Getting connected in Italy is one of your first practical priorities after arriving. Italy’s telecommunications infrastructure has improved significantly in recent years, with fiber optic coverage expanding rapidly in cities and fixed wireless bridging gaps in rural areas. This guide covers internet, mobile phone, television, and streaming services from an American expat’s perspective.
Internet (Connessione Internet)
Connection Types
FTTH (Fiber to the Home): The fastest option, delivering speeds of 1 Gbps to 2.5 Gbps. Available in most major cities and expanding to medium-sized towns through Open Fiber (the national fiber infrastructure company) and TIM’s network. Check coverage at AGCOM (the Italian communications authority) or directly on provider websites.
FTTC (Fiber to the Cabinet): Fiber reaches the street cabinet, with the final connection to your home running over existing copper lines. Speeds of 100 to 200 Mbps. Available in most urban and many suburban areas. Adequate for streaming and remote work, though upload speeds are limited (typically 20 Mbps).
ADSL: Older copper-based technology offering 7 to 20 Mbps. Still the only option in some rural areas. Declining as fiber and FWA expand.
FWA (Fixed Wireless Access): Wireless broadband delivered via an outdoor antenna, offering 30 to 100+ Mbps. Increasingly popular in areas without fiber coverage. Providers include Eolo (the largest FWA provider in Italy, particularly strong in rural areas), Linkem/Tiscali, and mobile operators offering FWA plans.
Major Providers and Pricing
TIM (Telecom Italia): The former state monopoly and largest provider. Extensive coverage including FTTH, FTTC, and ADSL. Plans from EUR 25 to EUR 35/month for fiber. Generally reliable but customer service can be challenging.
Vodafone Italia: Strong fiber and mobile convergence. Plans from EUR 25 to EUR 30/month. Good bundled offers with mobile.
Fastweb: Competitive fiber provider, often the fastest in speed tests. Plans from EUR 25 to EUR 30/month. Known for straightforward pricing.
WindTre: Merged Wind and Tre networks. Plans from EUR 23 to EUR 28/month. Competitive pricing, particularly for mobile-internet bundles.
Iliad: French newcomer that disrupted the Italian market. Recently launched fiber home internet at EUR 20 to EUR 25/month with transparent, no-surprise pricing.
Sky WiFi: Premium fiber offering from Sky Italia. Plans from EUR 25 to EUR 30/month. Often bundled with Sky TV subscriptions.
Most plans include a router (usually on a monthly rental of EUR 3 to EUR 6/month or included free with a commitment period of 24 months). Installation is typically free or EUR 39 to EUR 99 depending on the connection type and promotions. Activation takes 10 to 30 days depending on the provider and connection type. FTTH installations may require scheduling a technician visit.
Important Notes for Americans
Italian internet contracts often include a commitment period (typically 24 months) with an early termination fee. Under AGCOM regulations, the maximum early termination cost is capped, but read the fine print. Compare plans on aggregator sites like Facile.it or SOStariffe.it before committing. You will need your codice fiscale and an Italian bank account (IBAN) for direct debit to sign up with any provider.
Mobile Phone (Telefonia Mobile)
Providers and Plans
Italy’s mobile market is competitive, with prices significantly lower than the U.S.
TIM: Largest network with the best overall coverage, including rural areas. Plans from EUR 10 to EUR 20/month for generous data (50 to 150 GB), unlimited calls and texts.
Vodafone: Strong urban coverage and international roaming. Plans from EUR 10 to EUR 15/month.
WindTre: Good coverage and competitive pricing. Plans from EUR 8 to EUR 15/month.
Iliad: The budget disruptor. Plans at EUR 8 to EUR 10/month for 150 to 300 GB data, unlimited calls and texts. Transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Uses WindTre’s network for coverage in areas without its own infrastructure.
ho. Mobile (Vodafone subsidiary): Budget brand with plans from EUR 7 to EUR 10/month. Uses Vodafone’s network.
PosteMobile (Poste Italiane): Budget plans from EUR 6 to EUR 8/month. Uses Vodafone’s network.
Getting a SIM
Purchase a prepaid SIM (SIM prepagata) at a provider’s store, authorized reseller, or tabaccheria. You need your passport and codice fiscale. Activation costs vary: EUR 0 to EUR 10 depending on the provider and promotions. eSIM is available from TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, and Iliad for compatible phones. Italian SIM cards include EU roaming at no extra cost (under EU regulations), so your plan works throughout Europe.
Keeping Your U.S. Number
If you want to keep your U.S. number while living in Italy, consider porting it to Google Voice (free for calls and texts within the U.S., works over WiFi/data) or a VoIP service. This lets you receive U.S. calls and texts on your Italian phone using your U.S. number without maintaining an expensive U.S. carrier plan.
Television
Free-to-Air Channels (Digitale Terrestre)
Italy’s free digital terrestrial television offers a wide selection. RAI (Radiotelevisione Italiana) is the public broadcaster, funded partly by the canone RAI (TV license fee) of EUR 90/year, automatically added to your electricity bill. RAI operates Rai 1, Rai 2, Rai 3, Rai News 24, and several thematic channels. Mediaset (owned by the Berlusconi family’s Fininvest) operates Canale 5, Italia 1, and Rete 4. La7 is known for news and political programming. You need a compatible TV or a decoder box (decoder digitale terrestre, EUR 20 to EUR 50) to receive free channels.
Pay TV and Streaming
Sky Italia: The premium pay TV provider, offering cinema, sports (including Serie A football), entertainment, and documentaries. Plans from EUR 15 to EUR 45/month depending on packages. Sky Q and Sky Glass are the current hardware platforms.
DAZN: Holds primary Serie A football streaming rights. Plans from EUR 15 to EUR 45/month. Essential for football fans.
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+: All available in Italy with Italian and English-language content. Prices are similar to U.S. rates. Netflix starts at EUR 5.49/month (with ads) to EUR 17.99/month (Premium). Amazon Prime (EUR 49.99/year) includes Prime Video plus delivery benefits.
VPN considerations: Accessing U.S.-only content libraries (HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock) requires a VPN. Many Americans in Italy use VPN services to access content from their U.S. subscriptions. Note that streaming services actively work to block VPN usage, so results vary.
Practical Tips
Get your mobile SIM on day one. It is the gateway to everything else, including two-factor authentication for bank accounts and government services. For internet, check fiber availability at your specific address before signing a lease. Coverage varies street by street in Italian cities. If you work remotely, prioritize FTTH or fast FTTC. FWA and ADSL may not support video calls and file transfers reliably. Bundle mobile and home internet with the same provider for discounts of EUR 5 to EUR 10/month. The canone RAI is mandatory if you have an electricity contract, regardless of whether you own a TV. You can request an exemption if you truly do not possess any TV-capable device, but the process requires a formal declaration. For setting up your other essential services, see our utilities guide.