Internet access can be painful in Sicily

Thank you for the outpouring support I received for yesterday’s post.  You are really inspiring to me. This is why this website exists.

One of SicilyGuide’s daily readers asked me about the Internet key I mentioned. Let’s be honest. If you are just going for a few weeks and travel around, it is not going to be easy to be connected. It is probably even worse if you stay in a small town like me.

After a few days that I tragically tried to make my Wind Internet key work, I told to myself: “I am 24/7 connected, this must be a sign that it is not meant to be. Let’s relax and really have a few days off”. It is true that I am really 24/7 connected while in New York. It is my job – which I love – and a passion or obsession if you want to put it this way.

Since my trip was combining business and leisure, my plan was to do some work while staying with my family. The plan failed miserly. I was recommended to buy a Wind Internet key by a friend on the basis that her Wind cellular phone has stellar reception in this area. So I went to Expert, a sort of smaller Best Buy, and asked customer service for some information. The young girl at the desk was not very helpful, but I was anxious to get going and trusted my friend’s advice. I paid €59 cash. When I got back home, I read the instructions and plugged the Internet key into my laptop. Everything seemed fine, but no Internet connection. Plus my €10 credit for some reason disappeared without granting me any real access to the web. I called customer service and they told me to go to the store. I went to the store, but customer service was on a morning break and they told me to stop by in the afternoon. Since I was there just for a few days, I decided to let it go and not to think about it anymore.

After this experience, I learned that:

1) I am going to always ask many people who have direct experience with something in Sicily;

2) When not sure, I will ALWAYS buy something by credit card. So I can dispute the charge.

For other Internet options, here is a list:

Internet points

There are plenty of cafés and Internet points throughout Sicily where you can connect to the Internet. The main cities and tourist spots have a wider selection of places and more competitive hourly rates.

Hotels’ business centers

The best hotels have a business center open exclusively for their visitors.

Wi-fi

Wi-fi is not widely widespread, but it is possible to find a few free spots in the main centers.

Internet key

There is  wide selection of Internet keys that allow Internet access and charge by usage, but make sure that the area where you are has a good reception. The best carriers are Tim, Vodafone and Tre. Always ask around before buying one of these Internet keys and pay by credit card since stores rarely refund a purchase.