Question on using TIM card in Italy
 

Leaving for Italy and France next week, and I'm borrowing a TIM SIM from someone (already have it). When I get to Italy, how do I check the remaining balance on the card (in English)? And when I buy a recharge card, are there instructions in English as well?

Thanks,
Jon

I never had a TIM card but I think you have to call the toll free number 4916 and you can choose among Italian, English and German. The same number is used for recharging.

Thanks--hopefully that's the same number.

You can check your balance (even from abroad) different ways:

You can select "Servizi TIM" in the menu of the handset, then scroll to and select "Timcard" and finally, "Credito." You will receive an sms stating your credit balance. I have done this (from Canada) and it works fine.

Another method is to key-in *123# <Yes/Send> : remaining credit should be displayed.

Finally, sending and SMS to 4916 with the text "PRE CRE SIN" should also trigger receiving your balance by SMS.

Frank.

Excellent...great information.

That's don't work everywhere in italy.
It's best to send a SMS.
If the phone have sim toolkit support you can send the message from the menu on the phone: Servizi Tim --> Timcard --> Credito --> Attuale after a while you'll receive the sms.

I actually put in the SIM at home (San Francisco) and sent an SMS to 4916 with the text "PRE CRE SIN" as mentioned above...that did the trick.

I have recharged my TIM SIM the following way many times from Canada:

Send an SMS to 4916 with the following text: RIC 12345678
where 12345678 is the PIN code on the recharge card.

To find out what your balance is, send an SMS to 4916 with PRE CRE SIN
as text. You will receive a SMS with your balance.

To change the vocal menu setup, you have to call the 119 and telle them. Unfortunately the call center guys usually speak a poor english!