Stupid cell phone question
 

I have an AT&T plan that allows me to use my cell phone in Europe. We've used it a few times to call back and forth within Italy with no problems. We've used it to call back the U.S. from Italy with no problems. I know how to access my voicemail with no problems. But I'm not sure how people from the U.S. can call me on this phone.

AT&T said they just call my regular phone number but those calls seem to only go into our voicemail. Should someone in the U.S. be dialing the international calling code before they dial our phone number? i.e. 011-ac-phone number.

I need to leave my phone number with people but I only want to receive calls in case of an emergency, not all the normal everyday calls that I get when I'm at home. How do I control that?

nope they just dial the regular number.

As far as controling the every day calls i think you would have to tell people not to call. A rather low tech solution but the most effective.

....which is why you might wish to consider a prepaid Italian or European sim (see other threads)..

No you won't keep your US mobile number and will have to communicate to people your Italian mobile number for which they will have to dial the international prefix etc but on your side you will not pay to receive calls while they will pay for an international call and so might not wish to call you.

I'm really confused by this because last time I was in Europe (Italy in November) I didn't get calls from the U.S. Those calls went into my voicemail, my phone didn't ring first. The only calls I received were from my brother who was also in Italy using his Italian cell phone service.

I guess I should further explain that I do not need to go to the expense of getting an international cell phone. I only want two people to be able to call me, and then only if it is a dire emergency. I will not need to make calls back to the U.S. (again, unless it is a real emergency).

Then I guess the solution is to leave the mobile phone off and turn it on every so often to check voice mail

I agree with xyz123.... my parents travel a lot, and they turn their cell phone on at a given time. If we need to call them for some reason, we call during that couple of hours in the morning or evening. It works for them, and it is easy for us. Hope this helps!