Mobile and Internet in Italy: a guide for newcomers

Our English-speaking advisors can help you find the right mobile or internet plan in Italy and take care of the activation. Foreign IBANs are accepted on selected offers.

Telecommunications providers in Italy and how they compare

The Italian telecom market is dominated by five main operators that compete on both mobile and home internet. Three of them (TIM, Vodafone, WindTre) inherit large legacy networks; Iliad shook up the mobile space in 2018 with flat prices and is now rolling out fibre; Fastweb is the long-standing challenger on fixed lines and has been expanding aggressively on mobile.

The four operators historically active on both fixed and mobile are TIM, Vodafone, WindTre and Fastweb (foreign IBANs accepted). Iliad joined later and is now a major player on mobile and a growing presence on FTTH.

Operator	Services	Good to know
TIM	Mobile and home internet	Italy’s historical incumbent, owns the copper and FTTC network, strong fibre coverage in cities.
Vodafone	Mobile and home internet	Wide FTTH footprint via Open Fiber, well-regarded mobile network with international roaming options.
WindTre	Mobile and home internet	Both fixed and mobile, often the cheapest convergent (fixed + mobile) bundles.
Iliad	Mobile and home internet	No-contract SIM-only plans at flat prices, gigabit FTTH in covered areas.
Fastweb	Mobile and home internet	Fixed and mobile, foreign IBANs accepted, strong on FTTH and gigabit speeds.

On paper, mobile coverage is similar across the four legacy networks (TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, Iliad uses WindTre roaming on parts of its footprint). On fixed internet, FTTH (full fibre) availability depends on your address: in city centres you usually have a choice of two or three providers, while smaller towns may only have FTTC (fibre to the cabinet) or in some cases ADSL or fixed wireless (FWA).

Mobile phone guide

We strongly recommend getting an Italian SIM card as soon as you arrive. Most Italian utility, bank and delivery services request an Italian mobile number to send OTP codes, and many won’t even let you complete an online sign-up without one.

How to get an Italian SIM card

Italian SIM cards are sold by all major operators directly online, in branded shops, and in many supermarkets and tobacconists. To activate a SIM, you need:

• A valid ID (passport or EU/UK identity card).
• Your Italian tax code (codice fiscale).
• A delivery address in Italy if you order online.
• A payment method (Italian or, on some plans, foreign IBAN, or a credit/debit card for top-ups).

If you order online, the SIM is usually delivered within a few business days and is activated either by the courier or via a video identification call.

Italian SIMs and your phone

Italy, like the rest of Europe, uses the GSM standard for mobile networks (2G/3G being progressively switched off, with 4G and 5G now the norm). Any unlocked European, UK or US handset will work with an Italian SIM, just make sure your phone is not carrier-locked before you travel. eSIMs are also widely supported by TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, Iliad and Fastweb on compatible handsets.

Customer service numbers

Once you have an Italian SIM, each operator has a dedicated free number to manage your line, check your balance or report issues:

These numbers are free from your own operator’s SIM. English-language support is uneven: TIM, Vodafone and Fastweb have English-speaking agents on request, while WindTre and Iliad mostly operate in Italian.

Home internet guide

Setting up home internet in Italy is straightforward once you know what is available at your address. The single biggest factor is the type of fixed line your building is connected to: full fibre (FTTH), mixed fibre/copper (FTTC) or older ADSL. In areas with no fixed line you can usually fall back on fixed wireless (FWA) or a 5G home internet box.

Connection types in Italy

• FTTH (full fibre to the home): up to 1 Gbps or 2,5 Gbps, available in most large and mid-size cities.
• FTTC (fibre to the cabinet, copper last mile): up to 200 Mbps depending on distance.
• ADSL: legacy copper, up to about 20 Mbps, still found in rural areas.
• FWA (fixed wireless) and 5G home internet: useful where fixed fibre is not yet deployed.

How activation works

Once you sign your contract, the operator typically needs about 15 business days to activate the line. If the building has never had a line, or if no router has been installed yet, a technician will visit to install the socket and (in most cases) the Wi-Fi router. You usually receive an SMS or email with the appointment window.

What you need to subscribe

• A valid ID (passport or EU/UK identity card).
• Your Italian tax code (codice fiscale).
• The address of the property, ideally with the building’s entry code or staircase reference.
• An IBAN for the direct debit, Fastweb explicitly accepts foreign (SEPA) IBANs.

Most operators run 24-month contracts on home internet. Early termination fees apply if you leave before the end of the commitment period, but switching between providers is usually free and is handled directly between the two operators.

Get help from Selectra, in English

Choosing the right operator in Italy is not always obvious: prices change often, fibre coverage varies street by street, and many sign-up flows are Italian-only. Our English-speaking advisors take care of the comparison, run the coverage check at your address and finalise the contract over the phone. The service is free and you are under no obligation.