You need a data access plan on your Italian SIM card. Larry explains the different options available with TIM. Then you need to configure your computer to connect to the interent using the cell phone as a modem (a bit tricky, but once it is set up you don't have to do this again).
We used our BlackBerry with its data plan on T-Mobile (set up for unlimited internation roaming) as a modem for our computers on our recnet trip. It worked well.
We also used a local SIM card in England once, but it did not have a data plan, so the connection was slow-slow-slow. But in an emergency, it was fine. The best to do is as Larry describes in this article - get a local SIM card with a data access plan.
I'm currently in Venice and connected to the www via using my mobile phone as a modem! And it works beautifully.
Here's a just a couple of noted to add to Larry's excellent report.
We opted for the 9gb TIM plan as it was likely (and has proved to be correct) that we'd need more than 500mb.
I did quite a lot of research on the system before we arrived in Venice - on what sort of phone would work, the best connection (USB cable) and best way to connect. In the end I invested in a program which you download called Launch2net which cost 75euros, but it automatically configures your computer & connection so you don't have to worry about putting in the right info (this was all going to be a bit beyond me and as we're here for 3 months and the internet HAD TO work it seemed like a worthwhile investment!). Their web site (www.novamedia.de) also gives lots of advice on different phones, connection speeds etc.
The nice people at the TIM store in Venice activated the SIM for me - so once I'd bought the SIM card & plan all I had to do was plug the phone in, launch my launch2net and away I went - internet, skype, email (see below) - all worked perfectly apart from the two small issues below.
1. Using your phone as a modem chews through the battery (and this is a brand new phone), so I always run it with the charger plugged in.
2. Emails. If you want to be able to send your emails direct (rather than via webmail) you need to change your mailbox set up. You need to amend your SMTP address to mail.posta.tim.it. If that address doesn't work go to the TIM site and do a search on SMTP. It appears that TIM have changed their SMTP address from some of the info I'd found on the web, so it may be that this changes occassionally.
All in all it's been a terrific system - and worked really really well.
Posts: 192 | Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Registered: 08 May 2003
I am just checking out the USB modems. I have a MAC, so will take a little more research!
Another way to connect is via Bluetooth, if both your cell phone and your computer have that built in. That's what we did with our Treo cell phone and Mac in Italy.
By the way, if I remember correctly maryk is using a Mac for her connection.
I am using a Mac - and while it made the researching a bit more tedious it's been a breeze to use!
My problem with getting a USB modem was that you currently can't buy one in Australia without going onto a 12 month dataplan - and they wouldn't guarantee that I could use a TIM sim in them. That's why I went down the phone as modem route. I would have preferred a USB modem. I know that Vodaphone have one and if you live in italy it may be better to look into theirs. I'm just not sure of their dataplan costs.
I'm using a Nokia 6120 classic - which has a usb port. If you look on the launch2net site they give you a list of sutiable phones as well as info on which have USB ports, modem speeds etc.
Posts: 192 | Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Registered: 08 May 2003
Slow Travel Talk 
