Simkeep review: a cheap eSIM for Italy, but three points to check

Before buying, look up each municipality on your route on the WINDTRE coverage map, then check the exact location of your agriturismo. Coverage announced for the region does not necessarily guarantee a connection in a farm away from the village, on a secondary road or in a valley. For your stay near Saturnia, therefore check the accommodation address, but also the places you plan to stop at. The map notably distinguishes 5G TDD, 5G FDD, 4G, 3G and 2G; according to the article, an address shown only in 3G or 2G is not suitable for the expected data usage.

Do not plan to rely on 5G without having checked it: once there, look at the indicator at the top of the screen and test a web page on mobile data. Download road maps and access information for the Saturnia hot springs in advance, in case the connection is weak. For a trip to a cove on the Argentario, for example, it is also better to prepare your route before leaving a well-covered area; you can consult our article on the Argentario cave and its cove to place this outing in your program. If the map only shows 3G or 2G at your address, plan another local solution rather than discovering the problem on arrival.

The Simkeep rates in the article are displayed in US dollars, and some are indicated as discounted prices. For example, the 1 GB for 7 days plan costs 3.48 $ excluding tax, the 5 GB for 30 days costs 8.54 $, and the 3 GB for 15 days offer costs 6.02 $. These amounts alone do not allow you to know the total in euros you will pay: check the currency and the final amount on the payment screen, taking into account the conversion applied by the payment method and the taxes mentioned at the time of purchase. Do not assume that a price displayed in dollars will be charged identically in euros.

To compare with a plan sold in euros, convert the offers to the same currency and to a comparable volume and duration. The article cites, for comparison, 12 € for 10 GB valid for 30 days from Ubigi, while Simkeep displays 11.80 $ for 10 GB over 30 days in its table. Since the currencies differ, these two figures are not directly comparable without conversion at the time you buy. Also check the exact validity of the chosen plan: the article mentions a 50 GB for 180 days offer in the volume grid, but later indicates that the largest Italy plan is 50 GB for 30 days. This difference deserves a check on the purchase page before payment.

The right volume depends mainly on how you use your phone during the trip. Simkeep shows a 3 GB for 15 days plan at 6.02 $ and a 5 GB for 30 days plan at 8.54 $, according to the rates reproduced in the article. For a two-week stay on the Etruscan Coast and in Maremma, 3 GB may be suitable if you mainly use maps, messages and occasional searches, and if you prepare routes offline. The 5 GB gives more leeway if you regularly consult maps, use online calls or frequently share photos. In both cases, prices are displayed in dollars: check the total in euros and any taxes before confirming.

To compare correctly, divide the price by the number of GB and also look at the validity period. The 5 GB plan is announced for 30 days, while the 3 GB one is valid for 15 days: if your stay lasts two weeks, the extra period is only valuable if you actually need it. Remember to download maps, reservations and practical information for your accommodations over Wi-Fi. If you are organizing a smart stay in Maremma, the internet expense can be compared to other travel costs; our article on the budget for eating in Maremma can help you think about the overall budget, without mixing the cost of the plan and that of meals.

Yes, the article advises checking the compatibility and unlocking of the phone before purchase, then installing the eSIM using the QR code received by email. It cites the iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or newer models as compatible with eSIM, but also specifies that the phone must be unlocked. Compatibility alone is therefore not enough: if the device is locked by a carrier, the purchased plan may not be usable. Check this point before paying, especially if you plan to use the same phone for your reservations, maps and trips in Tuscany.

For installation, connect to a Wi-Fi network or to another phone’s hotspot. On iPhone, the indicated path is Settings, Cellular Data, Add eSIM, Use QR Code. The article states that you have up to 180 days after purchase to activate the eSIM, but it is better to read the conditions displayed for your specific plan before relying on that delay. After scanning, test the mobile data connection and keep the QR code and confirmation email. If you install the eSIM at home, do not delete the profile if in doubt without checking Simkeep’s instructions. The refund mentioned in the article only concerns an activation failure; do not consider it a general guarantee if coverage is weak at your accommodation.

Everything depends on coverage at the exact place where you are staying, not just the coverage announced for Italy. Before departure, search for the village and then your accommodation’s address on the WINDTRE map. If the map only shows 3G or 2G at that address, the article warns that data will not work properly for the expected usage, especially online maps or videos. The situation can therefore differ between a village center, a country road and a remote agriturismo. Also check the stages of your route where you will need to consult a reservation or contact someone.

If you notice insufficient coverage, do not rely solely on the eSIM: download your maps and road directions offline, keep the accommodation’s contact details and consider a physical Italian SIM card or another local solution. For online calls and videos, plan to use them when you have a reliable connection; also do not confuse an « unlimited » plan with usage without any conditions, because the article recommends checking the limits before purchase. In practice, test the eSIM as soon as possible with available Wi-Fi, then with mobile data in a covered area. If you explore the surroundings of Saturnia, the Argentario or the Etruscan Coast, prepare your trips before leaving the last area where you have a stable connection.