Italy Communication


Fixed phone and mobile phone systems are available throughout Italy. Telephone numbers of the fixed system used to have separate prefixes (area codes) and a local number. To call abroad from Italy you have to dial 00 + country code + local part where the syntax of the local part depends on the country called. To call Italy from abroad you have to dial international prefix + 39 + local part. Note that, unlike calls to most countries, you should not skip the starting zero of the local part if you are calling an Italian land line.

The main networks are TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile, part of Telecom Italia, formerly state controlled), Vodafone, Wind, and 3 (only UMTS cellphones). Mobile (cell) phones in Italy work on the GSM European standard, usually compatible with phones from the UK, the rest of Europe, Australia and New Zealand, but not the US and Canada, which use a different system. Make sure you have made the necessary “roaming” arrangements with your provider before you leave home and note that you’re likely to be charged for incoming calls in Italy and you may need a new international access code to retrieve your messages.


Italian is the official language of Italy, which is estimated about 50 million native speakers. Several minority languages are legally recognised: Albanian, Catalan, German, Greek, Slovene, Croatian, French, Franco-Provençal, Friulian, Ladin, Occitan and Sardinian.

Most people can speak English in the main city , though it may costs your some time to to understand. The following phrases and sentences will help you a lot.

Grazie /Thank you

Prego! /You're welcome!

Mi scusi. /Excuse me.

Può ripetere, per cortesia? /Can you please repeat?

Parla inglese?/ Do you speak English?

Parli piano, per favore. /Speak slowly, please.

Mi sono perso. [M]; Mi sono persa. [F] /I'm lost.

Dov’è la metropolitana?/Where is the subway?

Mi può aiutare?/Can you help me?


Free public Wi-Fi is wildly offered in Italy. Internet access is pretty standard in hostels, mid-range and luxury hotels . All three-star hotels and above are now required to offer wi-fi, accoding to law. Meanwhile all public-access internet points must keep records of web site viewed by customers by law. Publicly available wireless access without user identification is illegal. Cities often have several wi-fi zones, usually run by the local council. Access is generally via a card with a username and pin number. Details of how to access wi-fi zones are usually posted on signs or stickers around town. Mobile (3G or HSDPA) internet connectivity is available from all major Italian carriers.