Does anyone know an alternate (E-Bay, Tellestial) way to get a TIM SIM without waiting until arrival in Italy.

I prefer TIM for access in remote areas but will consider others if reasonably priced.

I need it the first week of August for a month.

I think the people at www.prepaidgsm.net can get you one in advance. You can email them at info@prepaidgsm.net and see if it is possible.

There are also TIM SIM Cards for sale Here on EBAY. If you get one of these, I'd be interested to know how the issue of the Codice Fiscale is handled. You should ask the seller before you commit to buying one on Ebay.

Bill

I will look into PrepaidGSM. Last time I looked, they did not offer TIM.
As for E-Bay, I need this delivered to my door within a few weeks. I do not think that will happen thru them.

thanks

Telestial says they sell TIM cards. But someone just posted on the Italy board that their TIM card from Telestial did not work until they went to a TIM store and registered it.

I have a CD from the PrepaidGSM site link. I don't know if Telestial can register my SIM this way?? I want to have my service before I land.

Grazie

I don't know any of the details except what someone wrote here. Apparently Telestial said the card should have been registered and should have worked but it didn't.

I spoke with Telestial and they do not sale a TIM SIM but only the Global SIM (which supposedly works in Italy) no good for me I am back to looking at E-Bay for someone who can deliver a TIM SIM, Wind SIM, or Tre before my trip.

Wish me Luck!!

quote:

I spoke with Telestial and they do not sale a TIM SIM but only the Global SIM (which supposedly works in Italy)

Interesting, because their web site clearly says they sell the TIM SIM card. Look at this page. So it appears that the website has wrong information.

I have a suspicion that it may be very difficult to get a TIM card registered before you arrive because of all the recent security restrictions that have been passed in Italy.

If you really want a card that you can put in a phone and have it work in Italy when you arrive, you might look into United Mobile. The calls are more expensive within Italy than TIM, but it's good for calls in lots of different countries. And it can use any of the mobile networks in Italy -- TIM, Vodafone, or WIND. The card is registered in Liechtenstein, so does not have to be registered with TIM. Or go ahead and buy the Telestial Global card, which is similar, but apparently a bit mor expensive.

You could always swap it out for a TIM card after you arrive if you find you are making a lot of calls and want to do it more cheaply.

- Roz

If you don't need to know the phone number before you arrive, AND you are flying into Rome FCO, you can go to the Vodafone store in Terminal A and get set up with a Vodafone SIM.

I have used Vodafone on my last two trips and have no complaints about the coverage. We have traveled in Lombardy, Piemonte, Liguria, Toscano, Le Marche, Umbria, Lazio, Campania, and Abruzzo and had good coverage except in some mountainous areas.

Bill

HI,
I purchased a TIM SIM from Tellestial in February. When it arrived there was info on how to get the Codice Fiscale on line so it could be pre registered. we did that and it was fine.
I was also told that now you can only purchase top up minutes at the Vodifone in Terminal A.
It seems that all the terrorism threats have led to new policies for the purchase of SIM cards in Europe.
You need to go to a Vodafone store or a TIM store if you wish to purchase a SIM card. top up minutes can be gotten at tobacs and other sites but not the initial SIM card itself.
Martha

Thanks for all the great info!

I have been away from the PC in the last few days as you can see

I think Telestial has gone downhill. I had good experiences with them in the past but this year bought a SIM for my son's trip and it simply didn't work. I've also seen more complaints about them than in past years. My theory is that they have some old stock on hand such that some of the SIMs they sell are no longer valid.

Others have had good experience, but if you're dealing with Telestial there is some risk and you should have a backup plan.