10475 SIMM Cards Pay as You Go

Hi,

I have just got a PUK code for my T Mobile Contract Phone in the UK so I can buy a PAYG simm card in Italy - but it's just occured to me - Do you need to be a resident? Or will a ENEL Bill with your Italian address be OK (Thinking of Anti -Terrorism laws and all that?)

Sorry can't find anything relevant on other threads.

Category
Cost of living - Utility Services

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/22/2008 - 11:36

Hi Jinty
I ahve seen people buying pay as you go over the counter without having to show ID etc, so you should be OK, if you need a contract with Tim etc you do need to show your codice ....

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/22/2008 - 11:45

AFAIK, you'll need a codice fiscale even for a PAYG SIM - unless they've changed things since about 18 months ago? But, If you haven't yet got a C.F., there are internet sites that will generate one for you given your details - and that would work fine for obtaining a PAYG sim card.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/22/2008 - 12:41

I have a CF (had to have one to buy the house!) so I'll make sure I bring it.

So excited.....proper pizza, pesto, wine...... fixing the bathroom sink because the mirror fell off the wall and smashed it - oh the joy!!

Cheers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/22/2008 - 14:02

I've had a TIM SIM without residency or codice fiscale, but had to leave a photocopy of my passport with the dealer. Which sounds disctinctly unofficial, but there you go.

Once back in the UK, I wasn't able to recharge on line to keep it alive. I registered, but the system wouldn't accept my credit card. So, effectively, they stole the remaining €20 on it when it expired due to lack of use. :sad:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/22/2008 - 14:48

Thanks I'll just do minimum topups then...

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/22/2008 - 14:55

There used to be a small print clause that required either a callto be made or a top up to be done every 6 months to prevent the mobile number being 'expired' with any remaining credit lost - but that has (I think) now been made illegal. I'm not sure whether it applies retrospectively, but It's certainly the case for new SIM purchases.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/22/2008 - 15:27

I bought a new mobile phone and Simm card a month ago, had to show CF and photocopy of Residency, I quess Passport will do along with CF.
Just as an aside, Italian phones are not locked so you can use any Simm card, including UK ones.
As far as top-ups most companies have an agreement with a provider in another country, here in Italy you can top up O2 using a Wind scratch card.

Stribs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/23/2008 - 21:09

Don't know if anyone is aware of this but I have just taken out a new contract with '3' because they told me I can use my contracted minutes to call the UK from Italy.
I visit calabria every 6 weeks and for £15 a month I can call any UK mobile or landline (300 minutes) and anyone who is on the 3 network (1300 minutes)

Much cheaper than using my TIM SIM or other UK mobile etc!

P.S. network coverage is excellent.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/28/2008 - 09:34

I bought a TIM prepagato two weeks ago from the Media World store in Collestrada (PG) - they required ID but not my CF (even though I had it with me) - they photocopied the main page of my passport together with the back of the envelope containing the SIM card which has all the relevant information concerning the SIM card on it (i.e. phone no. PUK code etc) - the only card I could get cost €6 with €5 of included calls - expensive calls though, 30¢ a minute. They assured me I could change my plan online and recharge the phone online using a UK Visa card. Changing the plan was simple (although it cost €9 to change to a plan for calls that cost 18¢ a minute - this plan wasn't available to me as a new customer when I bought the SIM card). It was impossible for me to top up my balance online using either a UK or Australian VISA card so I'm assuming that TIM only accept Italian issued VISA cards on their website.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 12:58

I have had no trouble with my Italian Sim from Vodafone.it. Simply went in to a vodofone shop and bought it seem to remember using some ID (prob uk driving licence but CF was not required although I offered. You can top up by buying a card in a tabacchi which is a little entertaining if your italian is slow. You can't use a UK credit card to top up on line but I find the easiest of all, you can top up using Paypal, cheaper than cards, and also loads of online offers, eg last w/e you could get 80 euros credit for 50 euros.