Ensure that the cell phone you want to bring to Italy is a GSM phone—which is global cellular technology used by most of the world—and is unlocked—meaning that the provider you got the phone from does not have a restriction on that phone being used with other providers. [1] X Research source AT&T and T-Mobile carry GSM phones which are typically unlocked. [2] X Research source Look for a phone provider that carries a SIM card that will fit in your phone. Most cell phones have a standard SIM card size, but iPhones and other newer smartphones use special micro or nano SIM card sizes. [3] X Research source You can set up an international calling plan through your current U. S. phone carrier, but note that these plans are typically very expensive. Whether you choose an international call plan or the SIM card route, make sure to call your provider to change or suspend your service, or ask any other questions, before embarking on your trip.
Check the pricing on the plan to make sure you know what the rates are for international calls. Check the data usage rates on a smartphone if you plan to use it for internet calling apps.
You can use a calling card for a cell phone, but you should note that you may also be charged for minutes on the call from the cell phone provider as well. Or, you can use the cell phone without a card to pay the international call rates from your provider. Check with the cell phone provider and the details of your phone plan to confirm charges. Note that public phones are an increasing rarity, or are out of order when you do come across them, as Italy has one of the highest rates in the world for cell phones per capita. [6] X Research source
Note that these plans can be limited or have different charges based on what calling zone you are placing a call to. The United States is in the same zone (Zone 1) as Italy and other countries in the EU, so rates and plans should be less expensive than calling to other zones. If you’re not using an international calling plan, the regular landline charges are higher for calling a mobile phone than another landline, but charges do not change based on time of day. [7] X Research source
If you’re calling from a cell phone, whether it’s an Italian or American cell phone, you can press the “+” sign on the keypad instead of 00.
If the phone number you wish to dial is listed online, in a directory, or spoken to you including the number 1 before the area code and next seven digits, you don’t need to dial the “1” more than once. For example, you would dial 00-1-(###)-###-####, not 00-1-1-(###)-###-####.
A U. S. area code is always a three-digit number, and is often listed in parentheses before the following seven digits of the phone number, like so: (###)-###-####. A U. S. toll-free number (one without charges to call) replaces the area code with one of the following codes: 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844. [9] X Trustworthy Source Federal Communications Commission Independent U. S. government agency responsible for regulating radio, television, and satellite, and phone communications Go to source However, toll-free numbers will not be free when calling from outside the U. S. , and in fact may not work at all when dialed. Instead, call a company’s alternative, standard phone number. [10] X Research source
A U. S. area code is always a three-digit number, and is often listed in parentheses before the following seven digits of the phone number, like so: (###)-###-####. A U. S. toll-free number (one without charges to call) replaces the area code with one of the following codes: 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844. [9] X Trustworthy Source Federal Communications Commission Independent U. S. government agency responsible for regulating radio, television, and satellite, and phone communications Go to source However, toll-free numbers will not be free when calling from outside the U. S. , and in fact may not work at all when dialed. Instead, call a company’s alternative, standard phone number. [10] X Research source
All U. S. phone numbers contain ten digits total, with three for the area code plus the remaining seven digits, like so: (###)-###-####. Note that you should not include any special characters like “#,” “-,” “(,” or “)” even though they may appear in these examples or wherever the number you are trying to dial is listed.
Make sure you are connected to a computer or phone with high-speed internet when you make calls from Skype, as quality audio and especially video are dependent on a good connection. Note that if you use a Skype app on a mobile phone that is not connected to WiFi, you will incur data charges. Check with your phone or SIM card provider on these charges, or purchase a plan with unlimited or a large amount of data if you will be using phone apps frequently without an internet connection.
These services can be used on the computer or through free apps for your mobile phone. Remember that if your phone is not connected to the internet, you will incur data charges for audio and video calls.
It’s a good idea to be prepared with a reliable microphone and pair of headphones for making your calls from Italy. These are particularly important if you are using an older computer that doesn’t have a microphone or speakers built in, or you want to be able to make calls from a cell phone hands-free.
