Back view of young African American man talking on mobile phone outdoors (samuelperales (123RF))
Upon arrival, setting up your cell phone is extremely helpful. There are a variety of options in Italy and plans tend to be very affordable. Until you’ve setup service, be sure to put your phone in airplane made to avoid unexpected charges.
Wi-Fi Communication
When you first arrive, it is helpful to use one of these popular texting apps that are free to use over Wi-Fi.
• Facetime
• Signal
• Facebook Messenger
• Skype
Italian Providers
Most people prefer using either a pay-as-you-go service or pre-paid plan with a local provider in Italy. Both allow you to purchase a European SIM card that includes a large amount of data to use within a single month. You can then set up automatic monthly payments with a web account, or add data as needed online, and at grocery and convenience stores.
· Common providers: Vodafone, Tim, WindTre, Ho, Iliad, Kena, VeryMobile.
U.S. Number
Some U.S. providers offer international rates that you can add onto your current plan. This option allows you to keep your U.S. phone number but may require occasional verifications to ensure you can receive messages.
