`Exactly .
However , having found himself in this position , the best option for the OP might be to buy a PAYG SIM card for one of the local Italian networks ( as long as his handset isn't locked to his home network ) and top it up with enough credit to meet his needs for telephony .
It is important , at the same time , that he must disable data , otherwise the credit will be quickly depleted , and use wifi only for data and internet .
It is an awkward situation , can any of the VM staff advise whether there are partnered networks in Italy , whose SIMS might work on a phone locked to Virgin ?