Ok, I read this board all the time, I've stopped in the Apple store, and I've been to Italy with my iPhone, but I'm still not clear if there is actual FREE wi-fi. I know to turn off my data roaming, but I'd like to access the internet for my email or to use my apps while we travel to Italy next week. Anyone answer for certain if I can find free wi-fi?
Is it limited to just larger cities? I didn't find free when in Rome November 07.
You typically have to pay for WiFi. There are some exceptions: some hotels and cafes offer it for free. You may get lucky and be able to connect to an unsecured router located in someones house/apartment/office. Most all McDonalds and Starbucks offer 30 minutes of free Wifi with a purchase, reasonable rates after that. I've also found that you get what you pay for....a lot of free wifi hotspots tend to get overloaded and can be slow, whereas hotspots you pay for, tend to be faster and more reliable. It's best to work under the assumption that you will be paying for it.
Ellen,
My experience has been similar to what Michael mentioned. If you do manage to find a free Wi-Fi Hotspot, it may be overloaded or very slow.
Depending on what Hotels you'll be staying in, an increasing number these days offer Wi-Fi service (sometimes at a small charge). My position is that I'd be paying to check my E-mail or whatever at an Internet Cafe anyway, so paying a small charge is not really a big deal. It appears that for the most part "there's no free lunch".
One other thing to remember is that Italy has enacted some very strict anti-terrorism laws, and anyone using "rented" internet access is supposed to be "registered". If you use a Net Cafe, this will most certainly be the case, and they will ask for your Passport. I haven't used Wi-Fi a lot in Italy, so I'm not sure what the policy is on that?
I'm travelling with an I-Pod Touch these days, so will be in much the same position in a few weeks. I'll have a better idea and more specific information on Wi-Fi access when I return.
Incidentally, someone posted a link to a "Wi-Finder" here on the HelpLine recently - check This site for details. One caveat though, that site gets "mixed reviews" at the Apple App's store.
Happy travels!
Check here, here, and here for wifi access, free and otherwise.
i am here, in Italy and there is NO free wi fi. have to use internet cafes, not my iphone.
there...we all know the answer now!
Ellen,
When using Net Cafes, I'm assuming you had to present your Passport to be "registered"?
There may be free Wi-Fi in locations you haven't visited yet, but more likely there will be a small fee associated with it. A staff member at one of the Hotels I stayed at last year on the Amalfi coast told me that providing Wi-Fi for their guests is less of a "hassle" for them in terms of regulations, as opposed to a wired terminal.
Happy travels!
Ellen!
Hope you're having a great time! Can you let us know more about the current policies for wi-fi access? ID requirements everywhere, not just Internet points? What are they charging these days?
Ellen...where in Italy are you? Lots of free spots I see listed.
Ok change my last statement I am sending this note from my iphonevin my hotel in Acqui Terme Italy. I used an Internet cafe today ( had to show passport)
Came back to my hotel where they told me there was no wil-fi. I turned on my phone (data roaming off!) and got a signal. I've been on my iphone all afternoon checkng email and Facebook even posted photos on my Facebook page
So.... There is free wi-fi. You just have to keep checking to see if you can find a signal
I have a feeling mine us from some Italians unsecured line and not from my hotel !
