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Cell Phones

You are strongly encouraged to have a cell phone during our time in Italy (for emergencies, finding us if you are lost, etc.) Most likely, the cell phone you already own will not work in Italy (though it may - read on), as Italy uses a different cellular network system than most networks in the USA. Even if your phone works, you'll also need cellular service. Your current service provider may offer international (or country-specific) services, but they may cost a lot.

Given all this, you should consider doing the following:
  1. If your cell phone will work in Italy, check what the lowest-cost package is for service in Italy by your current provider. If the total cost is less than the options that follow, this may be your best choice.
  2. If you have a tri- or quad-band unlocked GSM phone (check that your phone has all of these characteristics), you can purchase a SIM card for it that will work in Italy
  3. Buy (or rent) a phone + SIM card that will work in Italy
It is very easy to simply buy a phone + SIM card in Italy. Just go to a cell phone store (they are all over Rome), bring your passport and your apartment address (just in case, though I have found this is not even needed), and buy a phone.  A basic phone will run about 60 euros with SIM card.