Choosing an Italian SIM Card

Currently, there are four network operators in Italy; TIM, Vodafone, Wind and “3”. There are also several MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) including Uno Mobile, MTV, Le Poste Mobile and several others. MVNOs use the larger operator’s towers and hence coverage is the same but other features such as rates will differ. In terms of coverage, TIM and Vodafone are the most comprehensive and considered to be excellent while Wind is usually described as decent while 3's coverage is poor in many areas. Rates are comparable although often a carrier will offer special deals intended to get users to switch from one operator to another. The fact of the matter is that many Italians actually carry 2 or more phones and try as best they can to call within the network, ex. Vodafone to other Vodafone subscribers, TIM SIMs to call TIM subscribers, etc.

MVNOs are intended to target specific demographics. For example, Le Poste Mobile (on the Vodafone network) targets customers that tend to go to the post office often (in Italy, postal services include many services not offered in many countries, such as banking services and the ability to pay bills). MTV (on the TIM network) targets a younger demographic and offers extras such as free ringtones. Finally, Uno Mobile, on the Vodafone network, has several versions of their SIM cards including one that is specifically intended for use by English speaking travelers going to Italy who need an easy to use solution with discounted rates back home.

Uno Mobile

The Uno Mobile SIM card we recommend is particularly advantageous to the vast majority of American and Canadian travelers to Italy. First, there is one flat rate for all calls within Italy. Unlike other SIM cards, the Uno Mobile SIM card does not confusing rates making it difficult to know what you are really being charged. Second, rates back to the US and Canada are approximately 30-50% less than what other carriers charge. Third, there is a toll free customer service number with English speaking reps. Lastly, all SIM cards come ready to go and do not require a passport for registration. The Uno Mobile SIM card is available online and ships from the US, prior to your departure. All other SIM cards available online, besides Uno Mobile, are not specifically intended nor designed for use with the English speaking traveler in mind and, besides not having the above benefits, require a scan of your passport along with other personal information.

Adding Call Credit

Additional call credit is available for all carriers at any Tabacchi store (stores that sell newspapers and cigarettes) as well as most gas stations and cafés. Simply ask for a “ricarica” (recharge) for X amount of Euros for the SIM card you have. If you have an Italian credit card, you may also purchase online credit directly on the carriers’ website. If you have a Uno Mobile SIM, you can also you as US or Canadian credit card to purchase from the carrier’s website or, for a service fee, you can purchase call credit from www.cellularabroad.com

Use outside of Italy

All carriers offer “roaming” to other destinations. You can expect rates to vary from carrier to carrier but generally speaking, they are all more or less comparable and none offer free incoming calls. Hence, if you are planning on using your service outside of Italy very conservatively then it may make sense to roam with an Italian SIM card. The main obstacle is adding call credit outside of Italy which, for some carriers, may not be possible. With Uno Mobile this is less of an issue as one can always order online or through Cellular Abroad.

Service life

Currently, all SIM cards are valid for one year from the date of the first outgoing call. Each recharge voucher extends the validity for another year. However, TIM has been known to require re-registration for SIM cards that are not used on a regular basis. If you do not re-register the SIM card, they will deactivate it. Besides being a nuisance having to provide your personal details, if your phone is not always on, you will not know that it needs to be re-registered as what TIM does is to send you a text message requiring re-registration. Therefore, the TIM SIM card is not recommended for those who are planning on returning to Italy periodically.

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”.