Cell Phone Information

Student Cells

Florence University of the Arts (FUA)
Cell Phone Information Packet

Fairfield University Students

Dear Student:

Student Cells, Inc. (SCI) provides FREE rental cell phones for all students enrolled through Fairfield University. Students will automatically be assigned a cell phone upon online Registration at www.studentcells.com. Cell phones allow school advisors and family members to contact students at any time, as most student apartments do not have land line phones.

Please follow the steps below to reserve your cell phone:

• Immediately - go to www.studentcells.com and click on the "Registration" button. Follow the instructions and complete the contract online prior to your departure. This must be done in order to receive your cell phone in Italy.

*Upon submitting your registration you will not receive a confirmation number. However, please be assured that your registration has been received through our secure automated online system and your information will be processed immediately.

• In addition, you will be required to bring with you when picking up your cell phone, an actual valid Visa or MasterCard (American Express and bank debit cards are no longer accepted).

Important: If you plan to use a credit that is not in your name, please bring the completed and signed "Responsibility for Cell Phone Payment" form with you to Italy to pick up your phone. To do that, go to www.studentcells.com and click on the "Registration Link" and download the proper form by clicking on the "no" button that appears when you are asked "is the cardholder the registrant" on the registration form. It is necessary to bring this form completed and signed by the cardholder, along with you when picking up your cell phone.

• Student Cells staff will provide Fall and Spring Semester students with their cell phone number approximately 2 weeks prior to the "Housing Move-in Date", via e-mail. Unfortunately, it is NOT possible to provide Summer session students with their cell phone numbers prior to their departure, due to the limited amount of days between sessions.
  
• Once you have arrived in Italy; you will pick up your cell phone at the Student Cells Helpdesk - located at Corso dei Tintori 29 red - 50122 Firenze. Fairfield students are NOT required to pay the usual security deposit or monthly rental fee, however, a signed "credit card slip" is needed for guarantee. You will then be given your reserved cell phone. You must bring your actual credit card, or if using your parents credit card, the "Responsibility for Cell Phone Payment" form - which is in lieu of a signed "credit card slip". The slip will be destroyed at the end of the payment history of the contract.
  
• During cell phone pick up, you will be given all the information regarding the "Student Cells helpdesk."

**If you do not use your cell phone, you will NOT be charged.

Should you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sharon Basilin - Cell Phone Coordinator - slb@studentcells.com

Additional Important Notes about Cell Phones in Italy

• Student shared apartments are not equipped with telephones. As a result of problems students encountered sharing telephone bills and some confusion over the charges, Student Cells, Inc. provides FREE rental cell phones for all students enrolled through Fairfield University. SCI offers an excellent plan at discounted rates. This allows each student to have his or her own telephone and be reachable at all times. In Italy, cell phones are generally less expensive to use than landlines.

• There is no charge to your credit card if you do not use the cell phone. However, if you do not choose to receive a cell phone, please be informed, there will be no telephone service in your apartment.

• All phones are international calling enabled. These are Nolkia GSM models, allowing you to make and receive phone calls all over Europe. The rates offered to you for calls to the U.S. will be lower than using your AT&T, MCI and SPRINT calling card, but the phone does allow you to use your card.

• Fairfield University students are NOT required to pay the usual security deposit or monthly rental fees - however, a signed "credit card slip" for guarantee is necessary and will be destroyed at the end of the payment history of the contract. Students using their parent's credit card must bring the "Responsibility for Cell Phone Payment" - which is in lieu of a signed "credit card slip".

• Please don't assume that because you have already mastered the use of cell phones in America that everything is the same. There are some differences. It is important that you pay attention to the instructions you are given both with the first information sheet that comes along with every cell phone, and also the information provided on the Student Cells website at www.studentcells.com regarding cell phone usage.

• Also, be especially careful of theft. You will be held responsible for the replacement cost of the phone (100 Euro) as well as all eventual phone calls by third parties, which occurred due to theft or loss of the cell phone from the time the phone is lost or stolen until the time it has been reported to 848-STOLEN. It is not possible to negotiate discounts for any reason.

• Lastly, even though SCI has some of the lowest rates available, the minutes do add up! Some students are pretty shocked when they get their bill and are reluctant to pay it. *Withheld transcripts for outstanding balances on cell phone accounts will not be released until accounts are paid in full.

Student Cells, Inc.
Price List 2007
04-01-07

* Fairfield Students DO NOT pay a monthly rental fee, or a security deposit. **
* Fairfield Students DO NOT pay any charges if the cell phone is unused. **
* Late Return Fee - If phone is not returned within 15 days of the return date stated on the contract: Euro 100.00
* Replacement cost for lost or stolen cells: Euro 100.00
* All the prices are in Euro, with taxes included.

**Extension of the Rental Period - If students need to keep their cell longer than the academic term, they will be charged a Rental Fee of Euro 10.00/month or fraction of it. The extension must exclusively be done by e-mail to italy.info@studentcells.com at least 30 days before the end of the academic term. It is not possible to extend rentals during summer sessions. A confirmation of the extension will be e-mailed to students along with ship back information. Students that keep their cell phone without authorization will charged of a "Late Return Fee" of 50.00 Euro on top the calls made and the Monthly Rental Fee.

Student Cells
Frequently Asked Questions
(04-01-07)

Calling codes to the U.S., and From the U.S.
Anyone calling you from the States must dial 011 39 before your cell phone number.

When you call the States from your cell phone in Italy, you must dial 001 + (area code) + number

What are the costs if I were to call the U.S. from Italy or someone was to call me in Italy from the U.S.?
If you were to call from Italy to the U.S., charges are Euro 0.30 per minute + the connection fee of Euro 0.15. Rates are calculated per minute but are billed per second. (i.e. a 20 second call costs Euro 0.10 + 0.15 Connection Fee upon answer).

If someone were to call you from the U.S. to Italy, it is Free - All Incoming Calls you receive, as long as you are physically in Italy, are FREE (including calls from the U.S.) When you leave Italy, incoming calls are not free.

If the charge is Euro 0.30 /minute, how much is this in U.S. Dollars?
Depending on the currency exchange rate for that day... Euro 0.30/minute, in U.S. Dollars is anywhere from .36-.397 cents (US dollars) per minute.

The price sheet is in Euro, where can I get prices in U.S. dollars?
You can get the daily conversion rates at the following website:
www.oanda.com

Am I charged for incoming calls while I'm in Italy?
All incoming calls you receive, as long as you are physically in Italy, are FREE (including calls from the U.S.) When you leave Italy, incoming call are not free.

What is the best and least expensive way for someone to call me from the U.S.?
Once you have picked up your cell phone - you can text message others to call you - since all incoming calls you receive, as long as you are physically in Italy, are FREE (including calls from the U.S.) When you leave Italy, incoming calls are not free and roaming charges then apply.

Parents: If my daughter/son called home from her/his cell phone, would that be 0.30 Euro/min (or about 36-39 $ cents/min)?
Yes, Euro 0.30/min, plus Euro 0.15 connection fee at answer. Also the rates are figured per minute but are billed per second (i.e. a 20 second call costs 0.10 Euro cents plus Euro 0.15 connection fee upon answer).

When will I be given my cell phone number?
Student Cells staff will provide Fall and Spring Semester students with their cell phone number approximately 2 weeks prior to the "Housing Move-in Date", via e-mail. Unfortunately, it is NOT possible to provide Summer session students with their cell phone numbers prior to their departure, due to the limited amount of days between sessions.

Where will I pick up my cell phone?
Once you have arrived in Italy, you will pick up your cell phone at the Student Cells Helpdesk - located at Corso dei Tintori 29 red, 50122 Firenze You must bring your actual credit card with you in order to receive the cell phone - OR if using your parents credit card, you must bring the "Responsibility for Cell Phone Payment" form.

Do I need written proof of my social security number?
No, the student will just need to provide their social security number when registering online at www.studentcells.com

What if I don't have a social security number?
ONLY in the event that you do not have a social security number – you can provide your passport number instead.

Billing: Are phone charges applied directly to the credit card given, or is a bill sent out?
Billing is done twice-monthly. The twice-monthly billing periods are 1-15 and 16-31 of each month. Your credit card statement will reflect your cell phone bill charges as "STUDENT CELLS ITALY".

Even though students may have returned home from their study abroad program and returned their cell phones - you will still receive a bill or bills for your last billing periods. For example: If you return home on 5/19 and your credit card statement has a charge from "Student Cells" on 5/26 and 6/13 - these charges are for calls they occurred before you returned the cell and returned home. If in question - you may view online billing statements at www.studentcells.com to match bills to charges, as sometimes billing occurs later than expected.

An itemized bill is posted twice monthly - at the middle (approx. 13th-15th for the bill of the second half of the previous month) and at the end of each month (approx. 25th-28th for the first 15 days of the current month) and is posted on the website for you to view. A general check of bills is made every two months and you are then charged the eventual calls omitted in the previous billings.

Late Billing: Student Cells cell phone carrier (TIM) may have delays in supplying billing details within the normal twice monthly billing period, due to late processing of roaming charges and calls. Bills may be posted and charged up to 150 days after the normal billing period.

If a student's twice monthly cell phone billing is rejected or declined for payment by their credit card company, they will be notified by the Student Cells staff via e-mail, if a charge is denied. The student has four (4) days to correct the problem or cell phone service will be turned off on the 5th day. The student will be placed on the "Transcript Hold List" until payment is complete.

If a student's final cell phone billing at the end of a term is rejected or declined by their credit card company, the student will be placed on the "Transcript Hold List" and payment will ONLY be accepted in the form of a Cashier's Check to settle the account, and before a transcript will be released.

Outstanding balances due exceeding 45 days will be referred to Student Cells, Inc. Collection Service - NCCS, 3700 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95405 USA, or Student Cells attorneys. In this event all further correspondence will be between the foregoing and the designated Collection Service, and any fees/interest in addition to the original debt shall be established by the Collection Service.

*Withheld transcripts for outstanding balances on cell phone accounts will not be released until accounts are paid in full.

What if I don't have a personal credit card?
If you do not have your own credit card you may use that of a parent or guardian. Please download the necessary "Responsibility for Cell Phone Payment" form in the "Registration" link at www.studentcells.com and bring this form completed and signed by the cardholder - when you pick up your cell phone. This form is required if you will be using your parents credit card for your cell phone charges.

What happens if the credit card number I provided for my cell phone charges is denied?
In the case that a credit card cannot be debited due to limits, cancellations or any other reason, service will be suspended after 4 days. Service can be continued once the payment is remitted and another means of billing is established.

During this time you will be placed on the program "Hold List" and your Transcript will be on HOLD until you have paid the outstanding cell phone charges.

How do I pay my bill?
The bills are posted on the website - www.studentcells.com - and the credit card is automatically charged at that time. Your credit card statement will reflect your cell phone bill charges as "STUDENT CELLS ITALY".

We accept Visa and MasterCard cards. American Express is no longer accepted, nor is electronic cards and bank debit cards. We are unable to accept debit cards due to the fact that we bill students twice monthly, and the student would have to physically be in front of the machine entering the Pin Number for each charges - this makes it impossible to charge debit cards.

Do I sign a contract?
By completing the registration form at www.studentcells.com the contract is legally valid and you don't need to sign anything. Read the content of the contract before you accept it and continue with the registration. If you don't agree with it, please discontinue the registration. If you process the registration and then realize that you don't agree with the contract, please e-mail to italy.info@studentcells.it that you want to cancel the reservation. You must do it before the cell phone is picked up.

Do I pay a Rental Fee and/or Security Deposit?

Semester and Summer Session students ENROLLED through Study Abroad Italy (SAI) or Fairfield University DO NOT pay a rental fee or security deposit, however, you will be required to sign a credit card slip for guarantee, which will then be destroyed at the end of the payment history of the contract.

Weekly, Monthly, and Special Group (excludes semester and summer session) students and parents visiting students ENROLLED through Study Abroad Italy (SAI) or Fairfield University WILL BE CHARGED a "Monthly Rental Fee" of Euro 10.00. This fee is charged to your credit card once monthly (even if the phone is used for less than one month) for the duration of the academic term. No other deposit fees will be billed. The monthly rental charge is billed separately from your twice monthly cell phone usage billings, and will also appear as "Student Cells" on your credit card statement. Euro 10.00 converts to approx. $13.00-$15.00 USD at today's current exchange rates. You will be required to sign a credit card slip for guarantee, which will then be destroyed at the end of the payment history of the contract.

Weekly, Monthly, and Special Group students, as well as all students NOT ENROLLED through Study Abroad Italy or Fairfield University WILL BE CHARGED a "Monthly Rental Fee" of Euro 15.00. This fee is charged to your credit card once monthly (even if the phone is used for less than one month) for the duration of the academic term. No other deposit fees will be billed. The monthly rental charge is billed separately from your twice monthly cell phone usage billings, and will also appear as "Student Cells" on your credit card statement. Euro 15.00 converts to approx. $20.00-$21.00 USD at today's current exchange rates. You will be required to sign a credit card slip for guarantee, which will then be destroyed at the end of the payment history of the contract.

When will my credit card be debited?
Charges to the given credit card may be debited within a 150-day period of each bill. Outstanding balances due exceeding 45 days will be referred to Student Cells, Inc. Collection Service - NCCS, 3700 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95405 USA, or Student Cells attorneys. In this event all further correspondence will be between the foregoing and the designated Collection Service, and any fees/interest in addition to the original debt shall be established by the Collection Service.

*Withheld transcripts for outstanding balances on cell phone accounts will not be released until accounts are paid in full.

The rates for calls are in Euro, will I be billed in Euro or in U.S. Dollars?
Bills will be in Euro, however, you will be charged in U.S. Dollars for the converted relative amount in Euro.

Is there any way I can look at my billing statement online?
Please go to "Check your bill" at www.studentcells.com and follow the directions. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at italy-info@studentcells.com or call (+39) 055 234 5322.

Parents: If my daughters/sons flight gets delayed or cancelled to Florence, Rome, Syracuse or Milan, how can she/he call home to let me know?
She/he may use any pay phone in the airport, buy an Italian calling card (available in any drugstore), make a collect call, or use a credit card (however, in Italy very few public payphones accept credit cards even in the airports) - instructions for collect and credit card calls are generally found on the payphones.

Parents: I really want to know how my daughter/son can call home before she/he receives the cell phone.

She/he may use any pay phone in the airport, buy an Italian calling card (available in any drugstore), make a collect call, or use a credit card (however, in Italy very few public payphones accept credit cards even in the airports) - instructions for collect and credit card calls are generally found on the payphones.

Parents: I want to know that my daughter/son has arrived safely - can she/he use an American Express, Visa or MasterCard on any pay phone?
Yes, however, using a calling card is cheaper and easier. She/he may use any pay phone in the airport, buy an Italian calling card (available in any drugstore), make a collect call, or use a credit card (however, in Italy very few public payphones accept credit cards even in the airports) - instructions for collect and credit card calls are generally found on the payphones.

It says all incoming calls are free - does that mean from U.S. and her/his classmates in Italy, or a friend on another cell phone?
YES it is correct: These are all incoming calls you receive, as long as you are physically in Italy, are FREE (including calls from the U.S.) When you leave Italy, incoming calls are not free.

Can I just take my own cell phone and change the SIM card in Italy?
Generally, it's not possible to use a US cell phone in Italy due to the different band frequency and because many carriers (Cingular, T-Mobile, etc.) block the cell and do not allow you to use a different SIM card. However, if you have a new tri-band phone - not blocked by your carrier - and you would like to use your own phone, we can simply supply you the SIM card. Charges will remain the same.

Would it be best just to get a cell phone with a regular company in Florence, Rome, or Syracuse, or Milan?
Student Cells, Inc. provides FREE rental cell phones for all students enrolled through Fairfield University and offers an excellent plan at discounted rates.

Is there a minimum monthly traffic to pay?
No, there is not a minimum of calls to make. If you do not make any calls, you will not be charged.

Am I able to use the phone all over Europe?
When a student travels in Europe during the semester and uses his/her cell phone, international roaming charges apply. We suggest you visit www.studentcells.com before leaving Italy to check exact rates. Roaming charges to receive a call are about 0.30 Euro/min.

What if my cell phone is LOST or STOLEN?

As soon as you realize that your cell phone is lost or stolen, you must immediately call:
848-STOLEN

The service is available 24/7 and there will be a one-time charge of Euro .30 for each call.

If the 848-STOLEN number is busy or unavailable the student must continue calling until he/she reaches the operator and requests that the phone be shut off/disabled. Students may also call during business hours only (Mon-Fri. 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) 335-714-6000 (outside Italy +39 335 714 6000).

If you don't remember the above numbers, ask a schoolmate to call your Advisor or Program Coordinator, or if this is not possible, please go in an internet place and retrieve information on www.studentcells.com

This must be done in order to disable the use of the cell phone # by third parties and to stop charges to the number!!

Student Cells staff will provide you with a new cell and you will be able to keep the phone number you received initially.

Remember that reporting your lost/stolen cell to Police doesn't block the line and you must do it separately as soon as possible!!!

The student will be responsible for the payment of all eventual phone calls by third parties, which occurred due to the theft, or loss of the cell phone from the time the phone is lost or stolen, up until the time the rental agent is notified.

You will be charged Euro 100.00 for the replacement cost of the cell phone = Replacement Cost Fee. The same fee is applied if you don't return the phone back within 15 days of the return date stated on the contract = Late Return Fee

What if my credit card is LOST or STOLEN?
First - block your credit card by calling the Italian green number:

Visa: 800-819-014
Mastercard: 800-870-866

(if you are outside Italy, check on www.visa.com or www.mastercard.com )

An English speaking operator is always available. Then file a report to any Police or "Carabineer" Station and contact the Student Cells staff. As soon as you get your new credit card, you will be asked to sign a new credit card slip for guarantee and the old one will be destroyed. This will be done through the "Student Cells helpdesk" in Florence.

What are the rates if I need to use the cell phone outside of Italy?
When a student travels in Europe during the semester and uses their cell phone... roaming charges are applied, and are about 0.36 Euro/min to receive a call and about 2.10 Euro/min to call the States. We suggest you visit www.studentcells.com before leaving Italy to check exact rates.

Is it possible to use the cell phone for an internet connection while I'm in Italy?
Since this is rather expensive, we suggest that you go to a local internet café to use a computer or connect with your laptop for approx. 3.20 Euro/hour. Internet Train is the most famous café chain in Italy. Internet facilities are also available at the school.

Return of the cell phone at the end of the term:
At the end of the academic term students MUST return the cell phone in its original condition (with phone charger, SIM card and plastic bag). Missing items will be charged separately according the official price list

Cell phones will be SHUT OFF at the end of the term (the day after move-out) UNLESS:

- Special arrangements have been made ahead of time (at least 30 days in advance of the normal return date)

- The student is continuing onto the next term.

In the case of damage or destruction of the cell phone, the customer agrees to pay the repair costs or replacement costs of the cell phone at Euro 100.00.

Cells must be returned as follows:

Florence (all programs): Student Cells Office, 29/r, Corso dei Tintori, Florence 50122
Syracuse: Ask your Program Coordinator
Rome, Milan, Siena and other cities: ask your Program Coordinator.

Extension of the rental period

If students need to keep their cell longer than the academic term, they will be charged a Rental Fee of Euro 10.00/month or fraction of it. The extension must exclusively be done by e-mail to italy.info@studentcells.com at least 30 days before the end of the academic term. It is not possible to extend rentals during summer sessions. A confirmation of the extension will be e-mailed to students along with ship back information. Students that keep their cell phone without authorization will charged of a "Late Return Fee" of 50.00 Euro on top the calls made and the Monthly Rental Fee.

Return from a different city

If students were to return by shipping it, please follow the instructions below:

- Shipping from Italy -

Use "Posta Celere +1" service only available in any Italian Post Office. The cost is about Euro 10.0. DO NOT include in the package the information card (credit card size) that was given to you when you picked up your cell phone in Italy - as this card includes your cell number, PIN Code and PUK Code.

- Shipping outside Italy -

Use int'l Courier service only such as FedEx, DHL and UPS and DO NOT use parcel post because it's insecure and subjected to theft.

To avoid being charged extra Custom fees, you must declare: "Used rented phone, value USD$10.00 for custom purpose only" and DO NOT include in the package the information card (credit card size) that was given to you when you picked up your cell phone in Italy - as this card includes your cell number, PIN Code and PUK Code.

Shipping address

Cells must be shipped to this address:

Student Cells Help Desk
29/r, Corso dei Tintori
50122 Florence, Italy

Responsibility in shipping back the cells

Students deciding not to return their cell phone in person - but through a third person or by shipping it, will be held responsible for any kind of damage occurring to the cell and for all the problems arising with this choice (lost/stolen, replacement costs, illegal call costs, courier and postal costs, custom fees and taxes, handling costs, etc.)

Claims in shipping back the cells

No claims, no complaints, no negotiations for extra charges are accepted.

Extra charges

Custom fees, late return fees and all office and handling costs will be charged separately. Clients will be e-mailed about the costs. The amounts will not appear on the online statements.

Lost parts charges

Battery charger Euro 15.00 & Plastic bag Euro 3.00

What if I don't return the cell phone?
If you don't return your cell phone according to the above mentioned procedure, it will be considered as lost or stolen and a replacement fee of 100.00 Euro will apply. The "Replacement Cost Fee" includes the cost of the new cell phone, the cost of a new SIM card, the processing of number blocking, file reporting and taxes.

What if I don't return the wall charger?
If you don't return the wall charges, you will be charged a "Replacement Fee" of 15.00 Euro, for the plastic bag the charge is 3.00 Euro.

Text Messaging:
If the student, while in Italy, sends a text message from Italy to an Italian cell phone - the rate is .15 Euros

If the student, while in Italy, sends a text message from Italy to a non-Italian cell phone - the rate is .30 per text message.

This is a one time fee per text message and there are no other fees added.

The cost of each text message is for a text of 160 digits (including spaces, commas, etc.) If a student composes a message longer than 160 digits, then it will share messages of 160 digits each (e.g. a message of 460 digits will be shared in 3 messages - 2 messages of 160 digits, and 1 message of 140 digits = .15 Euro x 3.

Text Messaging Within Italy - Euro .15

Text Message Outside Italy - the cost is Euro 0.415 in Zone 1, and Euro 0.45 in Zone 2. Please check on www.studentcells.com

Can I use a calling card on my cell phone?
Yes, you can use both Italian and International calling cards on your cell phone. However, remember that calling cards only give you a few minutes of talk-time when used on cell phones. Also, we discourage the use of calling cards because many of them are fraudulent and the timing and rates are often not true. The calls to Italian 800 numbers are toll free - while the calls to the local numbers usually starting with 02 or 06 are billed as local calls. You can do this at your own risk and you will be responsible for eventual losses or problems with their use.

Can I use a calling card on my cell phone?
It is not possible to call an 800 number In the States. These numbers are toll free inside the States ONLY. If you call them from Italy, you are billed as for a normal call to the States.

How much am I charged for calls made with my lost/stolen cell?
It's not easy to answer this question as you never know who will steal your cell phone! We have seen that in a few hours directly following the theft, many international calls are made, resulting in up to 100 Euro per hour of charges....Please remember - if you phone is lost or stolen to report it immediately to 848-STOLEN

What if I decide NOT to rent the Student Cells phone while studying abroad in Italy?

Remember - Student Cells staff has provided you with a cell phone for security purposes, convenience, and to allow Admissions Officers and Program Coordinators to reach you in an emergency. It is best to use the cell phone Student Cells, Inc. has provided since the rates are discounted. If you are still concerned with costs...remember, all incoming calls you receive, as long as you are physically in Italy, are FREE (including calls from the U.S.) When you leave Italy, incoming calls are not free.

After considering all of this you choose not to use the cell phone provided by Student Cells, Inc. for your calls...please keep this in mind for your calls from Italy to the U.S. - It is cheaper to buy a calling card in Italy than purchasing one in the U.S. and bringing it with you to Italy. Usually calling cards sold in Italy are more convenient.

Students who opt not to rent a cell phone should consider using a calling card. For local calls within Italy or for International calls, an Italian calling card can be purchased at any "Tabacci Shop" in Italy. A reliable brand is "USA Phone Card." This card costs 5 Euro and gives you 2.5-3 hours of talk time from a land line phone.