Using mobile in Italy

VickyA_2

Next week I'm going to Italy for 4 weeks. Other than paying a fortune to call/receive on my Orange phone, is there anyway that I can get a cheaper deal? Is this possible, or will I have to rent an Italian mobile?

Thanks
Vicky

Steve_xx

No you wont have to rent an Italian mobile but you could consider getting an Italian Pay as you go SIM card.

carl310166

Vicky,
Try here,

http://www.0044.co.uk/

Fry_2

If you do not want to get another SIM, you could buy pre-paid Europe 1 Zone minutes from Orange themselves (if you are on contract and not pay as you go). Probably does not save you a huge amount unless you are making and receiving large numbers of calls and texts.

I can not find it on their website but think it is.....pay £10 before you go to Italy, get £12 worth free.

Maybe someone else can find the exact pricing or call Orange Customer Services?

andy88_2

Those calls on an Orange contract phone would be 70p outgoing, 30p incoming, discounted by a sixth if you get that option

The 0044 gives you an idea of the call charges on TIM, but don't buy the sim card there. £25 for a €10 card is not good value. Wait until you get you arrive there.

An Orange phone will need to be unlocked. Orange would charge £20-30 and the rest of the rental upfront. So go elsewhere. Small independent phone shops or, for some phones, Nokias especially, you can get the code calculated remotely (maybe online) and enter it yourself. If you have or can getan old phone from Vodafone or O2 contract these were probably not locked

An odd thing for Italy is you need to get a "Codice Fiscale" before you're allowed to buy a sim card, available from an "Agenzia delle entrate"

There are 3 main networks TIM, Vodafone, Wind. Also 3 on 3g like here. I'd go for Wind as it's probably the cheapest (it has a call your own country tariff at €0.35) but also you can get a prepaid calling card to use with it called Dialoga International, though it seems to be on sale in newsstands and tobacconists rather than phone shops

andy88_2

People calling your Italian sim from home can call for 20p/min from Orange, or 15p/min using 18866 for your home phone (more info on 18866 elsewhere on MSE if you don't know it)

In fact on Orange I think you can prepay a block of international calls and get 20% extra

VickyA_2

Thank you everyone for all your replies. Sounds like I need to unlock my Nokia phone before I go!