Choosing an Italian sim card

There are four network operators in Italy; TIM, Vodafone, Wind and “3”. Which one is the best? Like in all things, you pay for what you get and, when it comes to Italian sim cards it is no different. If you are looking for the lowest price then “3” or “Wind” are the best to choose. You're waiting for the ‘but’... and here it comes: the reception is not very good and not just in the mountains. I have a “3” sim and the line is often bad and can get cut off. So you end up having to call back and the lower cost margin ends up not paying off! When I can't get through, I just use my other phone (TIM), which always gets through. Also, international text messages rarely come through with “3”, if at all, and they seem to get lost in the ocean somewhere when you send them. Wind is pretty much the same. The reason for this is that they have fewer transmission towers across Italy. They tell you this is not a problem, because your phone will roam onto the TIM network when necessary, which it does, but this is exactly why the line can be bad or get cut off at times. Your phone looks for another signal, but doesn't always find it in time. Vodafone also have a very good transmission signal all over Italy, claiming coverage for around 99% of the population, like TIM. Their per-minute prices are often attractive, too, but sometimes include high connection fees which aren't publicized along with the 'low' call cost.

“3” it has to be said, differentiate by offering a HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) which claims to reach 14.4 Mb/s download, so it is the best option for internet users or for sending MMS photos by phone.

Weighing up your options, if you had to make a call, TIM or Vodafone would be the safest bet. But if you like to risk not receiving calls in exchange for lower prices, then go for Wind or “3”.