1973 Internet Connection

The best bet is go to an internet cafe (or borrow someone's PC quickly) and sign up with Tiscali ([url]www.tiscali.it[/url]) or someone. This will give you a telephone number to dial and a logon id. You will need your telephone number at home and your codice fiscale to register. The ISP finder with Windows rarely seems to work in my experience.

The UK ISP is technically possible but horrendously expensive as you will be charged as if you were calling the UK.

If you have trouble you can PM me.

The two most popular ISP's in Italy seem to be:

[url]www.tiscali.it[/url] ( as Penny mentioned)
or
[url]www.libero.it[/url]

over the years we have used both and have found little to choose between them. I am sure you would be able to sort out either from a UK based computer if you are still there and will just need your Italian phone number and the inevitable codice fiscale.

Good luck

[QUOTE=simonandjo]We are trying to get connected to the internet via our newly installed telephone line at our home in Italy. Its very rural and they don't have the broadband equivalent. However, it keeps timing out as we ask the set up to find an ISP. Does anyone know the easiest and simplest way to get connected over there? We have a UK ISP but were told this would be very expensive and not sure if technically possible?:confused: :)

Thanks[/QUOTE]

This is a familiar question on this forum and should come up in a serch of the forum?
However if it is any help we are also in a rural location and found that any internet connection via our landline hopeless. Very very slow and so unreliable. With the help of our local computer shop we now have an excellent system! A mobile phone just for use with our computers(desk top and laptop)which uses GPRS connection, unlimited access now E30 a month. There is a cheaper option as well but limited downloads. Worth you looking into anyway.

DavidandLinda
Thanks, I think you just answered one of MY questions.
Seems like the best thing to do, at least temporary.

Dave

[quote=DavidandLinda]... A mobile phone just for use with our computers(desk top and laptop)which uses GPRS connection, unlimited access now E30 a month. There is a cheaper option as well but limited downloads. Worth you looking into anyway.[/quote]

It seems very interesting also for people living in cities... I wonder if the E30 fee is only for the ISP subscription or it includes the cost of the phone calls as well ?!?

How much is the GPRS bandwidth ?

Paolo

[QUOTE=Paolino]It seems very interesting also for people living in cities... I wonder if the E30 fee is only for the ISP subscription or it includes the cost of the phone calls as well ?!?

How much is the GPRS bandwidth ?

Paolo[/QUOTE]
Covers everything! Computer/mobile shop chose system most suitable for our requirements.
Sorry no idea what the GPRS bandwidth is?
Just know system works well for us and so much better than previous ghastly experience trying to use computer via landline here in Italy.

David and Linda
I shall be looking to buy similar in the new year in Abruzzo, is it possible to let me know the make of phone and/or shop (if the shop is a chain store type).
Hope you don't mind me asking. PM if you wish.
Thanks
Dave

Any mobile phone that will work with Vodafone.It. They seem to offer best GPRS prices in this region. Not a chain shop, best to find a local computer/phone dealer by word of mouth if possible. You will need to take your computer to be reconfigured etc. Maybe worthwhile looking at vodafone. It website for further info. Any further questions, happy to try and answer though we are not very technical!! PM if you wish....

David and Linda
Thanks I'll give it a try when I get to Italy in Jan.
Dave

That's Ok. Good luck with the move in January, bet you can't wait!?

Hi - it sounds a great way to connect and I'm not surprised there are so many questions about it, especially as I'm still a bit confused how it works.
I went to my local vodafone shop in Florence and they told me it was impossible to connect to the internet using my computer and a telephone! So not very helpful there...

Just to clarify:

Did you have to buy a particular type of mobile, and if so, what have you got?
Is the E30 package a month with Vodafone IT and is it called anything special eg monthly supersaver or something?
Did you have to buy a cable connecting your mobile to your computers?
And when you connect to the internet do you have to dial up a special number on your mobile and if so, what is it?

Sorry for so many questions, but the more information/ammunition people can get from you before they go and do battle with their local shops, the better!

Cheers,

Sarah

Well all we can say is that it is possible or we would not be on this forum now!!
No idea what the package is called but it is with Vodafone and it is the more expensive option at E30 a month.
Our computer has been configured especially, cables supplied etc by our friendly local Computer shop, though he also sells mobile phones.
Suggest you will get what you need by going to a similar outlet rather than a Vodaphone shop. Phone we use is actually a Motorola model.
Hope this info is of help!

[QUOTE=SarahB]I went to my local vodafone shop in Florence and they told me it was impossible to connect to the internet using my computer and a telephone! So not very helpful there...[/QUOTE]
I think DavidandLinda are right: the person you should talk to about this sort of thing is a compter geek, not a salesperson in a mobile phone shop. The latter are good at convincing you to hand over money for the latest cool looking device that does loads of things you never knew you wanted to do, but they don't necessarily know anything about something useful like using a mobile for an internet connection. A good computer guy should be able to help you sort out connecting your computer to the internet using GPRS.

One comment I'd make is that it's generally assumed that the most frequent users of GPRS for internet connections will be travelling business people, so most of the hardware available is aimed at laptop users.

The norm is a card that plugs into the side of a laptop, but you can connect a GPRS mobile phone to a regular PC via a USB connection. I am not sure if Windows is able to deal with this sort of internet connection gracefully, or whether special software will be required. Again, this is something a good computer guy should be able to tell you about.

[QUOTE=SarahB]Did you have to buy a particular type of mobile, and if so, what have you got?[/QUOTE]
Yes, you will need a GPRS enabled mobile. Not all are.

Just to confuse matters further, you might look into whether there is 3G network coverage in your area and, if so, the costs of the necessary hardware and the subscription and useage charges.

3G is faster than GPRS. This may matter to you, or maybe the cost factors will be more significant.

You may also talk to the computer guy (when you find him) about something called WiFi. This is a wireless broadband connection service which is being rolled out in various rural areas of Italy. Or so I've heard. It may be something that might materialise someday, or it might be for real. See your computer guy for more details. ;)

[QUOTE=SarahB]Did you have to buy a cable connecting your mobile to your computers?[/QUOTE]
Yes, you need a special cable that connects your PC to your mobile phone. It will probably be called a modem or data USB cable or something like that. One end will be a normal USB connector and the other will be a connector specifically for your phone. Obviously, when you're using the connection, the phone will need to be in a place where it can get a good signal. Again, the mythic good computer geek that you need to find will know all about this stuff.

[QUOTE=SarahB]And when you connect to the internet do you have to dial up a special number on your mobile and if so, what is it? [/QUOTE]
You need to subscribe to a GPRS service which entails a cost. The normal price structure in the UK (and US) used to be a set charge for each block of a specific number of minutes connected or, alternatively, a charge based on how much data was sent and received. This may have changed since I last checked. However, from what DavidandLinda say, it appears that at least some mobile operators in Italy now have a set fee price structure.

GPRS is sort of like ADSL broadband for mobile phones. The connection is always there (so long as you pay your bills and you're in range of an antenna), so there isn't a number you need to dial as such.

Once again, this is something that your local computer geek should be able to talk you about in (stupendously tedious) detail.

Hope this is of some interest and assistance.

Al

Go to the vodafone home page which is as below - then click on the button that says internet and email ovunque on the right hand side. This takes you into the pages and includes tarrifs. It seems less expensive than the UK. There is a lot of information under business users on the UK site.

It only supports one apple computer - the majority is windows.

[url]http://www.190.it/190/trilogy/jsp/homePage.do?tk=9591%2ct&tabName=HOME+190&ty_skip_md=true[/url]

Cassini
Thanks, this may be what I'm looking for.
All I need to do is find someone in the stores at Chieti or Lanciano who speaks English, or maybe with a laptop and mobile they will get the message.
Thanks again
Stribs

Allen thanks for the technical explanation. All we understand is that is works very well for us.

[QUOTE=Cassini]....This takes you into the pages and includes tarrifs....[/QUOTE]

My brain started to hurt a bit; is it only available on a monthly charge or can it be a PAYG option too?

UN WI-FI PER MULAZZO
La banda larga è un sogno di molti. Per risolvere il problema è nato un progetto di rete telematica per la Lunigiana che utilizza tecnologie wireless, vale a dire trasmettendo dati in radiofrequenza, molto utile nelle zone montane dove la rete via cavo è praticamente inesistente. L’ha proposto lo scorso anno ai sindaci e alla Comunità Montana, Luninet, un’azienda giovane, associata al gruppo milanese Emax da tempo operante nel settore. L’idea è stata colta come un’opportunità per tutto il territorio. Ed ora il progetto è in grado di decollare poiché la copertura in radiofrequenza del territorio è pressoché completata. «E’ un progetto molto importante — ha detto Donati — che i comuni hanno appoggiato perché consente di superare l’isolamento in questo settore».

Per informazioni occorre contattare il numero 0187-027050

-looks like we're getting wifi!

Hey, great news.........is it just Mulazzo or any further afield?

(where was this from, BTW? Do you have a link?)

[url]http://www.comunemulazzo.ms.it/index.php?pagina=home_page[/url]