Directory A–Z - Italy - page 1876

As elsewhere in Europe, Italians choose from a host of providers of phone plans and rates, making it diffi-
cult to make generalisations about costs.
International Calls
» The cheapest options for calling internationally are free or low-cost computer programs/smartphone apps
such as Skype and Viber.
» Cut-rate call centres, found in all of the main cities, are also a cheaper option. You simply place your call
from a private booth inside the centre and pay for it when you've finished.
» International calling cards, sold at newsstands and tobacconists, also offer cheaper call rates. They can be
used at public telephones. Dial 00 to get out of Italy, then the relevant country and area codes, followed by
the telephone number.
» To call Italy from abroad, call your international access number, then Italy's country code (39) and then
the area code of the location you want, including the leading 0.
Mobile Phones
» Italy uses GSM 900/1800, compatible with the rest of Europe and Australia but not with North American
GSM 1900 or the totally different Japanese system.
» Most modern smart phones are multiband, meaning that they are compatible with a variety of internation-
al networks. Before bringing your own phone to Italy, check with your service provider to make sure it is
compatible, and beware of calls being routed internationally (very expensive for a 'local' call).
» Unlocking your phone for use with an Italian SIM card is often the cheapest option, but always check with
your home mobile-service provider to ascertain whether your handset allows use of another SIM card.
» You can get a temporary or prepaid account from most phone company stores in Italy if you already own a
GSM, multiband cellular phone (take your passport). Activating a local prepaid SIM card can cost as little
as €10 (sometimes with €10 worth of calls on the card). Pay-as-you-go SIM cards are also readily available
at telephone and electronics stores throughout Italy.
» You can easily top up your Italian account with recharge cards (ricariche), available from most tobaccon-
ists, some bars, supermarkets and banks.
» Another option is to buy or lease an inexpensive Italian phone for the duration of your trip.
» Of the main mobile phone companies, TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile), Wind and Vodafone have the best
networks of outlets across the country.
Payphones & Phonecards
» Telecom Italia is the largest communications organisation in Italy. Telecom payphones are commonly
found on streets, in train stations and in Telecom offices.