Phones

Personal Cell Phones

Students are expected to have a cell phone that works independently of WiFi for personal use. Many students choose to purchase an Italian SIM card or cell phone, as they are readily available and relatively affordable. Others prefer to keep their foreign number and activate an international calling plan through their home provider. Both options are acceptable. Whatever they decide, they must share their phone number with the Office of Student Life. This is crucial in case of an emergency.

Future students: Please note that during orientation week, you will have the opportunity to get an Italian SIM card on check-in day and at the info fair. More details will be provided in your arrival materials, which staff will send to your NYU email upon arrival. 

The Office of Student Life strongly advises against signing long-term contracts with Italian cell phone providers, as they often last three years, automatically charge your credit card monthly, and are hard to cancel. Instead, the OSL encourages students to choose a monthly prepaid plan with fixed talk, text, and data that you can manually renew every 30 days—online by credit card or in cash at Tabacchi, grocery stores, or phone shops.

Purchasing a phone or SIM card in Florence

The major mobile phone providers in Italy are Vodafone, TIM, and Wind. You can purchase cell phones and SIM cards at their official stores or at electronics retailers not affiliated with a specific carrier, such as Euronics or MediaWorld. Below are some locations in downtown Florence where you can buy a cell phone and SIM card:

• RGF: RGF sells Wind and Vodafone SIM cards and repairs all types of cellular phones. A representative from RGF will be on campus during Orientation Week for students interested in purchasing a cell phone or SIM card. This shop is located in Viale Don Minzoni 46/a/r, Tel. 055 500 2020.

• Wind: Cellular phones and Wind SIM cards are sold here. One of their shops is located in Via de’ Martelli 16/r, Tel. 055 292 348.

• TIM: Cellular phones and TIM SIM cards are sold here. One of their shops is located in Via dei Calzaiuoli 114/118, Tel. 055 239 6066