Fast internet

What we use

The Broadband Map from AGCOM (Autorità per le garanzie nelle comunicazioni, the Italian communications regulator): the map of internet access networks, built from the data that operators declare to the regulator. For the fixed network it divides Italy into 20-metre squares, only where there are addresses, and for each one it gives the best technology and speed declared. For internet from a fixed antenna (FWA) it says how many networks cover each area. AGCOM updates it several times a year. Licence CC BY 4.0.

Fibre, copper and antenna

• Fibre to the home (FTTH): fibre reaches the building.
• Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC): fibre reaches the street cabinet, then the last stretch is copper.
• Copper only (ADSL): the old telephone line.
• Antenna internet (FWA, fixed wireless access): wireless internet from a fixed antenna on a roof or balcony, an alternative where fibre does not reach.

How we use it

The point of a street number often falls on the edge of the building or in the street, and a block of flats covers several squares. So the report takes, within 30 metres of the address point, the square with the highest expected speed (if two are equal, the nearest). From there it shows:

• the best fixed network: fibre to the home, fibre to the cabinet or copper only;
• the expected download speed, as a range (for example between 300 and 2,500 Mbps for fibre to the home), also in a chart;
• the second fixed network, if there is one, and the operators listed for fibre;
• how many squares within 100 metres have fibre to the home;
• how many FWA networks cover the point;
• the date of the AGCOM data used.

If there is no data for the exact point, the report says so and shows what there is in the surrounding 100 metres.

The rating of the section

• Favourable: fibre to the home is available, or a fibre network with an expected download speed of at least 100 Mbps.
• Worth considering: fibre to the cabinet with lower speeds, or the point is covered by antenna internet (FWA).
• Critical: there is only copper, with no antenna internet.
• For information: there is no data for either the fixed network or FWA networks.

Internet connection also counts towards the liveability index.

Limits

• Coverage and speed are those declared by operators: they show the best technology available in the address area, not the active line or the actual speed of the individual flat. Check with operators for the offer at your own street number.
• The data is for 20-metre squares, not for a single flat.
• For FWA networks AGCOM shows where they reach but not their speed: they do not appear in the chart.
• The report does not look at mobile coverage (4G and 5G).

Official page: AGCOM Broadband Map.