THE TELEPHONE CARD
It can be bought from tobacconists, which also sell bus tickets, postcard and stamps. Tobacconist are distinguished by the sign of a white T against a black background. Telephone cards cost of 5, 10 and 15 thousand lire. You must ask for a 'carta telefonica' or a 'scheda telefonica'. You can also find coin-operated telephones in bars and restaurants.
Unless you call via AT&T, , MCI, Sprint or via other telephone companies that provide Direct Call Service, using coin-operated telephones to call abroad can be unpractical.

TELEPHONE SERVICES AND NUMBERS:
( To call outside Italy dial "00" (double zero) + the code of the country you want to reach. ( Call home direct. Pay later with Countrydirect service. Just dial 172 + ...

Australia Telstra 1061
Australia Optus 1161
Canada 1001
Hawaii 1030
Hong Kong 1852
Israel 1972
Japan 1081
New Zealand 1064

USA via AT&T 1011
USA via MCI 1022
USA via Sprint 1877

When calling from payphones insert a card or a coin which will be returned upon completion of the call.

COLLECT CALLS
10 Italy
15 Europe
170 Out of Europe

USEFUL NUMBERS:
Italian telephone directory: 12
Europe telephone directory: 176
Extra Europe telephone directory: 1790
Emergency: 112 & 113
Firemen: 115
Breakdown Service: 116
Traffic Police: 67691
Ambulance: 5510
Medical Service (house call): 482.67.41
Health Emergency: 118
The Samaritans: 7045.4444

TAXI:

3570; 4157; 4994; 6645