MaureenB

You can also try PicCell.com. They specialize in international cell phones. We rented one from them for Italy last semester and were pleased with their prices and service. I believe they also sell phones.
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MaureenB

Correction: It's PiccellWireless.com
http://www.piccellwireless.com/lates...s_wireless.php
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Robespierre

Quad-band phones from US carriers aren't prohibitively expensive. I got a Motorola RAZR GSM, 4-band from wirefly.com for free (after a rebate that took a long time). I use that one while Mme. Robespierre uses the Siemens A57 we got from Virgin for £20 with a £5 airtime credit.

I believe every carrier in Europe has a deal similar to Virgin; Orange in France does, and I think I've seen Italian packages that are similar. The only caveat is that you aren't buying a phone that will work in the U.S. - but at these prices, does it have to?

ebflo

I bought a refurbished GSM triband unlocked phone on Ebay. I then went to rangeroamer.com and bought a sim card from them. It's free incoming calls and outgoing calls are only $.69/minute. The also offer you the option of having a 1 800 number for friends from the US to call.

Also, GSM phones work in the USA, but only with certain networks like T Mobile. Sprint and Nextel are CDMA (different cell technology from the rest of the world) and don't work overseas.

gracejoan3

Go to www.mobal.com

You can buy one for $49.95. I have had one for several years. I take it with me on every trip and use it...inexpensive, easy to use. What more could you want..

enjoy.....

Robespierre

The only all-GSM carriers in the U.S. that I know of are T-Mobile and Cingular. Others will sell you quad-band phones, but at obscene prices.

Susan33

When you buy a SIM/TIM card in Italy, do you need to have your passport with you??? Thanks

stefm

A low-end GSM phone costs about EUR 40 in Italy. It makes no sense to rent one for the same price or more, in my opinion. OK, it won't work in countries where GSM is not the local standard (most of the US, Japan...), but who cares.

Another story is to buy a SIM card with an Italian phone number to get the phone working. In theory, you would need to provide your Italian fiscal code (for residents, similar to Social Securty in the US) to complete the activation process when you are in the mobile phone store, along with your ID card/passport.
In practice, there must be a way to skip the fiscal code problem, since lots of tourists buy SIM cards with no problems. I've not investigated this issue thoroughly.

Anyway, the whole thing has its obvious advantages, as long as you are in Italy:

- you won't have charge for incoming calls, from everywhere
- your calls to Italian numbers will cost around EUR 0,20 - EUR 0,25 / minute
- your calls to Europe /US will cost around EUR 0,35 - EUR 0,50 /minute

Remember also that this phone will work anywhere there are GSM networks (70% of the world market), both with your Italian SIM (paying roaming fees) or using a local SIM card.

One last issue: which mobile operator to choose? In my opinion, the best service is offered by TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile) and Vodafone. Wind is another operator that has lower prices, but sometimes its coverage is not good. H3G offers only operator-locked phones, and it's a 3-G UMTS operator, so stick with the first two operators and you'll be satisfied.

As an example, TIM offers its basic Motorola GSM model with a new number and prepaid EUR 5,00 of airtime (rechargable) for just EUR 39,00

daveesl

If you are bringing a laptop with you, consider using Skype In/Skype Out. You have a local US number, regardless of where you are. I paid 2 cents per minute for my calls from Italy to the US and the incoming calls were free. Granted, could only use it in the hotel, but I didn't want to be bothered by anyone during our strolls anyway.

I carry a USB phone, so I don't have to use headphones or crappy laptop speaker/mic combos.

samsmom1127

bkm

Robespierre

Using Skype doesn't require a laptop, either. I have it on my iPAQ Pocket PC, and I can phone home anywhere there's an open WiFi net. I walk down the street, acquire a signal, log in and start dialing. I've done this in England and France.