also says &quot;Sendo&quot; on the front&quot;? In Oct. '02 while staying at Malvarina, another guest had one which she had been using for a long time on several trips a year to Italy -- no problems. I felt I needed one for emergencies over there, so the taxi took us to a shop in S.M. Angeli, just outside of Assisi. I paid 100 Euro for it and wall and car chargers, plus 15 E. for a SIM card. Long story short-- after a successful test call to her, I went on my way. Not being a cell phone user here, I screwed up and somehow couldn't get it to work. The tiny Umbrian hilltowns had no English speaking phone shops for that brand so I just put it away. It's still brand new, original container and receipts. The card has 1 call on it and no expiration date. The little instruction booklet is in Italian. What to do?? I appreciate your suggestions. Thanks. Diane.

jeff, you seem to be stupid and with no culture at all! fuck you bastard!

Any suggestions for my problem? To ellidiano: this board can do without crude replies like yours. Diane.

I am a prefessional in the cellular area and I'd like to say that Jeff's posts are 100% correct.

A few more comments:
- a low cost terminal (locked to the operator) should cost about 50 to 60 Euros.
- if you wish to have it unlocked you have to pay some more. The total, i.e: the cost of the terminal unlocked should't cost more than 100 Euros.
- telephones bought in Europe work in USA under 3 conditions (they are GSM, they are triband and there is GSM radio coverage in that particular area)
- for GSM coverage and operators operating in each country, check www.gsmworld.com