Who has best 3G coverage in Italy?
 

I will be spending time in Genoa, Florence and countryside and Cinque Terre. I need good GSM coverage and as much as possible good data coverage: may need to tether off my phone if no wifi available (work related issues).

I have a active TIM SIM, and was looking at their Data offers: not bad, 100 hours for 25 euros. However, their 3G coverage map on GsmWorld is dismal. H3G coverage seems wall to wall. I would buy a new SIM on site if required to do so to get good data coverage.

Anyone know about TIM 3G coverage in these areas ?

Thanks,
Frank

TIM has probably the best WCDMA coverage in Italy, but its offers are also very expensive. I've never been there, but I suggest you to think about 3, because it has very good prepaid data plans (100MB/day with only 3euros/week).

On tre.it (three site) you'll find an useful interactive coverage map, which can be found here:
Trova Coperture, Negozi e Centri Assistenza 3

Otherwise, TIM has a really good data network, so you can use it without hesitation. ;)

Thanks for the reply,

I will definitely look into it, but TIM Maxi Alice 100 (if I read it right) gives me 100 hours unlimited data in blocks of 15 minutes for 25 euros. There is also Maxi Alice Facile (1GB for 30 days). For my needs, either one would be fine I think.

A bit off topic, but my TIM SIM card has no more credit (I do no quite understand how as last time I checked a few months ago I had 16 euros left and it does only expire in August...). Anyhow, I have a Ricaricard but I cannot recharge because I cannot send any SMS (I am in Canada) . Have yet to find a way to recharge with the Ricaricard on the web. Anyone can recharge my SIM if I give them the PIN code of the Ricaricard and my phone number ?

Thanks,

yes, it's possible to call 4916 to recharge it:)

At the 5 Terre there should be some 3G coverage in Vernazza only, using H3G.
I don't know about the other 3 operators, it's some time I don't pass there even if I live just few Kms from there.

In Genova and Florence you should have no problems with all 4 operators. I'm from Genova and personally use Wind with no problems, always on 3G HSDPA. Probably Vodafone has better coverage at the 5 Terre, I guess at least Monterosso should have some 3G.
Consider that TIM, and maybe Wind, should have EDGE everywhere there's GSM. So if you don't have 3G you still have a not so bad speed on GSM.