TIM Account Registration: **  YOUR ACTION IS REQUIRED !!

In order for your SIM and phone service to function in Italy, it is necessary that you register your account information with Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM). Registration is required by Italian law and is in your interest because it allows you to communicate with TIM directly regarding all aspects of your prepaid cell phone account.  Also, your account will be frozen after one top-up if not registered.

Please fax the following items to your TIM Official Dealer

    * Photocopy of Passport
    * Date, City and Country of Birth
    * The Italy SIM Phone Number to be registered
    * Provide current contact info (email IN CAPITAL and readeble LETTERS if you want receive fax reception confirmation)
    * Confirmation may take up to five business days.  Consider Italy's holidays and less frenetic approach to business and life


*This information is going directly to TIM and is required under Italian law in order to establish cell phone service through the purchase of a SIM card.  The same information would be required if purchasing a SIM directly from TIM.


Your Italian Phone Number

    * Is on the plastic card that does not contain the SIM chip, under the third bar code next to "N. Tel".  It is ten digits and begins 33X-XXXXXXX  (example: 335-5551212)
    * The first 33X prefix is a cell phone designation, like area code, therefore no additional city code needs to be added before dialing it.
    * The phone number is also typed along the bottom of the little SIM chip itself.  If it's forgotten, simply open the back of the phone and look at the bottom of the SIM chip
    * Interestingly, not all phone numbers in Italy are ten digits.  You may encounter numbers with fewer or with more digits!

 

PIN and PUK

The card without the SIM chip contains your phone number and PIN and PUK.  You don't need to worry about the PIN and PUK because the PIN is automatically switched off.  The PUK is used if you enter your the PIN incorrectly four times.  Since the PIN is never used, the PUK will not be needed.  


How to Dial

From the US to the Italian Cell Phone

    * Dial:  011-39-339-555-5555  (example phone number)
          o 011 to make an international call, 39 is the country code for Italy

From the Italian Cell Phone to the United States

    * Dial: 00-1-212-555-1212 (example phone number)
          o 00 to make an international call from Europe, 1 is the country code for the US, then area code and phone number
          o The "+" symbol is often used overseas to represent 00.  Push and hold the 0 key to get a +

 

From within Italy to the Italian Cell Phone

    * Dial: 339-555-5555 (example phone number)

 

SIM Installation

Snap the small rectangular SIM chip, with the notched corner, out of the larger, plastic credit card-sized holder.

Slide it into the SIM slot on your GSM phone.  The SIM area is usually located under the battery and is often in the shape of the SIM or has a small diagram showing the SIM shape and the proper direction to insert it.  Install circuit-side facing down into the electronics of the phone.

Before Departure

DO

    * Pop SIM chip out of holder and insert in phone
    * Turn on phone and enter contacts in address book
    * Any error message such as "invalid SIM" or "Enter Subsidy Code" indicates a locked phone which will need to be unlocked before functioning with our SIM.
    * Be sure phone operates on the 900/1800 MHz European GMS frequencies (a few older Motorola phones  must be manually set to 900/1800).  Some US GSM cell phones may not receive these frequencies; they  are required in order for the phone to function in Europe.

 

DO NOT

    * Attempt to make or receive calls before arriving in Italy.  While it might work, there will be roaming rates and it could invalidate the SIM

 

Upon Arrival

    * Turn on phone to receive signal from TIM
    * Make one outgoing call to anywhere in the world
    * Your service is activated!

 

Main Menu to English – AFTER Arrival in Italy

Change the Main Menu Voice Prompts to English – Wait until all options have been listed before making a selection

    * Dial 4916 – account credit and credit expiration will be read in Italian, followed by a list of menu options
    * After the options are read, push 4
    * After next list of options, push 3
    * After next list (should be a list of languages read in Italian), push 2 for English
    * Push 8 to confirm selection

Turn phone off and then on again.  Dial 4916 anytime to check balance or to navigate TIM phone service menu options in English.   
 

Voice Mail Dial 4920

Change the Voice Mail Menu Prompts to English – Wait until all options have been listed before making a selection

    * Dial 4920
    * Push 3 after all options are given
    * Push 3 after next list of options
    * Push 1 after options

Buying Recharge Vouchers

    * Recharge cards or vouchers are sold at newsstands, tobacco shops and convenience stores.  Look for the TIM logo around town for purchase locations
    * Only purchase scratch-off recharge vouchers from TIM.  Cards from other carriers will not work
    * Do NOT purchase another SIM CARD – only a "RicariCard" card.

 

To Add Call Credit – Scratch the silver coating from the back of the RicariCard to reveal the 16-digit recharge code.

    * Dial 4916
    * Push 2
    * Push 1 for RicariCard option
    * Enter the 16-digit code when prompted
    * Double-check number as it is read back and then push 8 to confirm

From Outside Italy – First, purchase RicariCards before leaving Italy – they are not sold outside Italy.  To add credit from outside Italy using a RicariCard simply text the code in by dialing from the main screen of your phone, *123* <16-digit recharge code> # and then push Send/Talk/Yes/Answer key

To Check Balance Dial 4916

    * The Message "You are not qualified to make this call" means you are out of call credit
    * When outside of Italy, check balance by dialing *123# and the balance is displayed on the screen.


SIM Validity Period

Outgoing calls with the TIM Italy SIM card expires one year from the date last time credit was added (or SIM acttivation date if never recharged).  One month after that (13 months from last credit recharge) the SIM, Credit balance and corresponding phone number expire.

Important Phone Numbers in Italy

TIM Customer Service Dial 119

    * It is a free call from the cell phone
    * From a landline call [011 39] 339-9119
    * Alternate customer service number is 1860.  Option 2 for English
    * Customers service available 24/7
    * TIM is your carrier and has access to your account
    * Contact us for anything not resolved through TIM, but as resellers we have no full access to their data.

 

FindEverything Dial 412* – information on hotels, restaurants, taxis, open pharmacies, directory assistance, etc.

*Domestic (in Italy) rates apply


Utmost Accuracy Attempted
We do our best to maintain the accuracy of these instructions and we appreciate constructive customer feedback regarding their accuracy.  Please understand that carriers have the right to change menus, rates and access numbers at their discretion and occasionally do so.  We update our information as soon as those changes are brought to our attention.  Thank you for your help and we appreciate your business!