I will be going to Italy in late April, and I was wondering if anyone knows whether it's possible to get an italian cell phone (with a local italian number) before I go there.

The reason I am asking is that I need a local number I can put on my resume prior to departure from the US, so I can apply for jobs as soon as possible.

I prefer to get a cell phone that you pay for the minutes you use, not one that has monthly fees.

Thanks

Marcello!

There is a company wich contacted us offering their cell phone services for travellers to Italy -
I will check it out Monday -
The worse case scenario would be for me to pick up one when I go to Italy next week and ship it to you - Since you have been an active member on the forum I could do that. Tim / Vodaphone / ...what provider ?

Paolo

FWIW... www.mobal.com offers a phone for the right price ($49 or $99), only charges for minutes used, and gives you a permanent international number. Downside- its a number based in England.
You might want to check it out.

Thank you for your offer, Paolo. You are very kind. Let me know what you find out.

I just realized however that I need to talk to my own cell phone carrier in US first to see if can use the phone I have and just buy a SIM card.

If anyone knows of any good (cheap) carriers in Italy, please let me know. I don't know if this matters, but I will be in Bologna.

Usually to have an italian mobile... contract or pay as you go you need to be registered somehow...

I suggest you to by the skype mobile so wherever you are in the word you have a mobile number and anyone can call you easly....

www.skype.com

hi marcello

to get an italian mobile number, whether pre-paid or post paid(monthly payment and comes with the bill), you have to have Codice fiscale, then you can apply for an italian no..

my suggestions, use the US no 1st, then when you get your codice fiscale, then buy just buy your sim card.

yes, here you can buy just sim card, my phone was a nokia bought in malaysia, and i just buy the sim card..

i think in bologna, you'll have lots of call center as well as places to buy sim cards as its a university town..

ciao ciao