I want our friends in Italy to be able to reach me while I am traveling in the country. How shall I go about getting one here in the states to use there. What can I expect to pay?

Consistently, the best advice here is that you should BUY a phone upon arrival there. No-contract phones (buy the minutes as you go) are commonplace, and can typically be pruchase for 70-100 euro (with the first 20 euro in calls included in the price). Amd incoming calls are typically free.

And if that seems expensive, it comes down nicely in price if you plan on returning to this forum, to "sell it forward" to someone wanting a phone for Italy after you have returned, for 50-90% of what you paid.

Best wishes,

Rex

Or go on ebay and buy a used UNLOCKED TRI or QUAD band phone. Then when you get to Italy you only need to buy the SIM card (which includes minutes) for about 10€. Then you can use the phone whenever you anywhere in Europe by just getting a SIM card for the country you are in. We got one last year for $40.

That is amazing. Too bad I am asking this question at this late date. I'm sure I am too late for e-bay. I can see about buying one in Italy. Do you think it can be done "on the spot." How difficult to you think re-sale would be?

Or, you could do what we did, go to www.mobal.com and buy a phone for $49. Calls were about $1.25/min and the phone worked all over Europe.

Mobal????? $1.25/minute to make and to receive calls? Only if the phone is there just for an odd emergency or two....

Pennies to make calls and free to receive an Italian prepaid SIM. No comparison but takes about 10 to 15 minutes of work to go to a mobile phone store and get set up rather than via the mail.

Actually Italy is supposed to be very easy to buy unlocked phones that can be used anywhere in the world at not too huge a price.....

We got a phone " free' when we rented through Hertz. Weonly had to pay for minutes used.

If you get an Italian card, you wil only have to pay for outgoing calls. Incoming calls will be free to you.

<<Do you think it can be done "on the spot." >>

Absolutely. Easy as getting a few items from a grocery store (I understand that some people never attempt this either).

<<How difficult to you think re-sale would be?>>

I've done it; otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned it. I remain surprised that there isn't a vibrant "swap meet" of phones for sale here on this forum.

I think there are more people seeking phones, than individuals who come back here, willing to "sell one forward".

Does anyone know about cells4rent?

Piccell Wireless is also a great company- It's one of the cheaper ones. When I wento abroad to Florence I used it for the 5 months and just rented from them again when I went to Italy in March. I recommend them, very reliable.