Staying connected with WiFi and SKYPE
I am sending my teenage daughter with a tour group for two weeks in Italy. She has an IPOD touch with WiFi connection capability and SKYPE software for making long-distance calls. We are hoping that she will be able to stay connected with us by using this at a cybercafe, library, or other WiFi hotspots but are wondering if anyone has any advice or has used this type of connection in Italy before?
Bruce
Colton, NY USA 11/6/09
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My iPhone with Skype worked great all over Europe. Just make sure you test things out before she leaves.
Works just the same as at home once you are online. And hot spots seem to be all over the place.
Getting online may require payment (like they do here at Starbucks) but nothing someone under the age of 21 should not be able to handle better than an grown-up.
Most all the sign up pages are in English. The hardest may be at some hotels, but the front desk csn help, you'll be getting the secret code from them anyway.
I think you may find it easier to stay in contact via email. We carried a Skype conputer on our last trip and found that timing was an issue in setting up contact and some of the wifi sites didn't have the bandwidth to handle the video and voice. Just turn off the camera and use the voice.
Italy passed a law a few/couple of years ago that you had to have documentation to use a public WiFi network. A lot of bars/cafes just killed their WiFi since it was a pain to administer. While there are still spots in Florence, she will have to give her passport and let them document her info first before she can get on most WiFi networks. You may find open ones here or there, but the days of open WiFi networks all over the place seem to be dwindling. At least here in Florence. And that also means you really should buy a coffee or drink or something to use the service. If they are staying in hotels she will probably have service, but again, most likely will need to be documented first.
Something else to consider...free Wifi hotspots often get overloaded, and can be very slow. With Skype it's essential to have a fast and reliable connection, so it may be best to use some of the pay-as-you-go hotpots. You pay via your credit card, and with these types of connections you don't have to show your passport, or other ID.
I went to Italy last year in October for about 3 weeks and couldn't use WiFi anywhere because as foreigner you have to register with the gov in order to use the internet with any type of connection. Cybercafes is the only choice for her, unlsee Italy changed the law.
To follow up on my earlier post, we were in Italy in early October and had good, free, WiFi internet connectios at all of the hotels but had to have a code for the log on. Speed varied greatly so Skype video did not function well.
Just back from our trip to Rome, Florence, Siena, Cinque Terra, and Venice. Our hotel in Rome had wifi and a computer for use by guests. The hotel in Siena would sell wifi time. No other facilities had wifi. There was an internet cafe just down the street from us in Venice that also sold time. Needed to present your ID to get time. Definitely not like the States where free wifi is very available. Dave
I would agree with the posts that mention "free" WIFi spots being difficult to find, and of course the security issue in Italy that certainly means you will find no unsecured WiFi signals.
I did notice pay hotspots fairly regularly, usually T-Mobile, and a good share of the hotels either have Wi-Fi or at least internet available. There are also in cyber-cafes facilities just for Skype or other VOIP services.
Not mentioned is a further threat to Wi-Fi, in that growing in popularity in Europe is data service via the cell phone network or wireless. The problem for many of us travellers is that data packages can be expensive with local service...and outrageous if roaming on your US service.
All in All, a 5 euro phone card may prove to be just as convienent and cost effective.