Fastweb eSIM and SIM Cards Detailed Guides for Tourists

Fastweb is one of the major telecommunications providers in Italy, offering mobile and internet services to consumers and businesses. As a tourist visiting Italy, you may be considering getting a Fastweb SIM card or eSIM to stay connected during your trip. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide everything you need to know about using Fastweb connectivity in Italy, including coverage, speed, SIM card options, eSIM availability, costs, activation, top-up, and more.

1. Quick Facts About Fastweb

Here are some other interesting facts about Fastweb Italy:

• Fastweb was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Milan, Italy.
• Fastweb is the third-largest fixed-line operator in Italy, with over 2.5 million customers.
• Fastweb is the fourth-largest mobile operator in Italy, with over 3 million customers.
• Fastweb was one of the first operators in Italy to offer fiber optic broadband services.
• Fastweb is also a leading provider of VoIP and IPTV services in Italy.
• Fastweb is a fixed-line and mobile operator in Italy, owned by Swisscom.
• Fastweb offers a variety of broadband services, including ADSL, VDSL, and fiber optic.
• Fastweb also offers a variety of mobile plans, including prepaid and postpaid options.
• Fastweb is known for its competitive pricing and good customer service.

Fastweb is a popular choice for consumers and businesses in Italy due to its competitive pricing, good customer service, and wide range of services.

2. Italy Fastweb Coverage and Speed

Fastweb provides good coverage in urban areas and cities but lacks in rural regions. Here is an overview of their mobile network in Italy.

2.1. Fastweb Coverage in Italy

According to the Opensignal Mobile Network Experience Report for Italy in May 2023, Fastweb has the best 5G coverage in the country. Fastweb users spend 26.7% of their time with an active 5G connection, which is 2.8 percentage points more than users on the second-placed network, Iliad.

Fastweb’s 5G coverage is also more extensive than the other networks. Fastweb scores 6.5 points on Opensignal’s 5G Reach metric, which is 1.6 points ahead of second-placed WindTre.

Overall, Fastweb is the best choice for consumers who are looking for the best 5G coverage in Italy.

Here is a table of the 5G coverage of the four major mobile operators in Italy:

Notes:

• 5G Reach is measured on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the best.
• A higher 5G Reach score indicates that a mobile operator’s 5G network is available in a wider geographical area.

2.2. Fastweb Speed in Italy

According to the Opensignal Mobile Network Experience Report for Italy in May 2023, Fastweb has the fastest 5G download speeds in the country. Fastweb users experience an average 5G download speeds of 35.6 Mbps, which is 2.6 Mbps faster than users on the second-placed network, Iliad.

Fastweb’s 5G upload speeds are also the fastest in the country. Fastweb users experience average 5G upload speeds of 10.7 Mbps, which is 1.2 Mbps faster than users on the second-placed network, Vodafone.

Fastweb’s 5G speeds are particularly good in the major cities of Rome and Milan. However, Fastweb also has good 5G speeds in rural areas.

Overall, Fastweb is the best choice for consumers who are looking for the fastest 5G speeds in Italy.

Here is a table of the 5G download and upload speeds of the four major mobile operators in Italy:

3. Fastweb Connectivity Options for Travelers

Here is the updated table with an ESIM option added:

Which connectivity option is best for you?

The best connectivity option for you will depend on your needs and budget.

• If you are on a tight budget, then a prepaid SIM card is a good option.
•  If you need more data or want to use your phone for international calls, then Italy eSIM is a good option.
• If you want to share your internet connection with multiple devices or need internet access in areas with poor cell service, then a mobile hotspot is a good option.
• If you need internet access on the go or are traveling to multiple countries, then a pocket Wi-Fi is a good option.

4. Best Fastweb SIM Cards for Tourists & Costs

Fastweb offers affordable SIM plans. With the SIM Activation Costs is approx. 10 USD. Here is the cost of prepaid Fastweb SIM card plan: 

5. Does Fastweb Italy Support eSIM?

Yes, Fastweb does provide eSIM connectivity in Italy for new and existing customers, but only for Italian, not for tourists. So if you want to use eSIM when visiting Italy you can consider Italy eSIM from italy-esim.com. 

6. Where Can You Buy a Fastweb SIM Card and eSIM?

You can buy Italy Fastweb SIM cards and eSIM in multiple ways:

6.1. Where to Buy Fastweb SIM for Italy

• At Fastweb stores in major cities and airports in Italy.
• From newspaper stands and tobacco shops across Italy. Look for Fastweb Mobile signs.
• Online on Fastweb website for home delivery in Italy. Needs an address in Italy.
• Courier delivery worldwide from third party vendors like SimOptions.

6.2. Where to Buy Italy Fastweb eSIM

It is possible to purchase an eSIM in store, bring with you:

• valid identity document
• Tax ID code
• data of the payment method you intend to use between IBAN or credit card. They won’t be necessary if you prefer to top up your eSIM manually.

You can choose to:

1. activate a Fastweb eSIM with a new number or with a ported number (new activation)
2. change the format of the current physical SIM, keeping the number, and switch to an eSIM ( replacement ).

In both cases, you will receive the voucher needed to activate your eSIM in the store.

7. How to Activate Fastweb Italy SIM/eSIM

Activating the Fastweb SIM card or eSIM is quite easy:

7.1. How to Activate Italy Fastweb SIM

• Prepaid SIM will come with instructions for activation.
• Dial *121# choose language and enter SIM number.
• Provide passport details when prompted.
• You will get SMS confirmation on activation.

7.2. How to Activate Italy Fastweb eSIM

Before activating your eSIM, check here if your  device is compatible  and make sure you have a network connection. Follow the steps below:

• Frame the QR Code using your device’s camera
• Activate your eSIM profile on Android or iOS
• Start browsing, calling and texting

8. Italy Fastweb Call & SMS Rates

Fastweb prepaid SIM has following call and text rates in Italy:

Please note that these are just estimates and the actual rates may vary depending on your exchange rate.

All calls and SMS are charged on per-second billing. Rates are reasonable for Europe travel.

9. Useful USSD Codes for Italy Fastweb SIM

Check below methods to get account info and recharge your Italy Fastweb SIM:

•  from  the APP:  from the home page click on Invoices > select the invoice of interest click on View > Discover the details of your consumption  >  View the consumption details.
• from BROWSER : from the home page click on My invoices  , then click on WEB corresponding to the invoice you are interested in,  Discover the details of your consumption  >  View the consumption details.

10. How to Top-up Italy Fastweb SIM

You can recharge your Fastweb prepaid SIM through multiple methods. Topup using Fastweb website for registered users via cards or PayPal.

Data packs and bonuses can be added using MyFastweb app after each recharge.

11. Alternatives to Italy Fastweb SIM

Some alternatives you can consider instead of Fastweb in Italy:

• TIM Italy – Fastest speeds and best coverage. But slightly more expensive.
• Vodafone Italy – Equally good speeds and coverage as TIM.
• iliad Italy – Cheapest data packs starting 4.99 EUR for 40GB.
• WINDTRE Italy – Low cost data and good coverage. But congested network.
• italy-esim.com – Virtual SIM provider that offers Italy data-only eSIM plans. Pay-as-you-go options.

So TIM or Vodafone recommended for best service. iliad and italy-esim.com best for low cost.

12. FAQs About Fastweb in Italy

13. Final Words

Fastweb provides a reliable network and good speeds for connectivity in Italy. Their prepaid SIM card and tourist eSIM are convenient and easy to get for foreign tourists. Speeds will be fast in cities but coverage can be patchy in rural areas where it falls back to partner roaming. Overall, Fastweb is recommended for Italy if you mostly travel to the cities and major towns. For best connectivity across Italy, TIM or Vodafone Italy SIM cards are suggested instead.