(also posted on Expats in Italy)

I think I have it all figured out, but want to double-check just in case.

I'm going to stay in Amalfi for two weeks this summer and have no internet access in the apartment.

Am I right in thinking that if I bring my laptop and my cellphone, both of which have a bluetooth connection, all I have to do is buy a prepaid SIM-card (where? tabaccheria? somewhere else?), insert it into my phone, and then I can use my cellphone as a dial-up modem to get internet on my laptop. Is it that easy?

I guess I'd have to create an account on beforehand with a free internet provider such as Libero or TIM. Right?

It is my experience that you cannot find SIM cards at Tabacchi. You will have to go to a place that sells celluar phones. Obviously, TIM, Vodafone, Wind Stores will have them. I see from www.prepaidgsm.net the COOP food markets are now a virtual operator so you might be able to buy a COOP SIM (they operate on the TIM network). Perhaps a large post office would now have the POSTE Mobile card which use the Vodafone network. Carrefour is also a virtual operator and uses the Vodafone network.

I looked and asked all over Stresa for a place to buy a SIM and had no success. I had to drive to Gravelona (~ 10 miles) to the Vodafone store. When I was in Pitigliano, I was able to buy a SIM at an appliance store that also sold cell phones and SIM cards.

Vodafone and TIM both have stores at Fiumicino airport. They are located in Terminal A on the mezzanine above the check-in counters near security screening.

Also the websites for the celluar providers have store locators....at least TIM and Vodafone do.

Bill

Assuming TIM and the Maxi TIM recharge 25 Euro program.

1) Get a TIM Sim and put at least 30 Euros on the phone. I think 28 is the actual min but 30 is safe.

2) Activate the service by phoning 4916 and following the prompts. Depending on your Italian it might be easier if you switch the prompts to English. Or I guess I could check what they are.

3) Set your computer to use dialup. Phone number is:

*99***1#

No username or password.

Hit dial. But make sure you've done #2 first.

That's basically it.

I forget how fast bluetooth is. If the area you're in is up to the top speed bluetooth might slow you down over a cable connected modem. But it saves you buying a new phone.

Thank you so much!

Annika,
You might also find these earlier posts useful.

Oh, I missed that thread. Thank you!