Coverage: the most important aspect of a travel SIM card
There are countless things to do in Italy, from Gondola rides in Venice to the Greek theatre in Siracusa. You’re going to be zipping around the country if you want to see it all, and you’ll need to make sure your SIM card is going to give you good coverage in all Italian cities. The last thing you want is roaming charges or spotty service to put a blight on your travels.
When it comes to travel SIM cards, you’ve got two basic options. You can purchase a card from an Italian service provider, or you can go through a global SIM company.
Italian SIM cards
Italy has a wide variety of telecom companies, most of which will sell you a SIM card so long as you can provide a valid passport. For a country that is more than half mountain, the coverage in Italy is surprisingly good on major networks.
It’s wise to stick with one of the larger Italian networks if you choose to go with a local SIM card purchase because the smaller Italian mobile companies will offer you inferior coverage with no significant cost savings.
TIM
This is Italy’s largest mobile provider. SIM cards from TIM are going to offer you the best coverage of any Italian network, and prepaid data for them can be purchased in stores all over the country. You do have to check their phone requirements carefully, though, as some of the cards are very specific in their compatibility. You may need to buy an international phone to go with the SIM card.
Vodafone
Second in size only to TIM, Vodafone is another major Italian mobile provider. Their internet speeds are generally a little quicker than TIM and they offer good coverage. They sell a wide variety of packages, but it can be difficult to find other retailers that offer their prepaid data, so be sure to buy as much as you’re going to need to cover your entire trip.
3 (Tre)
3 is Italy’s smallest provider, but once it fully merges with Wind, it will become the largest operator in the country. Internet speeds are fast and the network coverage is good. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores for 10€, but plans will have to be added for them to work. Credit can be purchased from most places in Italy, including supermarkets, small stores, service stations and post offices.
Is purchasing a travel SIM card in Italy cheaper?
Price-wise, Vodafone or TIM cards can save you money if you plan to stay in Italy for an extended period of time, as a temporary business transfer. For anyone on a shorter timetable, the cost savings tends to be marginal at best.
One thing to keep in mind with all Italian SIM cards is that you’ll be buying them in Italy after you arrive. If you’ve got worried friends or family back home who don’t want you leaving without knowing your new Italian phone number, then you might want to go with a global SIM card, which can be set up before you leave. And don’t forget that an Italian SIM card will prompt you to set it up in Italian, so be sure to have your pocket dictionary ready.
Global SIM Cards
Italy is a hot travel destination. It’s rich in history and culture, and even the longest vacation might not be enough to see it all. Sometimes you just have to return for another go. If you think a repeat visit to Italy is in your future, or if you’re going to be travelling abroad anywhere else, then you might want to invest in a global SIM card. They’re not much more expensive, and they give you access to data all around the globe, rather than just one specific country. Global SIM cards, also called international SIM cards, are the popular choice for those infected with wanderlust.
Another benefit to a global SIM card is that you can manage your account online (and in English!). So if you need to top off your data, you can do so anytime and from anywhere with an internet connection.
An International SIM card company like BNESIM can hook you up with a SIM card that’s going to work brilliantly for you all over the world. (For example, BNESIM cards work in 170 different countries.) These SIM cards can be recharged and reused again and again. You’ll be able to answer international calls without incurring large charges.
And best of all, with a good quality global SIM card, roaming charges aren’t a thing that exists, so you can hop from Bolzano to Tropea without a care in the world.
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