Phones
Cell phones are the simplest and most economical way for making and receiving phone calls, sending text messages, and for internet use, since you are always in control of how much you spend. It is simple to activate your cell phone by visiting one of the cell phone providers in Italy: TIM, Vodafone, Wind, Tre, which are the popular companies, and iliad, Kena and ho, which are low-cost mobile companies. These companies offer a variety of pre-paid SIM and e-SIM cards (which cost about €10.00), monthly plans with minutes, text messages, and internet usage starting from about €10.00 per month (unlimited minutes/unlimited text messages/50 GB internet). You can use your smartphone and sign up with a provider listed below. Be sure to select a “pay-as-you-go” plan and do not sign a service contract. Be sure to check with your cell provider in your home country to ensure that your phone is unlocked. You can also choose to buy a basic cell phone that will cost around €30.00 with a “pay-as-you-go” service option, or a basic smartphone that will cost you about €60.00.
Links to the companies mentioned are below:
TIM: https://www.tim.it/
Vodafone: http://www.vodafone.it/portal/Privati
Wind: http://www.wind.it/it/privati/
Kena: www.kenamobile.it
Iliad: www.iliad.it
ho.: www.ho-mobile.it
For safety reasons, you are expected to have a local number and keep your phone charged, on, and with you at all times. The cost of this has been accounted for in your estimated personal expenses.
The telephones at the Sede are for the use of the director and staff only. Students may not receive telephone calls at the Sede, except in the case of an emergency.
As long-distance calling charges are rather costly, we caution 
students to be very careful in making long-distance calls from telephones for which they receive bills; splitting telephone bills is not always easy. Disagreements on how to divide phone bills can generate serious friction among housemates. Mobile phone companies also offer special fares to call abroad. Students who hope to use calling cards or international 800 numbers while in Italy should contact their phone company before they leave and receive detailed information about how to use their services in Italy.
The telephone directory lists tariffs, time differences, and emergency numbers such as the Police Department, Fire Department, etc. A supplement to the telephone directory called Pagine Gialle (www.paginegialle.it) provides a wealth of information including maps of the bus lines, a complete list of street names, museums, restaurants, hospitals, etc.
Telephone booths are very rare, however, long distance calls can still be made from them. You will need to know the country code for the country you are calling (e.g., the country code for the U.S. is 001).
There is a selection of companies that offer discounted, pre-paid, long distance virtual calling cards for sale in bars, edicole, and tabaccai, which may be used with both public and private phones. These companies offer competitive rates for calling cards if calling from a landline or public phone.
