Internet, Phone, and Staying Connected in Rural Abruzzo

The Connectivity Landscape

Italy's internet infrastructure is a patchwork. Major cities have excellent fibre coverage. Rural areas-where the cheap, beautiful properties are-often don't. Abruzzo sits somewhere in the middle: better than deep rural Sicily, worse than Emilia-Romagna.

The government has invested heavily in rural broadband expansion (Piano BUL), but rollout is slow and uneven. A town might have fibre while the hamlet 2km away has nothing. The property you love might be 500 metres from the nearest cabinet-and that 500 metres matters.

This isn't a dealbreaker for most people. But if you work remotely, run a business that depends on video calls, or simply expect reliable streaming, connectivity should be on your checklist before you commit to a property.

Checking Before You Buy

Never assume connectivity. Always verify. Here's how:

Online Tools

• Broadband Map (bandaultralarga.italia.it): Official government map showing planned and existing coverage
• Provider coverage checkers: TIM, Vodafone, Fastweb, WindTre all have address-specific tools
• OpenSignal: Crowdsourced mobile coverage data

On-Site Verification

• Ask current owners/tenants what they use and how it performs
• Test mobile signal strength inside the property (all major networks)
• Ask neighbours about their internet service and reliability
• Look for visible infrastructure (fibre cabinets, overhead lines)

Fibre Options

FTTH (Fibre to the Home)

The gold standard. Fibre optic cable runs directly to your property. Speeds of 100Mbps to 1Gbps, reliable, low latency. If available, take it. Cost: EUR25-EUR35/month.

FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet)

Fibre runs to a street cabinet; copper runs the "last mile" to your home. Speed depends on distance from cabinet-30-100Mbps if close, degrading significantly with distance. Common in smaller towns. Cost: EUR25-EUR30/month.

FWA (Fixed Wireless Access)

Wireless signal from a local antenna to a receiver on your property. Increasingly common in rural areas. Speeds of 30-100Mbps possible, but affected by weather, line of sight, and contention. Providers include Eolo, Linkem, and mobile operators' home broadband products. Cost: EUR25-EUR35/month.

When Fibre Isn't Available

4G/5G Home Routers

If mobile signal is good, a 4G/5G router can provide decent home internet. TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, and Iliad offer home broadband products using mobile networks. Speeds vary dramatically based on signal strength and network congestion. Check data caps-some plans are unlimited, others aren't.

Satellite Internet

Available anywhere with a view of the sky. Traditional satellite (e.g., Skylogic/Eutelsat) has high latency (600ms+), making video calls problematic. Starlink has changed this-lower latency (20-40ms), higher speeds (50-200Mbps), but costs more (EUR50/month + EUR450 hardware). Starlink is a viable option for genuinely remote properties.

ADSL

Old copper-based broadband. Still exists in some areas. Speeds of 7-20Mbps maximum, often less. Functional for basic use but frustrating for modern needs. Better than nothing; worse than everything else.

Combining Options

Some people use multiple connections: a fixed line for general use and a 4G router as backup, or satellite for reliability and mobile data for low-latency needs. Routers that can bond multiple connections exist but add complexity.

Mobile Coverage

Mobile coverage in Abruzzo is generally good along the coast and in towns, patchy to poor in mountains and remote valleys. Main operators:

• TIM: Best overall coverage, especially in rural areas
• Vodafone: Good coverage, competitive pricing
• WindTre: Merged network, decent coverage
• Iliad: Budget option, uses WindTre network, more limited

Test coverage with your actual phone at the property. Walk around inside and outside. Check in different rooms-stone walls significantly affect signal. Consider that winter conditions can affect coverage differently than summer.

Italian SIM Cards

You'll need an Italian phone number for many administrative purposes. Plans are cheap (EUR8-EUR15/month for generous data). Getting a SIM requires ID and codice fiscale. Shops handle setup; online ordering is possible but more complex.

Remote Work Realities

If your income depends on reliable internet, be conservative in your property choice. The beautiful isolated farmhouse might not support your work needs.

Minimum Requirements by Use

Backup Plans

Always have a backup. Options include:

• Mobile hotspot with good data allowance
• Nearby bar or cafe with WiFi (know the opening hours)
• Co-working space in a larger town (limited in Abruzzo but growing)
• Neighbour's WiFi (with permission) as emergency fallback

Setting Up Service

Setting up internet service requires:

• Codice fiscale (Italian tax code)
• Italian bank account (for direct debit) or payment card
• ID document
• Proof of address (utility bill or rental contract)

You can order online or in-store. In-store is often easier if your Italian is limited- staff can help navigate options. Installation typically takes 1-3 weeks for fixed line services; mobile broadband can be same-day.

Contracts are typically 24 months with early termination fees. Some providers offer shorter commitments at higher monthly rates. Read the terms-switching providers can be expensive if you're locked in.