Cell Phone in Italy

Italy is one of Europe's most complex and alluring destinations, a modern, industrialized nation, with an artistic and architectural legacy that few other countries can rival. It may be tempting to cut ties while wandering under the Tuscan sun, but contact is often part of that journey - either to keep those ties back home warm, or only for safety's sake.

If you are travelling to Italy and want to use your current cell phone, you most likely will be unable to do so, as most Italian cell phones carriers use the GSM 900/1800 MHz platform for cellular service. Unlike in the US, where the two GSM carriers (T-Mobile and AT&T) use 850/1900 MHz frequencies. Therefore, even if your US based cell phone operates uses GSM standard, unless it has the 900 or 1800 frequencies, it will not work in Italy.

What if your US phone does work overseas? Some of the new US cell phones on the market do function internationally, including in Italy. However, be aware that you will be roaming at approximately $1.50 per minute (plus tax), and you will be paying for both outgoing and incoming calls.

So how does one stay connected affordably while traveling to Italy?

As they say “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”.

The easiest & most economical approach is to rent or purchase a phone or just the SIM Card before you depart. That way, you have the phone ready to use as soon as you land and you will have the phone number before you leave as well to give out to your contacts.

RebelFone (www.RebelFone.com) a company based out of Florida, USA has a new service that is specifically designed for travelers going to Italy who need to call back to the US or make local calls in Italy. Besides the unlimited free incoming calls, calls from Italy to North America are only US$0.45 per minute.

RebelFone has exclusive arrangements with local Italian cell phone carriers, through this partnership RebelFone can facilitate local post-paid Italian cell phone service for just US$4.99, you have the option to use the service with your own un-locked international cell phone or if you don’t have one you can Italy cell phone at just $1 a day or you may even buy one if you are travel frequently.

RebelFone’s offerings come without any contract term and services. Furthermore, they offer a 24/7 customer service, where it is easy and convenient to reach them.

How does RebelFone’s service compare with others?

Though it is clear by now that savings are huge as compared to using your US phone on international roaming in Italy, let’s see how does RebelFone’s service compares to local pre-paid Italy sim card.

It would certainly be more convenient to connect from your apartment or hotel, if they have good phones, and reasonable charges for International calls. But that's rarely the case, especially the reasonable charges part. Many hotels charge 4 to 5 times the normal rate for phone calls, an alternative is to get a pay as you go sim while in Italy. Getting this SIM will require a visit to a local grocer and cost about €10, it includes €3 credit and it will cost you €0.50 per min to call US using this SIM, i.e. approximately twice as expensive as RebelFone’s service and don’t forget the risk of running out of credit while traveling!