TIM SIM Cards & eSIM: Detailed Guides for Tourists

When traveling in Italy, you need a local SIM card for mobile connectivity. The TIM is one of the most common service providers giving out physical SIMs and eSIM profiles to travelers. This guide assists in choosing between TIM SIM options while creating an Italian number either purchasing a physical TIM SIM Card or activating eSIM online. With the right SIM solution, you will be able to move around in Italy and keep connected while traveling.

1. Quick facts about TIM

TIM is the largest mobile network operator in Italy with over 31 million users. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Telefonica O2 Italy, the biggest telecommunications company. TIM provides diverse mobile services such as voice, data, and messaging. It also offers fixed-line broadband, digital TV, and pay TV.

Here are some quick facts about TIM Italy:

• Founded: 1994
• Headquarters: Rome, Italy
• Parent company: Telecom Italia
• Customers: Over 31 million
• Network coverage: 99% of the Italian population
• Services: Mobile voice, data, and messaging; fixed-line broadband; digital TV; pay-TV

TIM is a leading communication company in Italy. It is heavily investing in its 5G network to be released nationwide in 2023. TIM is also expanding in the fiber-to-the-home market, expected to reach over 20 million homes by 2025.

TIM is highly preferred by most mobile subscribers due to its wide network coverage, excellent customer care, and multiple packages for diverse needs.

2. Italy TIM Coverage and Speed

To understand which TIM SIM option is best for your needs, it’s important to be aware of TIM’s coverage and speed capabilities across Italy.

2.1. TIM coverage in Italy

According to the Opensignal Report November 2023 for Italy Mobile Network Experience, TIM has the second-best coverage of all five national operators in Italy:

• TIM works well for 5G in many places around Italy. It shares an award with another company for having 5G in popular areas.
• TIM doesn’t win any awards all by itself for coverage. But it does well sharing coverage awards with other companies in some parts of Italy.
• The report doesn’t say exactly how much of Italy TIM can reach. But as one of the big companies, it probably has signals in most places for 4G.
• For being connected, another company called Iliad is the best. This means Iliad has service more of the time.
• While reaching many places is important, TIM stands out more for speeds and streaming video quality. This suggests it provides good service where coverage exists.

In short, as a major phone provider in Italy, TIM likely reaches many towns and cities with 4G. It also does well for 5G compared to others. Coverage is not TIM’s strongest point in the report. But the network works well in places it can reach.

2.2. TIM speed

TIM has the fastest 5G download and upload speeds in Italy, according to the Opensignal Italy Mobile Network Experience Report for May 2023.

• TIM wins the award for fastest 5G download speed at 239.3 Mbps. It has the second fastest 5G upload speed of 22.8 Mbps.
• For overall download speeds, TIM places third with an average of 32 Mbps. However, TIM’s download speed increased by 1.5 Mbps since the last report.
• TIM wins the award for best 5G video experience for streaming quality.
• While not the fastest overall, TIM provides the top speeds for 5G. Users with a 5G device on TIM’s network can expect good speeds, especially for 5G video streaming.

In summary, the key strengths for TIM are having the number one 5G download speed and top quality for 5G video streaming. While not the overall fastest network, TIM delivers excellent performance for users on its 5G services.

3. TIM connectivity options for travelers to Italy

TIM offers both prepaid SIM cards and eSIM connectivity for tourists visiting Italy:

Both give fast 4G in Italy; roaming in Europe. However, one of the advantages that eSIM offers is that there is no need to have a physical SIM card.

4. Best TIM SIM cards for tourists & cost

The TIM Tourist SIM Card is the best option for tourists want to use TIM network. It is uniquely targeted for tourists to allow them to purchase cheap data, voice, and text.

5. Does TIM Italy support eSIM?

Yes, TIM was the first Italian provider to launch eSIM support in 2019. The TIM eSIM costs around 10 USD. TIM eSIM service is available for eSIM-compatible devices.

So customers with newer iPhones or Android phones can get a TIM eSIM for data in Italy. TIM eSIMs allow the use of mobile data through the app without a physical SIM card.

Currently, TIM eSIM Italy is not supported for tourists, so visitors coming to Italy should consider TIM physical SIM cards or Italy eSIM from itay-esim.com.

6. Where To buy An Italy TIM SIM card and eSIM?

Locating places that offer TIM SIM cards and eSIM setup is the first step to getting connected during your visit to Italy.

6.1. Where to buy TIM SIM for Italy

As a tourist, you have two options to buy a TIM Visitor prepaid SIM in Italy:

• Airport: TIM has a store at Rome Airport (FCO) in the Arrival Hall. You can purchase TIM Tourist SIM here.
• TIM stores: You can find TIM stores in all major cities and towns in Italy. Use the TIM store locator.
• Authorized retailers: TIM also sells its SIM cards through authorized retailers, such as newsstands, tobacco shops, and electronics stores.
• Online: You can also purchase a TIM SIM card online from the TIM website. If you are buying your SIM card online, you will need to pick it up from a TIM store or authorized retailer once you arrive in Italy.

6.2. Where to Buy Italy TIM eSIM

You can purchase a new eSIM in combination with the purchase of a compatible TIM mobile offer, either online, by going to tim.it, or by going to an TIM point of sale.

However, as you noted, TIM eSIMs are mainly intended for Italian residents or those with Italian IDs/documentation. Tourists may have trouble activating a TIM eSIM. eSIM from other eSIM providers like italy-esim.com may be much more suitable.

7. How To Activate TIM Italy SIM/eSIM

Now that you’ve obtained your TIM SIM or eSIM, the next step is to activate it so you can start using the connectivity features during your travels around Italy.

7.1 How to activate TIM Italy SIM card

Once you who purchased the Voucher for the exclusive TIM Tourist offer abroad has arrived in Italy, you should

• Visit a TIM Store and show the Voucher containing PIN code, plus an identification document. 
• The TIM Store will carry out the standard activation procedures: collection of documents, visual confirmation of the customer and presentation of an identification document (e.g. ID card or passport).

Once the TIM Card is activated, the TIM Tourist offer will be activated within 24 hours with no additional cost.

7.2 How to activate TIM eSIM

Activating the TIM eSIM is simple. To activate a TIM Italy eSIM, you need to:

• Request the eSIM. Call Customer Service at 191 (for Professionals/VAT number) or at 800.191.101 (for Businesses) to activate a new line with the eSIM, or to request a SIM change.
• Receive the eSIM. By courier or at a point of sale
• Configure the eSIM. Access the Settings menu on your smartphone and enter the new profile. Make sure the device is connected to the Internet (even via Wi-Fi).
• Scan the QR code. To download the eSIM to your smartphone.
• Activate the eSIM. Enter the PIN code on the voucher after completing the download.

8. Italy TIM call and SMS rates

TIM Visitor SIMs and eSIMs have different rates for calls and texts while in Italy:

Please note that these rates are for standard TIM plans. There may be different rates for other plans or special offers.

9. Useful USSD codes for TIM Italy SIM card

TIM Italy prepaid SIMs allow checking balances by dialing *144#.

No need to register beyond passport verification. USSD codes work directly on a TIM SIM card. eSIM users can check their data balance in the TIM app instead.

10. How to top up TIM Italy SIM card/eSIM

You have several ways to recharge and top-up a TIM SIM or eSIM in Italy:

• Online: You can top up your SIM card or eSIM online through the TIM website or the My TIM app.
• In-store: You can also top up your SIM card or eSIM at any TIM store or authorized retailer.
• Over the phone: You can call TIM customer service on 119 to top up your SIM card or eSIM.
• Using a scratch card: You can buy a TIM scratch card from any TIM store or authorized retailer and use it to top up your SIM card or eSIM.

11. Alternatives to Italy TIM SIM card

Some alternatives to get Italy SIM cards beyond TIM are:

• Vodafone Italy – One of the largest mobile operators in Italy alongside TIM. They offer good 4G coverage nationwide and competitive plans.
• WINDTRE – Formed from the merger of Wind and 3 Italia. Also has widespread 4G coverage. Plans include decent data allowances.
• Iliad – A relatively new low-cost carrier known for very affordable plans. Coverage is still expanding but works well in major cities and along main transport routes.
• Fastweb – Primarily an internet provider but also offers mobile plans on their network. Could be worth considering if you also need a home broadband option.
• Italy-esim.com – eSIM provider selling Italy eSIM profiles that you can activate for use in Italy. Very convenient option to avoid shipping a physical SIM card and only need a verified email to receive QR code. Plans are on TIM, Vodafone, or WINDTRE networks.

In general, the top three carriers TIM, Vodafone and WINDTRE have the strongest and most reliable networks across Italy. An eSIM is convenient option for no need carry a physical SIM card.

Traveling to Italy?

Get affordable Italy eSIM plans from italy-esim.com. Available from 3 days to 1 month, starting at just $3. Purchase now, activate on arrival. Worry-free connectivity awaits!

12. FAQs about getting TIM in Italy

13. Conclusion

To wrap it all up, TIM Italy is a good provider of connectivity alternatives for tourists. Therefore, if you may require either SIM card or eSIM for traveling to Italy, TIM is the best choice with great Italy coverage, network speeds, and eSIM support. Insert a TIM SIM card or activate an eSIM profile for hassle-free internet access on an Italy trip!