Internet availability

07/17/2009 - 12:02

I've just moved to Carassai in Le Marche. All reception is very weak, mobile, internet via dongle etc. Should be getting landline soon but have just been told (via my lovely new friend who calls everyone for me) that there is no coverage for Alice.it here. Does anyone know anything re coverage in this area or live around here and have got a good broadband connection with any provider? Also, any idea if Sky is available here? I am without transport until I get my Residency card and buy my car so have not been able to get into a Sky office. I have brought my Sky box from the UK if that helps? all help most gratefully received!!

Topic

Technology

Location

Marche

Comment

You're very unlikely to be able to use your UK sky box I'm afraid. The reception just is not good enough in this part of Italy without an enormous dish and even then other people tell me they lose the signal at certain times of the day. We have Sky Italia and it is fine as lots of programs can be switched into English if you want (including almost all the film channels).To find out if you are covered for ADSL go here: and check a neighbour's phone number.

My friends near La Spezia have English Freesat. I believe they paid a one-off price for the box of about £130 in England (ie no monthly subscription). A 1.4m dish was fitted locally for about €500.They now get 160 odd TV channels (including HD) and countless radio stations. During set-up they entered their postcode in England so get all their local TV channels/news (bit sad really, isn't it?) in Italy.As far as I'm aware their reception is very reliable.

I know somebody in my town (the next one on from Carassai) who brought out an English Sky box and even with a 2m diameter dish only get's a signal for a small amount of the day so my advice would be to get �� Sky. An electrician I know says that in Marche you'd need a dish of at least 3m diameter to get a reliable signal (not sure if it's something to do with the mountains)

Try Tooway. Google it. You know it makes sense. 3 metre dishes are for poseurs and spies, by the way. Remember, if it's windy, you will lose your roof!