I am going to italy at the end of the month for 2 weeks with the wife and we are leaving the kids at grandmas. I am from alberta and the wife tells me that we are going to take our telus phone to italy so we can call or recieve calls whenever we want. What is the best and cheapest option for phoning? when i worked in mexico i talked to a phone company in mexico and got a pay as u go phone is that what i should do in italy?

You can buy an international chip card that makes your phone a pay as you go apparently. Haven't done it myself though just researching as well.

you just buy a pay as you go sim card i believe, and switch them in your phone

You have to have an unlocked phone - which telus can do - I think you can buy a SIM card there prob

You can buy a disposable phone there for about $10 can. And then fill it up. That is what my parents do when they travel to Europe every year. Roaming charges will kill you! Best of luck! Ciao!

U can unlock your own...u tube it

My daughter just got back from Italy this week. They waited until they got to a hotel withWiFi and we FaceTimed/Skyped.

yeah thats what i wann a do but the wife says that since we are leaving our 2 year old with my mom she wants a phone on her so that if there is an emergency they can call and tell us right away rather then finding out that night

We've been to Italy many times and I even went to school there. Claire's idea is the one. Trust. have fun!

you might want to think about Skype. we went to Ukraine, Romania and the area for a month. I bought $14.00 worth of |Skype time and came still with a credit. besides then your kids can actually see you and you can see them. Two weeks is a long time for Mommy & daddy separation.

Your 4G smartphone from Telus will work but roaming charges (voice and data) will eat you alive. Make sure that you purchase a roaming package from Telus before departure.
http://mobility.telus.com/.../international.../index.shtml
The word's wireless standard is GSM, Telus is NOT one of them. You are *MUCH* better off to purchase a prepaid phone in Italy.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/.../Italy:Sim.Card.Purchase.In...

I have to say, as much as it sounds great to be reachable any time, just having your phone turned on in Italy could cost you hundreds of dollars in roaming charges over the two weeks. I would do the prepaid thing or Skype.

I wouldn't put myself in his shoes. Some people can justify few hundred bucks in return for some personal comforts. In this case, it's only $50 or $125 to prepaid the usage.
I have seen people losing child custody cases because he was not reachable by the phone number given. Examples go on such as business requirements, family or personal matters...
Too much out of topics here. Have fun in Italy!

thanks everyone i believe we are gonna tyr the prepaid phone over there and i will let you guys know what i think when we get back'

End note... when I went to school there, they sold me a little Nokia flip phone for 10 Euro with phone number. I left school and the phone with friends. Last year I returned and the phone was still in sevice. All that for 10 Euro.

http://www.spareone.com/spareone-features.php interesting - just saw this on a product spot before a movie