Will my phone work in Italy? How to get internet access

Can I use my cell phone in Italy?

Yes, you can use your cell phone in Italy to make calls, send texts, and access the internet with mobile data. Whether you’re planning to stay in touch with loved ones back home or make them jealous with your Instagram stories, you’ll need mobile service in Italy. 

Here’s what you’ll need to do before leaving to make sure that your cell phone will work. 

Make sure your phone is unlocked

Some carriers lock cell phones to their network, so you may need to unlock your phone to use a local SIM card in Italy. In other words, if you’re using a cell service provider like AT&T, you can only use an AT&T SIM card to get mobile service. That means that if you keep your cell phone carrier locked, you won’t have the flexibility to switch SIMs and you’ll have to use your roaming (spoiler alert: roaming is super expensive when you’re abroad). 

Each carrier has its own rules for unlocking your phone, which may involve getting a code from your service provider.

To check whether your device is unlocked:

1. Go to “Settings.”

2. Tap “General” and then “About.”

3. Go to “Network Provider Lock.”

4. Check if it says “No SIM restrictions.” If so, it’s unlocked. 

5. Check if it says “SIM locked.” If so, you’ll need to unlock it. 

   

Carrier restrictions change over time, so you should always check your mobile service provider’s website and your phone’s SIM restriction settings. Here’s a quick overview of the most up-to-date carrier restrictions in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia:

US

• AT&T locks its SIMs, so you’ll need to unlock it. 

• T-Mobile locks its SIMs, so you’ll need to unlock it.

• Verizon locks its SIMs after 60 days of purchase but automatically removes the lock after this period. 

• Keep in mind that if you’ve purchased a cell phone that is not sold or authorized by these vendors, you'll have to go to the carrier or manufacturer that you purchased your phone from to unlock it.

UK

• EE phones should be unlocked but might be locked if it’s an older phone.

• O2 phones should be unlocked if purchased after August 1, 2018. 

• Vodafone and Three phones could be carrier locked. Check your system settings to see if it’s locked and visit their websites for instructions to unlock them if needed. 

Canada

• In 2017, the Wireless Code was implemented to allow more freedom with carrier locks. So generally speaking, most phones that have been sold by vendors after 2017 should be unlocked. However, check your service provider’s website just in case. 

Australia

• Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone all mention that your cell phone may or may not be carrier locked and to check the system settings to make sure. Instructions for unlocking your device can be found on the companies’ websites.

Research SIM card options

Buying a SIM card is a great way to avoid outrageously high roaming fees. Two options for getting a physical SIM card are buying a local SIM card in Italy or getting an international travel SIM card. That way, you’ll get a phone number with Italy’s country code on your own phone. The most popular network providers in Italy are TIM, WindTre, and Vodafone.

These carriers offer SIM card plans specifically designed to get access to the internet in Italy for tourists. Getting a local SIM card is an especially good option if you’re planning to make a phone call in Italy. Though certain apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Signal only need internet access to make a call, it ultimately comes down to what you prefer.

Check network compatibility

Most countries use the same mobile network frequencies, but you should confirm whether your phone supports specific bands. No, we don’t mean bands like Italy’s beloved Eurovision-winning band Måneskin. We’re talking about frequency bands, which is a fancy term for the distance required between your phone and a cell tower to get a signal and how fast this process happens. You’re probably already familiar with LTE, 3G, and 4G speeds. Some countries offer very fast speeds like 5G, while others don’t have the infrastructure to support such quick internet speeds. 

To check which frequency bands are supported by your phone, a quick Google search should tell you which bands are supported by the model of your cell phone. 

Band frequencies in Italy

Italy offers 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G band frequencies — but they differ between providers. 

To make sure that you have the best coverage possible across Italy, it’s important to check your cell phone’s compatibility with each of these networks. But don’t worry! If your phone isn’t compatible with some of these band frequencies, it doesn’t mean it won’t work in Italy. It just means you’ll have slower internet speeds in certain areas. 

How to get internet access in Italy

You have a few options for getting a stable internet connection in Italy, some being more secure than others. When you’re looking for phone service in Italy, it’s best to first check which mobile service providers are available in the country. Let’s take a look at a few ways to get internet access in Italy, including roaming, SIM cards, and Wi-Fi.  

Turn on your roaming plan

International roaming plans are convenient since all you need to do is switch on your “data roaming” and you’ll have instant access to the internet. However, roaming in Italy with an operator can be shockingly expensive. What makes roaming such a budget drainer is that a lot of the time, you pay a flat-fee per day whether you’re using your mobile data for 1 minute or 8 hours. Resorting to roaming also doesn’t guarantee the fastest network speed despite cell service providers advertising quick internet speeds. 

High prices + potentially slow network speed = not a great option for getting internet access in Italy. 

All that being said, switching on your roaming is a good option if you know you’ll absolutely need to be making phone calls back home and can’t use apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Signal. However, you have much more affordable options for accessing the internet. 

Get a prepaid local SIM card in Italy

Another way to get internet access on your trip is by buying a local SIM card in Italy. This means you’ll need to physically take out your “home” SIM card and insert a new one. If you’re wondering what cell phone service works in Italy, the most popular network carriers are TIM, WindTre, and Vodafone. Here’s a breakdown of TIM and WindTre’s Italian SIM card plans.

Both companies offer other plans, but these are the most popular SIM card plans for tourists in Italy. If you’re looking for unlimited data, you may need to shop around. 

Physical SIM cards are a good option for having access to the internet in Italy but not the best. The fact that you have to physically remove your “home” SIM and replace it with a local one leaves room for it to be damaged, lost, or stolen. In the unfortunate event that you lose your SIM card or have it stolen, you’re at risk for not-so-fun stuff like fraud and identity theft. 

Carry around pocket Wi-Fi for Italy

Pocket Wi-Fi, aka Mi-Fi, is a portable wireless modem that you can carry around with you and get access to the internet on the go. It works just like your Wi-Fi at home, except it doesn’t need installation or cables — just a password. 

Two of the most popular pocket Wi-Fi providers in Italy are WiTourist and MIOWIFI. WiTourist offers options for varying network speeds and amounts of data, while MIOWIFI has a set package for pocket Wi-Fi in Italy. Here’s a breakdown of the two companies’ pocket Wi-Fi offerings.

However, W-iFi — including pocket Wi-Fi — doesn’t have the greatest security, which puts you at risk for hacking. Another issue, like with physical SIM cards, is that Pocket Wi-Fi modems can be stolen, lost, or damaged, which will leave you with extra fees from rental companies. For this reason, pocket Wi-Fi isn’t our top choice for accessing the internet as a tourist in Italy. 

Use public Wi-Fi in Italy

Another option for getting internet access in Italy is, of course, through public Wi-Fi at cafes, train stations, or museums. While public Wi-Fi is technically the free option, it can end up costing you a whole lot of money if your sensitive info (like banking info) is hacked. That’s the biggest issue with public Wi-Fi — it’s not the safest option for accessing the internet because hackers can impersonate free networks.

Aside from cybersecurity concerns, public Wi-Fi isn’t accessible absolutely everywhere. It’s especially less likely to be available away from city-centers. Between stunning natural sites like the Dolomites and Mount Etna, you wouldn’t want to miss these spots just because you won’t have free Wi-Fi. 

Luckily, a better option tackles these cybersecurity issues and ensures you have a stable internet connection at all times. 

Best option: An eSIM for Italy

Our top choice for getting mobile data in Italy is through an eSIM app, like Saily. 

By downloading an eSIM, you can skip lines at the airport or train station for getting a physical SIM card. If you activate your eSIM before boarding, you’ll have high-speed internet the moment you arrive in Italy. 

Not only are eSIMs convenient, but they are one of the most affordable ways to access the internet is by purchasing an eSIM for Italy. It’s super quick and easy to download the Saily app and choose your preferred mobile data plan. eSIMs for Italy start for as little as $3.99 for 1GB of data. If you want more data later on, you can easily top up in the app.

On another note — have you ever seen the Italian woman who went viral for chasing down pickpockets in city centers, shouting her iconic line “ATTENZIONE, PICKPOCKET!!”? Though her efforts are remarkably entertaining, she does what she does for a reason — certain cities in Italy have unfortunately garnered a reputation for pickpocketing. The great thing about eSIMs is that they’re integrated into your phone, meaning you don’t have any physical SIM to be stolen, lost, or damaged. That being said, you’ll still have to be mindful of having your phone stolen. Be conscious of your belongings at all times!

If you want an affordable, convenient, and safe way of accessing the internet in Italy, download the Saily app before your trip!

A quick recap on using your phone in Italy

You have multiple options to ensure your phone will work in Italy and that you’ll have internet access on your trip. As long as your SIM is unlocked, you can use your carrier’s international roaming plan, but you should expect it to be quite expensive. 

Pocket Wi-Fi and resorting to free public Wi-Fi are two alternatives, but both of these options come with security risks. 

A better option is to purchase a local SIM card for Italy, which would give you mobile data and some  minutes for making calls back home. That being said, you’ll be stuck with an Italian phone number for the time being, and physically inserting that delicate little card into your phone won’t be the most convenient task imaginable. 

The best option is to purchase an eSIM. It’s more convenient than a physical SIM card since all you need to do is download and activate it from an app. That way, you’ll avoid waiting in line to purchase a physical SIM card and having to put it in your cell phone. eSIMs are an affordable option to get high-speed internet anywhere in Italy. 

Enjoy your trip and take advantage of those refreshing Aperols! 

FAQ

Will my phone automatically work in Italy?

It depends. You may be able to turn on your roaming plan so you can use mobile data, and some plans give you the option to pay a flat fee per day to make calls and texts. 

Which mobile phone service is the best for Italy?

TIM, Vodafone, and WindTRE all offer 5G, which is the fastest possible mobile network speed at the moment. 

How do I make a phone call in Italy?

You can purchase an Italian SIM card that gives you an Italian phone number and a certain number of minutes. Most mobile plans geared toward tourists allow you to make unlimited calls within Italy and offer 100 minutes worth of international calls.

However, you need to make sure that your cell phone isn’t “carrier locked” beforehand. We suggest checking this before you get to Italy because you’ll often need a code from your carrier or the vendor you purchased your phone from to unlock it.