How to Get Mobile Internet in Italy for Travelers What Option to Choose?

Latest update: April 2024

For travelers, having access to mobile internet in Italy is essential for staying connected, navigating, and accessing information on the go. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the various options for getting mobile internet in Italy, including coverage, speed, connectivity options, data rates, and more.

I. Mobile Internet Coverage and Speed in Italy

1. Italy Mobile Internet Coverage

Italy has a well-developed mobile network, with 4G coverage available in most urban areas and major tourist destinations. However, coverage can be spotty in rural areas and some smaller towns. The three main mobile operators in Italy are Vodafone, TIM, and WINDTRE. Based on OpenSignal in November 2023, you can compare the coverage of three mobile operators in Italy.

Vodafone:

Its 5G network is now live in over 120 cities and covers 38.1% of the population as of June 2023. This makes Vodafone one of the leading operators in 5G rollout in Italy.
Vodafone users had the best overall and 5G coverage experience in Italy based on user measurements, with scores of 5.35 and 7.22 points out of 10 respectively.

TIM:

TIM covers 98.2% of Italy’s population with 4G as of 2022, slightly behind Vodafone’s coverage.
Its 5G network currently reaches over 120 municipalities and more than 50% of the population. However, TIM lags behind Vodafone in 5G population coverage percentage.
TIM jointly shared first place for 5G coverage experience with Fastweb, both scoring 5.11 points out of 10.

WINDTRE:

WindTre covers 99% of the population with 4G.
Its 5G network is live in over 250 localities and covers more than 35% of the population as of mid-2022.

Vodafone is the best mobile operator in Italy for travelers who want the best possible coverage and speeds. However, it is also the most expensive operator. TIM is a good option for those who want a good balance of coverage, speed, and price. WINDTRE is the most affordable option, but it also has the slowest speeds and the least coverage.

2. Italy Mobile Internet Speed

Italy’s mobile internet speeds are some of the fastest in Europe. According to a recent study by Ookla, Italy’s average mobile internet speed is 40 Mbps. This is significantly faster than the global average of 25 Mbps.

In a recent Speedtest by Ookla, Fastweb was found to have the fastest mobile internet speeds in Italy, with with median download speeds of 100.10 Mbps and median upload speeds of 12.34 Mbps. Windtre was a close second at 70.97 speed score. Vodafone came in third, with an average download speed of 38 Mbps.

Based on the results of Speedtest, Vodafone is the best mobile operator in Italy for travelers who want the fastest possible mobile internet speeds.

II. What are Connectivity Options for Tourists to Italy?

There are a number of ways for tourists to connect to the internet in Italy. These include:

SIM card for Italy: traditional option to stay connected while traveling abroad
eSIM Italy: a new connectivity option suitable for only eSIM-supported device
Roaming with Italy operators: use your mobile phone in Italy without having to purchase a new SIM card. However, roaming charges can be expensive.
Public WiFi: available in many places in Italy, such as cafes, restaurants, and hotels. However, public WiFi can be slow and unreliable.
Pocket WiFi: a small portable device working like a WiFi hotspot, can be rented from mobile operators in Italy.

Here’s a table to compare each of these options:

Option	How it Works	Cost	Where to Buy	Convenience	Pros	Cons
SIM card country	A physical SIM card that you insert into your phone	Varies depending on the plan	Mobile operator shops or online	Convenient, but may require unlocking your phone	Local rates, good coverage	May require a local phone number
eSIM country	A digital SIM card that you download to your phone	Varies depending on the plan	Mobile operator websites or third-party providers	Very convenient, no physical SIM required	Local rates, good coverage, no need to unlock phone	Not all phones support eSIM
Roaming with Italy operators	Use your home SIM card and pay roaming charges	Can be expensive	Your home mobile operator	Very convenient, no need for a new SIM	No need for a new SIM or phone number	High roaming costs, speed may be limited
Public WiFi	Connect to free WiFi hotspots	Free, but may require purchases	Cafes, restaurants, hotels, public spaces	Convenient, but may require moving around	Free	Slow, unreliable, security concerns
Pocket WiFi	A portable device that creates a personal WiFi hotspot	Daily or weekly rental fees	Mobile operator shops or online	Convenient, portable WiFi	Good speeds, secure connection	Adds extra device to carry, limited battery life

To sum up, from the table above, for most travelers, a SIM card country from a major Italian mobile operator like Vodafone, TIM, or WINDTRE is the best option. Another great connectivity options is eSIM. You can buy from authorised eSIM reseller like GIGAGO. These will provide reliable coverage, fast speeds, and local data rates. Roaming can be convenient but expensive, while public WiFi can be unreliable and slow.

Tip:

Check your phone's compatibility before buying an eSIM.
It is recommended to buy eSIM before the trip.

II. Internet Rates in Italy – Is It Expensive?

Italy’s currency is the Euro (EUR). As of writing time on Saturday, February 24, 2024, the exchange rate is: 1 EUR = 1.08 USD. This means that 1 Euro is equivalent to approximately 1.08 US Dollars.

Here’s a table with the current mobile internet rates (internet tariff) for each option:

Option	Cost
SIM card country	10 – 30 GB for €10 – €25 ($12 – $27.5)
eSIM country (Vodafone)	30 GB for €25 ($27.5)
eSIM country (TIM)	50 GB for €24 ($26.5)
eSIM country (WINDTRE)	70 GB for €12 ()
Roaming with Italy Vodafone	€3.5 (approx. $3.78) per GB
Roaming with Italy TIM	€3 (approx. $3.24) per GB
Roaming with Italy Iliad	€2.5 (approx. $2.70) per GB
Public WiFi	Free, but may require purchases
Pocket WiFi	€5 (approx. $5.40) per day or €25 (approx. $27) per week

For tourists visiting Italy, the best option is to purchase a SIM card or eSIM from one of the mobile operators like Vodafone or TIM. These offer the most competitive rates and generous data allowances. Roaming can be expensive, while public WiFi is often slow and unreliable. Pocket WiFi can be a good option for groups or families, but the rental costs can add up over a longer trip.

III. Data SIM Card for Mobile Internet in Italy

A leading data SIM card is a good option for tourists to both stay connected and stay in touch with people back home through apps. Here are some SIM card plans from major Italian operators, with prices in local currency (EUR) and USD:

Vodafone Italy SIM Card Plans

30 GB data (15 GB in EU) + Unlimited social media + 600 minutes in all Europe – valid for 30 days = €24.99 EUR – ($27.5 USD)

TIM Italy SIM Card Plans

50 GB data only valid in Italy + 200 minutes worldwide = €14.99 EUR – ($16.5 USD)

WINDTRE Italy SIM Card Plans

Price: $15.50/month
Valid for 30 days upon activation with no contracts
Includes 70GB of 5G data with speeds up to 1Gbps

Note: The price is subject to change. Please contact provider to update new changes.

IV. Data eSIM for Italy – Best Option to Get Mobile Internet for Tourists

Tip: Before purchasing an eSIM, make sure your phone supports eSIM technology. Most modern smartphones, including iPhones and many Android devices, are eSIM-compatible.

Here are some of the pros of using an eSIM for mobile internet in Italy:

Convenience: You can purchase and activate an eSIM from the comfort of your home, without the need to find a mobile operator shop or deal with physical SIM cards.
Flexibility: eSIMs allow you to easily switch between plans or operators if you need more data or better coverage.
No need to unlock your phone: With an eSIM, you don’t need to worry about unlocking your phone to use a local SIM card.
Instant activation: Once you purchase an eSIM, it can be activated and ready to use within minutes.

You have two ways to buy eSIM: buy eSIM directly from your mobile operators and buy eSIM from third-party provider. Here are some sample eSIM plans from these operators. eSIM plan and SIM card plan are the same.

Vodafone Italy eSIM Plans

30 GB data (15 GB in EU) + Unlimited social media + 600 minutes in all Europe – valid for 30 days = €24.99 EUR – ($27.5 USD)

TIM Italy eSIM Plans

50 GB data only valid in Italy + 200 minutes worldwide = €14.99 EUR – ($16.5 USD)

WINDTRE Italy eSIM Plans

Price: $15.50/month
Valid for 30 days upon activation with no contracts
Includes 70GB of 5G data with speeds up to 1Gbps

Pros:

Convenience of purchasing and activating directly from the mobile operator.
Local rates and good coverage.

Cons:

Limited plan options compared to physical SIM cards.
Purchasing and activating can be more complex than using a third-party provider.

2. Buy eSIM from GIGAGO

GIGAGO is a prestigious third-party provider of eSIM services for international travelers. Here are some of the pros of buying an eSIM for Italy from GIGAGO:

Simple purchasing process: GIGAGO has a user-friendly website and purchasing process, making it easy to buy an eSIM for Italy.
Wide range of plans: GIGAGO offers a variety of data plans to suit different needs and budgets.
Instant activation: Once you purchase an eSIM from GIGAGO, it can be activated and ready to use within minutes.
Global coverage: GIGAGO has partnerships with mobile operators in over 190 countries, allowing for easy connectivity when traveling to other destinations.

How to buy eSIM from GIGAGO for Italy

Visit the GIGAGO website
Select Italy as your destination country.
Choose your desired eSIM plan and data allowance.
Complete the purchase process and provide your eSIM-compatible phone.
Follow the instructions to activate the eSIM on your phone.

Here are some eSIM plans from GIGAGO for Italy:

5 GB for 5 days: $17.07
10 GB for 15 days: $25.76
15 GB for 20 days: $38.28
50 GB for 30 days: $125.98

Pros:

Simplified purchasing process with a user-friendly website.
Wide range of data plans to choose from.
Instant activation and global coverage.

Cons:

Need compatible device with eSIM

V. FAQs

Q: Do I need to unlock my phone to use a local SIM card in Italy?

A: Yes, you will likely need to unlock your phone to use a local SIM card from an Italian mobile operator. However, if you use an eSIM, there is no need to unlock your phone.

Q: Can I use my home SIM card and roam in Italy?

A: Yes, you can use your home SIM card and roam in Italy. However, roaming charges can be expensive, so it’s generally more cost-effective to purchase a local SIM card or eSIM.

Q: Can I purchase a SIM card or eSIM at the airport in Italy?

A: Yes, most major Italian airports have mobile operator shops where you can purchase a SIM card or eSIM upon arrival.

Q: How long does it take to activate a SIM card or eSIM in Italy?

A: A physical SIM card may take up to a few hours to activate after purchase. An eSIM can usually be activated within minutes of purchase and is ready to use almost immediately.

Q: Can I use my mobile internet plan to make voice calls or send text messages?

A: Most mobile internet plans in Italy are data-only and do not include voice or text messaging services. If you need to make calls or send texts, you may need to purchase a separate voice/SMS plan or use internet-based apps like WhatsApp or Skype.

Q: Can I share my mobile internet connection with others or create a WiFi hotspot?

A: Yes, most mobile operators in Italy allow you to use your data connection to create a personal WiFi hotspot, which can be shared with others. However, be mindful of your data usage and any fair usage policies.

VI. Conclusion

Getting mobile internet in Italy as a traveler is a straightforward process, with several options to choose from. Coverage and speeds are generally good, especially in urban areas and major tourist destinations.

For most travelers, the best option is to purchase a SIM card or eSIM from a major Italian mobile operator like Vodafone, TIM, or WINDTRE. These will provide reliable coverage, fast speeds, and local data rates. eSIMs are particularly convenient, as they can be purchased and activated before your trip, ensuring you have mobile internet access as soon as you land.