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M$5 August 31, 2009 07:27 PM

What's the best mobile broadband option for an American traveling to Italy for 12 days?

I will be in Italy for 12 days. I'd like to have mobile broadband available to access the internet for 1-3 hours per day.

What is the best service to use? I assume it would have to be some kind of pre-paid service.

Does it provide a USB device that I plug in to my computer?
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August 31, 2009 09:32 PM
Hi there. I am from Portugal and I have been pretty much satisfied with my Vodafone Connect Broadband Plan. It is a portable USB drive that I plug on my Laptop and off I go:) You can opt for many type of services, one of which is a prepaid amount. This plan can be sufficient if all you need is to surf the Internet because generally they are limited to bandwidth. However you should be able to just go to their store and load it up again.

Anyway, I am not very familiar with the Italian market but I am sure that there are similar services there specially from Vodafone. Here is a link that I found from Vodafone's Italian Website (in english version) for you to have an idea what you expect. Also, normally, you should be able to see in the airport services being offered for visitors, in particular if it is in Milan or Rome. Good luck!

The link: http://www.vodafone.it/engl/working/vod_fullopt_broadband.html

Also, I believe that this is their best plan for what you are looking for:
"With the new Internet and Telefono Flat offer, start surfing from your workplace straight away at up to 7 MBits/sec and with no limits. You can also surf when on the move with the Vodafone Internet Key included. Talk to your colleagues at 0 cent per minute with no connection charge and with all national fixed numbers for 0 cent a minute with a 10 cent connection charge.
No more Telecom line rental fee – all you pay is a monthly fee. " http://www.vodafone.it/engl/working/vod_inoffice_flat.html
Source(s):
Vodafone Italy
http://www.vodafone.it/engl/index.html



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August 31, 2009 07:36 PM
T-Mobile seems to have the best global roaming data rates. $0.49 per minute as compared to others that charge well over a dollar per minute.
Source(s):
http://t-mobile.com


Tags: globalroaming, t-mobile, globaldata

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August 31, 2009 07:37 PM
I'm more interested in buying a plan once I'm there. That will be significantly cheaper than using a US company and roaming.

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August 31, 2009 07:41 PM
Sorry...mis-understood. My mistake.

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August 31, 2009 07:57 PM
I would check with your mobile service provider to see what they offer. The hotel (if you are staying at one) might offer internet access, but it can be quite pricey. If your computer has a Wi-Fi card installed, then I would say go get a cup of coffee - sit at a cafe that has free Wi-Fi access. Enjoy your surroundings and have a great trip.
Source(s):
Three friends that travel Italy, Germany, UK, France, UAE regularly


Tags: broadband, travel

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August 31, 2009 08:00 PM
Thanks, but I'm specifically looking for a mobile broadband option, so I don't have to rely on WiFi.

And using my US carrier will be to expensive. I'm looking for an option that is local there and cheaper.

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August 31, 2009 08:10 PM
You might try looking at this site, then. They claim that they "maintain a listing of the top broadband Internet service providers for Italy." I don't see any rates, but it should give you ideas of who to contact, and you might be able set up your service before you get there.
http://www.birds-eye.net/directory/italy.htm

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August 31, 2009 08:40 PM
The best would have to be Verizon wireless. It has the best servive around the world.

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August 31, 2009 08:50 PM
Thanks, but as I've mentioned to the other two respondents, I'm looking to use a company that's local to Italy to avoid the high roaming rates.

But even if I used your suggestion, Verizon would not actually be providing service. It would be a local carrier that I would be roaming on. So it's pretty hard to make the claim that "have the best service around the world."

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September 01, 2009 04:43 PM
You can buy a pay-as-you go plan for EUR 0.90 an hour or eur 5.00 for 30 hours use. You would have to purchase the usb stick, which is EUR 49.00 with 5 hours internet free

http://www.tre.it/public/scheda_opzioni.php?id=22&idOF=164&ref=22_1

I live in Italy, send me a message if you need more info about buying one

http://twitter.com/chrisfaron

Tags: italy, internet

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