Certified Electronic Mail (PEC) represents a milestone in Italian digitalization, combining the tradition of the registered letter with return receipt with the innovation of digital communication. In this scenario, TIM, one of the main players in the telecommunications market, offers a PEC service designed for both individuals and the business world. This tool not only simplifies formal communications but fits into a cultural context, the Mediterranean and specifically the Italian one, where the legal value of a document is fundamental. Italy, in fact, is a pioneer in Europe in the adoption of this system, which today counts nearly 16 million active mailboxes.
The evolution does not stop at national borders. With the European eIDAS Regulation, PEC is preparing to become a qualified communication tool at the continental level, known as REM (Registered Electronic Mail). This transition, expected between 2025 and 2026, marks a crucial step towards a single digital market, strengthening the security and interoperability of certified communications. In this complete guide, we will explore how to activate and configure TIM’s PEC, analyzing its features, costs, and its role as a bridge between tradition and the European digital future.
What is PEC and why is it important
Certified Electronic Mail is much more than a simple email. It is a communication system that gives messages the same legal value as a registered letter with return receipt, as established by Presidential Decree No. 68 of February 11, 2005. This means that the receipts of sending and delivery constitute legal proof in the event of a dispute, certifying the date and time of delivery. Unlike a traditional email, the service provider certifies the sending and delivery, guaranteeing the integrity and unalterability of the message and its attachments. Since 2020, PEC has become mandatory for all businesses, professionals, and public administrations in Italy, consolidating itself as an indispensable tool for official communications.
The advantages are evident: cost-effectiveness compared to paper tools, immediacy, and environmental sustainability. It is estimated that the use of PEC in Italy generated economic benefits of approximately 3.5 billion euros between 2008 and 2022, with a forecast of a further 2.5 billion by 2026. These numbers highlight not only the efficiency of the tool but also a growing digital culture, where trust in secure electronic transactions is increasingly rooted.
TIM’s PEC offer for individuals and business
TIM proposes flexible Certified Electronic Mail solutions, designed to meet the needs of different types of users, from private citizens to professionals and businesses. The offer is mainly articulated in monthly and annual plans, accessible for both mobile and fixed-line customers. The service, technically provided by Trust Technologies, a TIM Group company, includes essential features such as antivirus and antispam to ensure communication security.
For private customers, TIM offers plans charged to residual credit (for mobile lines) or on the invoice (for fixed lines), with storage space ranging from 1GB to 2GB depending on the chosen plan. An interesting feature is the notification via SMS or ordinary email upon receipt of a new certified message, a small detail that improves the user experience. For the Business segment, TIM provides more structured solutions such as Multi-user or Application PEC, designed for small and medium-sized enterprises that need to manage a larger volume of communications or integrate PEC with their management systems. These offers include more storage space and the ability to authorize multiple users to access the same mailbox.
Guide to activating TIM PEC
Activating a PEC mailbox with TIM is a simple process accessible through various channels. TIM customers, both with rechargeable mobile lines and fixed lines, can proceed with activation directly online. The procedure requires access to the MyTIM customer area with your credentials. Once authenticated, you can choose the desired PEC plan and complete the request. The created PEC address will typically have the format firstname.lastname@timpec.it. In case of homonymy, a progressive number will be added to ensure the uniqueness of the address.
As an alternative to the online procedure, it is possible to activate the service by visiting a TIM Store or by contacting customer service at 119 (for mobile customers) or 187 (for fixed network customers). Upon completion of activation, you will receive a confirmation email containing the credentials for the first access to the new PEC mailbox. It is important to note that only one TIM PEC mailbox can be activated on each line, whether mobile or fixed.
How to configure TIM PEC on clients and devices
Once activated, the TIM PEC mailbox can be consulted in several ways: via the Webmail accessible from any browser, or through the dedicated TIM PEC app, available for Android and iOS devices. The app allows convenient management on the go, with push notifications for new incoming messages. However, for those who prefer to integrate PEC with their usual work tools, it is possible to configure it on the most common email clients such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird.
Configuration requires entering specific parameters for incoming and outgoing mail servers. You can choose between the IMAP protocol, which keeps messages on the server and synchronizes them across all devices, or POP3, which downloads messages to the local device. The general parameters provided by TIM are:
- Incoming Mail Server (IMAP): imaps.pectim.it (or in.telecompost.it) with port 993 and SSL/TLS encryption.
- Incoming Mail Server (POP3): pop3s.pectim.it with port 995 and SSL/TLS encryption.
- Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP): smtps.pectim.it (or smtp.telecompost.it) with port 465 and SSL/TLS encryption, with authentication required.
The username for access coincides with the full PEC address (e.g., mario.rossi@timpec.it). For optimal management, especially if using multiple devices, the choice of the IMAP protocol is generally recommended.
From Italian PEC to European REM
Certified Electronic Mail, despite being an Italian excellence, has a limit: its legal value is fully recognized only within national borders. To overcome this barrier and align with a single digital market, the European Union has defined, through the eIDAS Regulation (electronic IDentification Authentication and Signature), the foundations for a certified electronic delivery service valid at the community level. Thus, REM (Registered Electronic Mail) is born, the European evolution of our PEC.
The transition to REM, which should be completed between 2025 and 2026, will make certified communications interoperable throughout the EU. The fundamental difference between the current PEC and the future REM lies in the verification of the mailbox holder’s identity. To comply, users will have to complete two steps: the certain recognition of identity (via SPID, CIE, or other methods) and the activation of two-factor authentication. This process will not only extend the legal validity of communications to the European level but will also increase their security level, guaranteeing with certainty who sends and who receives the message.
- Choose the ideal TIM PEC plan
Evaluate TIM offers for individuals or businesses. Plans include antivirus, antispam, and variable storage. You can choose to charge to residual credit or invoice.
- Activate the mailbox from the MyTIM area
Access the MyTIM customer area with your credentials. Select the desired PEC offer and complete the request to create your firstname.lastname@timpec.it address.
- Access via Webmail or dedicated App
Consult your new PEC mailbox via the Webmail browser or download the TIM PEC app for Android and iOS to manage certified messages on the go.
- Configure PEC on external clients
To use Outlook or Thunderbird, set up the mail servers. The IMAP protocol is recommended to synchronize mail across all devices instead of POP3.
- Set IMAP and SMTP parameters
Use imaps.pectim.it (port 993) for incoming mail and smtps.pectim.it (port 465) for sending. Make sure to enable SSL/TLS encryption and authentication.
- Prepare PEC for the REM standard
For future European validity, perform identity recognition via SPID or CIE and activate two-factor authentication to increase security.
In Brief (TL;DR)
In this complete guide, you will discover all the necessary steps to request, activate, and configure your Certified Electronic Mail (PEC) mailbox with TIM, both via webmail and on your devices.
Discover the complete procedure to activate your Certified Electronic Mail mailbox with TIM and easily configure it on all your devices.
Discover the steps to easily configure it on the main email clients and to use it via the convenient webmail.
Conclusions
TIM’s PEC confirms itself as a solid and versatile tool, deeply rooted in the Italian digital fabric and ready for the European future. It represents a bridge between the cultural tradition that attributes great importance to the legal value of communications and the technological innovation that pushes towards dematerialization and efficiency. Simple activation and various configuration modes make it accessible to a wide audience of users, from citizens who need to communicate with the Public Administration, to professionals and companies for whom it is a daily work tool. Handling common issues, such as the need to change the password to make it secure or dealing with phishing attempts, is supported by robust security protocols. The imminent transition to the European REM only increases its value, projecting an infrastructure born in Italy onto an international stage and confirming our country’s role as a forerunner in the digitalization of trust services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What legal value does TIM PEC have?
TIM PEC, like any other Certified Electronic Mail compliant with Italian regulations (DPR No. 68 of February 11, 2005), has the same legal value as a registered letter with return receipt. This means that the receipts of acceptance and delivery, generated by the sender’s and recipient’s mail providers, constitute legal proof enforceable against third parties in the event of a dispute. They certify the date and time of sending and delivery, as well as guaranteeing the integrity of the message content and any attachments.
What happens to my TIM PEC if I change telephone operator?
If the TIM PEC is associated with a mobile line and the number is ported to another operator, the PEC mailbox will be deactivated. This is an important condition to consider, as the service is tied to remaining a TIM customer. However, if you return to TIM in the future, you can request the restoration of the same PEC account, provided the request is made within 5 years from the date of service termination. For PECs associated with a fixed line, the conditions are similar and linked to maintaining the connectivity contract.
Can I use TIM PEC to send emails to non-certified addresses?
Yes, it is possible to send a message from a TIM PEC mailbox to an ordinary email address (PEO). However, in this case, the system can only generate the acceptance receipt (which certifies the sending by the sender), but not the delivery receipt. Consequently, the communication will not have the full legal value of a registered letter with return receipt, as the certification of delivery to the recipient’s mailbox is missing. Full legal validity is obtained only when the communication takes place between two PEC mailboxes.
What is the difference between IMAP and POP3 protocols for PEC configuration?
IMAP and POP3 are two protocols for receiving email. The choice impacts how messages are handled. The IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) keeps messages on the mail server and synchronizes them in real-time on all devices (PC, smartphone, tablet) from which the mailbox is accessed. It is the ideal solution for those who check mail from multiple locations. The POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3), on the other hand, downloads messages from the server to the single device on which it is configured, usually deleting them from the server itself. It is a more suitable choice if you use a single computer to read mail. For flexible PEC management, IMAP is almost always the recommended choice. For more details, you can consult our guide on IMAP and POP.
What must I do to adapt my TIM PEC to the European REM standard?
Adapting Italian PEC to the European REM (Registered Electronic Mail) standard is a process led by certified mail providers to comply with the eIDAS Regulation. To make your TIM PEC valid at the European level, you will need to follow two fundamental steps when your provider requests it. The first is the certain recognition of your identity as the mailbox holder, which can take place via digital identity tools such as SPID or the Electronic Identity Card (CIE). The second step is the activation of two-step verification (or two-factor authentication), which adds an extra layer of security to accessing your mailbox. These steps will ensure interoperability and full legal value of your communications throughout the European Union.
Frequently Asked Questions
The payment method depends on the type of telephone line you possess. If you are a mobile customer, the cost is deducted directly from your residual credit, while fixed-line customers will see the charge appear on their regular telephone invoice. This integrated billing system simplifies management without requiring separate credit card payments.
For private individuals, the storage space generally varies between 1GB and 2GB, depending on the specific plan selected during activation. However, business customers and small to medium enterprises can access multi-user solutions that may offer different storage capabilities to manage larger volumes of certified documents.
No, TIM allows the activation of only one Certified Electronic Mail account per telephone line, whether it is mobile or fixed. To obtain additional certified email addresses, you would need to associate them with distinct telephone numbers or contracts.
To set up an external client, you must use imaps.pectim.it with port 993 for the incoming server and smtps.pectim.it with port 465 for the outgoing server. It is crucial to select SSL or TLS encryption for both servers and enable authentication for outgoing mail to ensure the service works correctly.
You can access your mailbox on the go by downloading the dedicated TIM PEC app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices. Alternatively, you can configure the account on the standard email app of your smartphone using the IMAP parameters, or simply log in via the webmail interface using a mobile browser.
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