What's the cost of unlimited, high-speed internet in Florence?

Question

I'm from America and like to keep updated with sports and news, so I often stream live video using a Slingbox (great gadget for all you travelers out there).

Unfortunately, streaming video takes up a lot of bandwidth, so I need to get either a broadband or ADSL connection that's not limited per month. I need a minimum of 380 Kbps upload speed for good viewing.

What are the current rates for the initial set-up and monthly fees? Who are the major companies that offer high-speed internet in Florence?

And, is Wi-Fi widely used there? Are there a lot of hotspots?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

hi! its me sueet2b,

here in florence, its just recent that they began to provide adsl for private use. when i just arrived 4 years ago, only very few had it, but i mean very very few and the only spot to get fast and quick internet access was the internet cafes that are located in all of florence.

about over a year ago, when it began to open up, i signed up on a program to have unlimitted access through adsl paying 50 euros a month but it included free phone calls to anywhere in italy. it may soudn a lot, but i split the cost wiht my bf, so paying 25 each, is ok with me. just this past july when it became a year since i signed up, they offered me a deal to remain using the program having free unlimitted phone calls to US any time, any day. and since i talk to my folks weekly, it was perfect.

the good thing about the deal was that the first month was only 30 euros and it included all the free installation, and gave us a phone number (in the apartment i live, at the time we didnt have a phone number since it was too costy to have one installed and pay for the entire thing, so we sticked with cell phones). so you can guess around how it works here in florence.

hope this gives you an idea!