Prepaid SIM Cards for International Travelers
Travelling to Italy? Save money on call charges while abroad
with your own Italian SIM card. Get your own Italian telephone
number and receive calls and texts from home for free, no
contract, no hidden charges!
Rent a Phone
As low as $18/week
Renting a phone for Italy is the perfect choice for casual travelers, as there's no obligation to keep the service active when you return. Cellular Abroad offers deluxe and standard phone models for rent.
Purchase a Phone
Starting at $129
Buying a phone is a great way to stay in touch when you're traveling. This is the ideal solution for frequent travelers. This phone package offers everything you need for your trip to Italy.
SIM Card Only
Starting at $19 to rent
Already have an international phone but want to take advantage of our inexpensive rates and great coverage? Cellular Abroad has made it simpler - you can rent or buy a SIM Card at great rates.
FIND OUT MORE...
Customer Support
We're here to help
info@cellularabroad.com
Order Line: 1-800-287-5072
SPECIAL OFFER:
Save 10% on all orders with discount code "Italy101"
Benefits of Italy101 SIM Card
A local Italian phone number
Unlimited FREE incoming calls in Italy
Your choice of unlocked GSM handset or rental phone
Outgoing local calls only $0.22 per minute
Outgoing international calls and SMS only $0.44 per minute
Free incoming SMS text messages
Includes initial talk time - Start making calls instantly!
No contract or bills
Customer support and credit available direct from the handset
Includes voice mail, text messaging, and more
SPECIAL OFFER: Save $10 with discount code "Italy101"
Further information
Activation
Snap out the SIM chip from the SIM card and insert the chip into your GSM Phone with the metal portion facing down as to make contact with the contact prongs.
- Make sure the phone is charged and the menu settings are in English.
- Default PIN number is 1111
How to Add Credit to your Prepaid Account
You may add talk time, while in Italy, simply by entering the 10-digit code on to your handset as per our instructions. Please note that as a convenience to our customers, all menus are in English.
To Order by Phone:
You can purchase additional recharge codes via phone whenever you need to add more call credits to your prepaid account. No need to ship you a card! Just call Cellular Abroad at 00-1-310-862-7100 and we can sell you as many recharge codes as you need. You may also dial toll-free from a landline 00-80036233333. We are open seven days a week. With your credit card on file and by correctly identifying yourself, we can process your order very quickly. With the extra code(s), you'll be able to add more minutes from anywhere in Italy at any time.
Save time by starting your stay in the Italy with an additional €10 of talk time. Each one of these recharges give you about 65 minutes making Italian calls, or 32 minutes outgoing calls to the US. Receiving calls are always free.
Purchasing More Talk Time
- The most convenient way is by calling Cellular Abroad 001 310-862-7100 (7 days/week, English speaking reps) during your trip. A $24 voucher will get you 65 min. within Italy, or 32 min. international. You may also call Cellular Abroad, 7 days/week, TOLL FREE from an Italian landine to order additional talk time by dialing 00-800-362-33333.
- While in Italy, you can find vouchers in Carrefour, GB stores, Lottomatica (bars and cafes) and in the Sisal shops. For specific locations, please visit: http://www.lottomatica.it/servizi/ricariche/telefonia_mobile.html
Adding More Talk Time
- Dial *5002#rechargecode# then send. Example *5002#1234567890# send.
Alternatively, you can try this:
- Dial 401002.
- Following prompts enter your 10 – digit recharge code.
Calling Rates
These rates are expressed in US dollars and are based on per-minute charges. Remember, all incoming calls are free regardless of origin.
| Calls to any cell phone or Italy landline | International calls (US, Canada, Europe, etc.) |
| €0.18 (approx. $.22 US) /minute | €0.35 (approx. $.44 US) /minute |
Calls are billed every second after the first minute.
Text Message Rates
Incoming – Free
| Outgoing Domestic | Outgoing International |
| €0.12 (approx. $.16 US) message | €0.35 (approx. $.44 US) /message |
Roaming
While the Vodafone Uno Mobile SIM card does roam outside of Italy, please be aware that the rates are significantly different. Still, for short excursions outside of Italy, particularly in Europe, using the Uno Mobile SIM card may still make sense.Roaming Rates:
Calls in Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Norway, Holland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland are 0.23 Euros to receive from anywhere, including the USA and Canada and 0.49 to call within these countries or back to Italy per minute. Calls to Canada and the USA are 1.50 Euros per minute. For free incoming calls, please consider the National Geographic Travel SIM.
Voicemail Rates
Free unlimited calls to check your messages!
Checking your voicemail is a free call. You must call 401002 and press 7 to activate this service.
- Dial 401003.
- Default PIN is 1111.
- Follow prompts to check your messages.
Service Life
Your Italian SIM card is good for one year. Each recharge extends the life of your SIM card for one year from the date of the recharge. If one year lapses then your SIM card and phone number will expire.
To inquire about the possibility of extending your SIM card’s service life while outside the SIM card’s country of origin, contact the telecom provider’s customer service, Cellular Abroad does not provide support for this feature.
Cellular Coverage in Italy:
Cellular service in Italy is exceptional. Here's a list of only a few of the major cities and regions that our service covers: Rome, Bologna, Catania, Florence, Genova, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Pisa, Trieste, Turin, Venice, Verona and Sicily.
Customer Service
Cellular Network or Service issues:
- From your handset – Dial 401001.
- From a landline – Dial 00-80036233333. This will direct your call to Cellular Abroad (open 7 days/week).
Cellular hardware issues:
- From an international number – 001 310 862 7100(8am to 4pm PST, Monday through Saturday, English speaking reps) or email us at support@cellularabroad.com. You may also dial toll-free 00-800 36 233 333 from most Italian lines.
Italy SIM card FAQs
What is a PIN/PUK code?
The PIN code is a security code to prevent unwanted users from accessing and making calls with your cell phone. The default code is 1111. Cellular Abroad usually disables the PIN for rentals and phone purchases but for Italy SIM only purchases, we do not (as not to disrupt the packaging). Therefore, for SIM only purchases, you will be prompted for the PIN. This feature can be disabled or you can change the PIN to another code. Be sure not to enter the code on to your handset erroneously as the third wrong attempt will block the SIM. To unblock it requires getting the PUK (phone unlock key) from Uno Mobile. This requires contacting Uno Mobile directly and there is usually a 48 hour turn around time. Our recommendation, don't let this occur in the first place!
Can I keep my US phone number?
You cannot retain your current US phone number. Every SIM card has a unique phone number associated with it. Your Italian SIM card will come with an Italian cell phone number.
What area code does my Italy SIM have?
Unlike North America, most countries do not associate cities to phone numbers. Phone numbers have their own unique area codes that differentiate them from land lines. Therefore, there is no such thing as a Rome or Milan based cell phone number.
Is the SIM card in English?
All the menu prompts (voicemail, checking/adding your credit) are in English by default. If for any reason you need to change your default language into Italian, this is possible simply by following the prompts.
How do I add call time?
The easiest and quickest way to add talk time is to call Cellular Abroad 7 days/week. They will give you a pin code or codes for you to enter onto the handset. This will give you immediate talk time. You may also purchase talk time locally in Italy by going to a tabacchi.
Is there voicemail?
Yes, there is voicemail and the prompts are in English.
Can I send emails?
At this time, you cannot send emails. You can, however, send and receive text messages.
Is there GPRS?
There is no GPRS available as of this time.
Can I roam outside of Italy?
You can roam outside of Italy but the rates differ from using the service within Italy. Cellular Abroad does not sell this product for use outside of Italy and, while we cannot guarantee the services, since it is covered by the Vodafone network, quality and coverage is excellent outside of Italy as well.
How much are phone calls?
Phone calls are free to receive and are 0.18 Euros to call within Italy and 0.35 to call outside of Italy.
Can I use my US/Canada phone?
If your phone is unlocked and a GSM phone with the 900 and 1800 bands, you will be able to use your phone. Simply purchase an Italian SIM card and insert it in your phone. Chances are, your handset also has a multi voltage power supply. You will, however, need a plug adapter for the outlet.
How good is the coverage?
Uno Mobile coverage is excellent. They run on the Vodafone network, which covers the vast majority of the country, including, of course, Sicily and Sardinia. Please note that there is no such thing as 100% coverage. Even in the center of Rome you may not always get coverage, particularly if you are indoors where the walls are thick. If you are staying in a remote location, say for example, a villa in Tuscany or Sicily, ask the agent or owner if there is coverage through the Vodafone network in that precise location.
What happens if I run out of credit?
If you run out of call credit, you can still receive calls (while in Italy) since all incoming calls are free. You can call Cellular Abroad 7 days/week to get more talk time. We also have an Italian toll free number that works from most landlines (some hotels will charge you even for toll free calls and toll free numbers usually do not work from Italian payphones). Please note that you can check your credit at any time from the handset and your phone will alert you before you make any call when there is less than 3 Euros on your balance.




