Introduction

Contacting us
Italy service
Rates
Activating your service
Shipping information
Making and receiving calls
Recharging your account
Contacting Customer Service
Service life
Cell phone compatibility

Frequently asked questions

Can I get instructions in English?
Do you get voicemail?
What is the charge for checking your voicemail?
Are there any connection fees in addition to per-minute fees?
How do I register my sim before travel?
Is there a charge for receiving a text message?
Can I get info on Roaming charges?
Is there a rate chart for charges in Italy?
My son will be studying in Florence, does it cost him to receive calls?
I would like to purchase a quad band cell phone, does it work in Italy?
Does the sim expire?
Can I purchase the sim card and have it sent to me in the US, activate and install in the phone I purchase and then ship it to Italy?
Are there any restrictions on shipping cell phones from the US to Italy?
Is there airtime credit on the sim when I buy it?
Can I buy Airtime vouchers?
Are incoming calls free?
Can I send an SMS to the US, China, Australia?
Can I get call waiting?
Is there a contract, monthly fees or credit check?

Instructions

Activating your service
How to recharge (add air time)
Making international calls
Receiving calls
Balance
Customer service
Voicemail
Service expiration
ATTENTION: ITALY Subscribers
I would like to purchase a quad band cell phone, does it work in Italy?

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Introduction

Contacting us

Email:

sales@italy101.com

Italy Service

The official TIM Italian SIM card, combined with an unlocked GSM cell phone, is the most simple and economical solution for making and receiving phone calls while in Italy.
ALL incoming calls, regardless of their origin, are FREE! Outgoing rates, as outlined below, are extremely inexpensive as well. Since this SIM card is prepaid, there are no monthly fees and no need for a contract.
Having an international mobile phone while traveling overseas is indispensable in terms of security and convenience, and with a prepaid SIM card, it is also affordable!

This service requires registration BEFORE YOU TRAVEL.

Registration requires 1-3 working days and is provided by Italy101.com Please consult your User Guide for further details.

Rates

Domestic Calls

Outbound calls: Domestic rates are per-minute
Inbound calls: free (when in Italy)
Connection Fee: there is no connection fee inbound or outbound.

Calling to	Per minute rate
TIM mobile phone	EUR 0.19 ($0.25 USD)
Landlines	EUR 0.19 ($0.25 USD)
Other mobile phones	EUR 0.19 ($0.25 USD)
National SMS	EUR 0.19 ($0.25 USD) per message

International calls

All incoming calls, regardless of where they originate, are free with your Italy SIM card.

Calling to	Per minute rate
United States	0.50 EUR ($0.60 USD)
Canada	0.50 EUR ($0.60 USD)
Europe	0.50 EUR ($0.60 USD)
International SMS	0.30 EUR ($0.43 USD) per message

Activating your service

Your official TIM SIM card will provide you with an Italy mobile phone number that is printed on the reverse of the SIM card packaging under a bar code and will begin N. tel 3.

To activate your service

1. Be sure that the battery is adequately charged.
2. Insert the SIM card into your GSM phone*.
3. Turn the phone on.
4. Make a call, (Once you make your first phone call your SIM card will also be activated to receive calls).
5. The first call can be made outside of Italy, as long as the sim has been registered.

* You will need to snap out the thumbnail sized SIM card along the perforated edge of its holder and then insert the SIM card into your international mobile phone with the gold contacts of the SIM card facing the metal contacts of your mobile phone.
^ Your phone will prompt you for a 4-digit PIN code, which is located on the back of the SIM card. The PUK is only required to unblock your phone if you enter in a PIN code incorrectly for a total of 3 times. Follow your cell phone manual instructions to correctly use the PUK to unblock your phone.

Shipping information

Your SIM card will ship directly from New York, USA.
Arrival time varies depending on your location.
Allow 3 - 4 days for US delivery (add a day for HI & AK)
Allow 5 - 10 days for international shipping
Sorry, we don't ship on Sundays

Making and receiving calls

How to make a call

To make an international call from your Italian mobile phone dial 00 then the country code and phone number. For example, to call the United States, dial 00 then 1 and then the phone number.

How family and friends call you

Family and friends need to dial the international prefix then the country code and your mobile phone number. For example, when calling from the United States, callers need to dial 011 39 and then your mobile phone number.

Recharging your account

To add credit to your Italy SIM card, you will need to purchase RICARICard airtime vouchers. You will find these vouchers in tobacco shops and petrol stations in Italy.
They are available in 5 denominations: 5 EUR ($7.35 USD), 10 EUR ($14.70 USD), 20 EUR ($29.41 USD), 30 EUR ($44.12 USD) and 50 EUR ($73.54 USD).
RICARICard airtime vouchers are available at face value, so a 5 EUR voucher will cost you 5 EUR and subsequently will credit your Italy SIM card with 5 EUR.

To recharge your account:

1. Purchase a recharge voucher.
2. Scratch off the silver covering to reveal the 16 digit code.
3. Call 4916 from your Italy cell phone (this call is free of charge!).
4. Select option 2 for the recharge option.
5. Select option 1 for the RICARICard recharge option.
6. Enter the 16 digit code.
7. The number will be repeated back to you.
8. Press 8 to confirm.

If the service is not available, you can key in: *123* RicariCard Code # [SEND]

For more information, dial 119 in Italy from your mobile phone.

Do not purchase another Italy SIM card when your credit is depleted. You only need a recharge voucher!

Contacting Customer Service

Customer service for your Italy SIM card is available 24/7 by dialing 1860 from your mobile phone. Select option 2 for English.

Service life

Each recharge extends the validity of the SIM card for 12 months from the date of the recharge, plus one month in which you may only receive calls. If you do not recharge your SIM card within that period, the SIM card and phone number will be recycled and any remaining credit will be forfeit. To get connected again you will be required to purchase another SIM card.

Cell phone compatibility

Your TIM SIM will require a GSM phone that operates on the 900 / 1800 frequency.

If you want a phone that also works in the USA (GSM 1900 frequency), we recommend you buy a Quadband phone. Please ensure that your operator has not locked your phone for use with their SIM only.

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Can I get instructions in English?

Yes. To change your voicemail language to English, please dial 4919 from your mobile phone, then listen to the voice prompts and press 6 and then 2.

Do you get voicemail?

Yes, the number to dial is 4919. To change your voice prompts for 4916 to English, once you arrive in Italy, send a text message 'Lingua Ing' (without quotation marks) to 4916.

What is the charge for checking your voicemail?

The same as a normal phone call.

Are there any connection fees in addition to per-minute fees?

No, there are no connection fees inbound or outbound.

How do I register my sim before travel?

You need to send a scanned image of your passport and sign a customer consent form to sales@italy101.com
TIM WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT ANYTHING BUT A PASSPORT.
The customer consent form may be downloaded here: customer consent form.pdf
(see an example customer consent form)

Is there a charge for receiving a text message?

No, there is no charge for receiving texts from anywhere in the world, while you are in Italy.

Can I get info on Roaming charges?

€ per minute	€ cent per minute
Outbound (To EU and Italy)	51.6 € cent
Inbound in EU	22.8 € cent
Centesimi/€	€ cent per SMS / text
Outbound	13.2 € cent
Inbound	FREE

Is there a rate chart for charges in Italy?

Yes, please refer to our chart on the main page.

My son will be studying in Florence, does it cost him to receive calls?

No. There are no costs for receiving calls from anywhere in the world, while in Italy.

I would like to purchase a quad band cell phone, does it work in Italy?

Yes, An international cell phone is classified as a GSM mobile phone that operates on the GSM 900 and GSM 1800 frequency. An international cell phone with the TIM sim card, will provide coverage in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific Rim including Australia. A world cell phone with the GSM 1900 frequency will expand coverage to include the United States, Canada and a growing part of South America.

Does the sim expire?

Yes, 12 months after the last credit recharge, otherwise, every time you add airtime, the lifespan automatically clocks up to +12 months.

Can I purchase the sim card and have it sent to me in the US, activate and install in the phone I purchase and then ship it to Italy?

Yes, you can send them together in the same package, but do not insert the sim into the phone

Are there any restrictions on shipping cell phones from the US to Italy?

No, if there is no sim inside. Do not send the phone with the sim inside. Otherwise there are no restrictions.

Is there airtime credit on the sim when I buy it?

Yes, €5 (approx. $7 USD)

Can I buy Airtime vouchers?

Yes, at all Tabacchi chops, these shops are marked with a white in a black rectangle like this and sell tobacco, etc. and phone credit.

Are incoming calls free?

Yes, incoming calls are all free.

Can I send an SMS to the US, China, Australia?

Yes, you can send text messages to any mobile phone in the world.

Can I get call waiting?

Yes, that depends on your phone, if you can activate it in settings on your cell phone.

Is there a contract, monthly fees or credit check?

No, there are no extra costs.

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INSTRUCTIONS

ACTIVATING YOUR SERVICE

This service requires registration before you travel.
It is very easy to activate your new service. Just follow the instructions below and you’ll be ready to call once you reach your destination:

1. Break out the SIM Card from the plastic card
2. Then insert this SIM Card in your phone.
3. Make sure your phone battery has been charged
4. Switch your phone on
5. Enter the PIN Code (if required)
6. To activate your SIM you have to make 1 outgoing toll call (local or international) at home or once you arrive in Italy

Your Italy SIM card will provide you with an Italy cellular phone number, which can be found on the back of your SIM card inside your SIM card package. The number will start with 33 or 36.

NOTE: To change your voice prompts for 4916 to English, follow these instructions once you arrive in Italy: - Send a text message 'Lingua Ing' (without quotation marks) to 4916 Next time you dial 4916 your voice prompts will be in English.

HOW TO RECHARGE (ADD AIR TIME)

To recharge your Italy service, please follow the instructions below:

• Scratch off the protective layer to reveal your recharge voucher code
• Dial 4916 from your mobile phone
• Press 4 to recharge
• Press 1 to select the RICARICard recharge option
• Enter your 16-digit code when prompted
• The number will be repeated back to you
• Press 8 to confirm

MAKING INTERNATIONAL CALLS

To make an international call, simply enter all numbers starting with the ‘+’, followed by the country code (1 for the US/Canada), area code and phone number. For example, to call (123) 456-7890 you would dial +11234567890.

RECEIVING CALLS

Family & friends need to dial the international direct dialing prefix for the country they are calling from followed by your new number. For example, from the US/Canada they should dial 011, 39 (Italy) and your new number.

BALANCE

To check your balance, please:
- Dial 4916 from your mobile phone
OR
- Select ‘credito’ within the ‘servizi’ item in the menu of your mobile phone

CUSTOMER SERVICE

TIM also provide Customer service for your Italy SIM card 24/7. Just call 1860 from your mobile phone. Select option 2 for English.

VOICEMAIL

To change your voicemail language to English, please:
- Dial 4919 from your mobile phone
- Press 6 and then 2
To access your voicemail, please
- Dial 4919 from your mobile phone

SERVICE EXPIRATION

Each recharge extends the validity of the SIM card for 12 months from the date of the recharge, plus one month in which you may only receive calls. If you do not recharge your SIM card within that period, the SIM card and accompanying phone number will expire and any remaining airtime will be forfeit. If you wish to continue using your Italy service, you will need to purchase another SIM card.
NOTE: Incoming calls are NOT allowed in the Vatican.

ATTENTION: ITALY Subscribers

Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM) has recently required that all subscribers now provide a LEGIBLE copy of their passport (we need to be able read the details, including passport number usually found on the first page) in order to register and activate your SIM card. Passport information may be provided via: Preferred: E-Mail: sales@italy101.com (Please put your new sim # in the subject field with the scanned attachment of your passport). A scanned image is preferred because the image is ALWAYS clear.

Please save your scanned passport in .jpeg file compressed!!!

Important: Your e-mail / fax must include:

1. Italy Cell Phone number (beginning with a 3… in the subject field of e-mail)
2. Address (Residential or Permanent)
3. Signed declaration (page 4) (see pages 5 & 6 for details)

PLEASE SEND ALL YOUR REGISTRATIONS IN 1 EMAIL…UP TO 3 PER EMAIL!!!

Failure to provide the above information will result in a failure of service when you arrive in Italy. You may also register at a local TIM shop in Italy.
Registration takes up to 72 hours (3-business days) but 24hr is customary. We do not send automatic registration confirmations. We will contact you if there is a problem with the registration (i.e. illegible passport, missing information, etc.)

I would like to purchase a quad band cell phone, does it work in Italy?

Yes, An international cell phone is classified as a GSM mobile phone that operates on the GSM 900 and GSM 1800 frequency. An international cell phone with the TIM sim card, will provide coverage in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific Rim including Australia. A world cell phone with the GSM 1900 frequency will expand coverage to include the United States, Canada and a growing part of South America.

iPhone / smart-phone users

Smartphone / iPhone users can access data by creating a new APN. You will find it in your phone's “network settings”.

The settings are:

• TIM (Italy)
• Gateway IP: 213.26.205.1
• Port: 9201
• APN: wap.tim.it

To continue getting email on to your phone you won't need to change your incoming mail settings but to send an e-mail you will have to change your mail outgoing mail server settings to TIM as below.

• mail.posta.tim.it