Hey expats!

I was wondering, does anyone have information about cheap/free methods of calling to and from Italy (mobile to mobile)? Maybe some of your family use these methods to call those of you in Italy?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Sirena

If you and whoever you are speaking to have an iPhone, you can call anyone in the world using Viber. If you use la Tre, there is a plan that lets you call overseas for cheap. Otherwise, just use Skype! Heather

The 'tre' plan finished this january, and they overcharged a lot for other features. I have heard of viber, does it work well? Unfortunately we both have blackberry phones. Skype is fine but requires more effort and works more for a planned conversation. I was looking for something more like making a quick call...

Can't help with mobile calls. I have cheap calls to land lines so if my family want to talk to me, they just send me a text saying "call me if you're home"

Duffer might know something. He knows a lot about phones and tv and stuff.

Hi,
I use skype with my mobile. I can call and receive normal and skype calls. You can also text to normal mobile phones. Paying a small amount you can have a virtual landline number in Italy or UK. Useful if you want for example a Manchester phone number starting with 0161 but want to answer while you are in Italy. You can also activate an answering machine. I find all other companies a little expensive. Tim does a special chip for calls abroad, but I don't think it's cheep calling UK.

Get rid of your Blackberrys!

Limited Skype support, can't use Viber which is probably the best mobile to mobile calling app and hardly any Voip apps available.

Thank you everyone!! Yes duffer, viber sounds fantastic!!

Is there a calling card available in italy to call the UK (landlines?)

Homeandgardens - didn't know about the virtual landlines? So if I set up a virtual landline in italy, and called from the UK, i'd pay a uk landline rate of calling an italian landline rate?

Thanks all!!

Hi, we have a TIM International sim card, but the call charges aren't good. I think it's about 24 cent a minute for calls (lanline or mobile) and 16 cent per text to the UK.
We 're now waiting for Telecom Italia to install a line and have chosen the added extra to call the UK. Think it costs about an extra 10 euro a month for unlimited calls to landlines.
My father bought a 'Lebara' sim card from the Carphone Warehouse, which allows him to call Italy for 5p a minute to landlines and 19p to mobiles. Texts are 12p. I think the Post Office do something similar too, although I'm not sure.
Some networks, like O2 offer 'bolt ons' for a set monthly fee, allowing cheaper calls to Italy for landlines and mobiles, depending on the deal you choose.
Hope that helps, good luck!

Really useful info!! Thanks a lot lisajw!!