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Vodafone Italy
Vodafone Italia S.p.A.
A major network provider offering high speeds and strong coverage in major cities.
Vodafone Italia network coverage across Italy's 20 regions as of 2026
Vodafone Italia S.p.A. delivers Italy's fastest mobile network with a median download speed of 72.91 Mbps, 5G availability across 60+ cities, and a subscriber base exceeding 20 million. Now operating under the merged Fastweb + Vodafone entity owned by Swisscom Group, the carrier holds a strong challenger position in a four-operator Italian market.
Italy's leading premium mobile network operator Vodafone Italia S.p.A. serves more than 20 million mobile subscribers across all 20 Italian regions, achieving the top overall mobile internet performance ranking in Italy for three consecutive years through 2025, according to the nPerf Annual Italy Mobile Ranking published January 2026.
Vodafone Italia is the fastest mobile network in Italy, recording a median download speed of 72.91 Mbps and a median 5G download speed of 241.99 Mbps, making it the outright winner of the Ookla Speedtest Award for Fastest Mobile Network and Best 5G Network in Italy for H1 2025, according to the Ookla Speedtest Connectivity Report Italy H1 2025 published October 2025. The carrier also won the best 5G gaming and video streaming experience awards in the same period.
This review covers Vodafone Italia's 4G and 5G coverage percentages, city-level speed test data for Rome, Milan, and Naples, customer service channels, eSIM availability, the My Vodafone app, international roaming scope, and a head-to-head comparison against Italy's three other national operators — TIM, WindTre, and Iliad. As of 31 December 2024, Swisscom Group completed its acquisition of Vodafone Italia and merged it with Fastweb, creating the combined entity Fastweb + Vodafone with over 20 million mobile and 5.6 million fixed lines and a proprietary fixed network spanning 74,000 km.
Compare TIM (Telecom Italia) review and WindTre review for additional mobile carrier options in Italy.
Vodafone Italia S.p.A. was established in 1995 and operated for nearly three decades as an independent subsidiary of the London-listed Vodafone Group Plc (LSE: VOD). The company rebranded as part of the combined entity Fastweb + Vodafone following the completion of Swisscom's EUR 8 billion acquisition on 31 December 2024, according to Swisscom's official press release published January 2025.
The combined Fastweb + Vodafone entity holds over 20,000 mobile radio sites and a proprietary fixed network of more than 74,000 km, with 50% of that infrastructure delivered via FTTH (Fibre-to-the-Home). The merger targets annual run-rate synergies of approximately EUR 600 million. By end of 2025, EUR 95 million in synergies had already been achieved, according to Fastweb + Vodafone's 2025 financial results published February 2026.
Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
Full Corporate Name | Vodafone Italia S.p.A. (operating as Fastweb + Vodafone) |
Year Established | 1995 |
Parent Company | Swisscom Group (acquired 31 December 2024) |
Mobile Subscribers | 20+ million |
Fixed Lines | 5.6 million |
Mobile Radio Sites | 20,000+ |
Official Website |
Learn more about Italy's mobile operator landscape in our best mobile carriers in Italy 2026 guide.
Vodafone Italia covers 99% of Italy's population with 4G service and provides 5G connectivity across more than 60 cities nationwide. In Europe, Vodafone's 4G network reached 99% population coverage in 2023 and maintained that figure through 2025, according to Vodafone Group's FY25 Annual Report published 2025. Italy's 20 administrative regions all receive 4G service, with the densest 5G deployments concentrated in northern and central urban centres.
Vodafone Italia launched 5G commercially in 2019 — the first operator to do so in Italy — and has since expanded 5G to over 60 cities including Milan, Rome, Turin, Bologna, Florence, Naples, Verona, and Bari, according to 5gitaly.eu data. In Milan specifically, 5G coverage exceeds 90% of the city's population. The January 2026 network-sharing agreement between Fastweb + Vodafone and TIM targets deployment to municipalities with fewer than 35,000 inhabitants, reaching approximately 15,500 sites per operator by end of 2028, according to Swisscom's cooperation announcement published January 2026.
Vodafone Italia's 4G network operates across LTE Band 1 (2100 MHz), Band 3 (1800 MHz), Band 7 (2600 MHz), Band 20 (800 MHz), and Band 28 (700 MHz). The 5G network uses n1 (2100 MHz), n3 (1800 MHz), n28 (700 MHz), and n78 (3500 MHz) frequencies. Sub-6 GHz 5G is the primary deployment technology across all 60+ covered cities.
The 5G consistency leader designation belongs to Vodafone Italia, with 81.7% of 5G samples meeting or exceeding the 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload threshold, according to the Ookla Speedtest Connectivity Report Italy H1 2025 published October 2025. Additionally, Vodafone provides FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) 5G to 4.3 million households and FWA 4G to a further 1.3 million, bringing broadband services to 23.3 million households in total.
Vodafone Italia delivers a median download speed of 72.91 Mbps and a median upload speed of 12.83 Mbps across all technologies, with median 5G download speeds reaching 241.99 Mbps and median 5G upload speeds of 17.52 Mbps, according to the Ookla Speedtest Connectivity Report Italy H1 2025 published October 2025. The OpenSignal Italy Mobile Network Experience Report published December 2025 confirms a Download Speed Experience of 63.8 Mbps and Upload Speed Experience of 11.2 Mbps for Vodafone.
Location | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) | Technology | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Milan (Centro) | 241.99 | 17.52 | 5G | Ookla H1 2025 |
Rome (Urban Average) | 72.91 | 12.83 | All Technologies | Ookla H1 2025 |
Naples (Urban Average) | 63.8 | 11.2 | 4G/5G Mixed | OpenSignal Dec 2025 |
National Average (4G/LTE) | 20.0–80.0 | 10.0–30.0 | 4G LTE | Simology Italy eSIM Guide 2025 |
Learn more about 5G network performance in Italy for detailed technical comparisons across all four national operators.
Vodafone Italia operates five primary customer service channels, including phone support, live chat, physical stores, the My Vodafone app, and social media assistance. The carrier has accumulated 10,345 reviews on Trustpilot for vodafone.it, reflecting a substantial customer feedback footprint among Italian operators.
Phone Support: +39 190 (residential) and +39 42323 (business) — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency network issues; standard support available 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (CET) daily
Live Chat: Available through vodafone.it and the My Vodafone app from 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (CET), with typical first-response times under 5 minutes during business hours
Physical Stores (Vodafone Store): Hundreds of branded stores across Italy, including flagship locations in Milan (Via Dante), Rome (Via del Tritone), and Naples (Via Toledo); standard hours 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM Monday through Saturday
My Vodafone App: In-app support ticket system and chat, rated on both iOS App Store and Google Play with self-service tools covering plan management, bill payment, and technical troubleshooting
Social Media Support: Official assistance available via Facebook (Vodafone Italia) and X (formerly Twitter) at @VodafoneIT, typically responding within 1–2 hours during 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (CET) window
Compare customer service options across all Italian carriers in our comprehensive Italian carrier support comparison guide.
Vodafone Italia provides these value-added services for subscribers across its consumer and business segments:
International Roaming: Vodafone Group's partner network spans 46 countries beyond its 15 directly operated markets, covering destinations across Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa; EU roaming is included under standard plans at domestic rates per EU regulations
My Vodafone App Features: The My Vodafone app delivers data usage monitoring with real-time consumption alerts, bill payment and invoice history, SIM and plan management (upgrades, downgrades, add-ons), customer support chat, store locator with opening hours, and rewards tracking for eligible subscribers
eSIM Support: Vodafone Italia offers eSIM technology to domestic subscribers on compatible devices including iPhone XS or later, Samsung Galaxy S20 or later, and Google Pixel 4 or later; activation is completed digitally via the My Vodafone app or at Vodafone Stores; tourist plans currently require physical SIM and in-store activation
Vodafone Happy Rewards Program: The Vodafone Happy loyalty programme awards weekly prizes, discounts with retail partners (including Amazon, Booking.com, and Rinascente), and exclusive experiences; subscribers access benefits directly through the My Vodafone app
5G Device Support: Vodafone Italia's 5G network supports all 3GPP-compatible 5G handsets on n1, n3, n28, and n78 bands; a curated catalogue of 5G-ready devices including iPhone 15 series, Samsung Galaxy S25 series, and Xiaomi 14 series is available from vodafone.it
FWA Home Broadband: Vodafone's Fixed Wireless Access service connects 4.3 million households via 5G FWA and 1.3 million via 4G FWA, enabling broadband-speed home internet without a fixed-line cable installation
Discover more about eSIM technology and activation steps in Italy for a complete guide to digital SIM setup on compatible devices.
Vodafone Italia key advantages and disadvantages for 2026
Italy's Fastest Mobile Network (3 Consecutive Years): Vodafone Italia achieved a Speed Score of 65.73 and a 5G Speed Score of 55.75, winning Ookla's Fastest Mobile Network and Fastest 5G Network awards for Q1–Q2 2025, according to the Ookla Speedtest Award Italy Q1–Q2 2025 published 2025
Highest 5G Median Download Speed in Italy: Vodafone Italia's median 5G download speed of 241.99 Mbps leads all Italian operators, with 5G consistency of 81.7% of samples exceeding 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, according to Ookla H1 2025
Near-Complete 4G Population Coverage: Vodafone Italia reaches 99% of Italy's population with 4G service across all 20 administrative regions, according to Vodafone Group FY25 Annual Report 2025
Strongest Converged Infrastructure After Fastweb Merger: The combined Fastweb + Vodafone entity operates 20,000+ mobile radio sites, a 74,000 km proprietary fixed network, and serves 23.3 million households with broadband, making it the leading infrastructured operator in Italy, according to Fastweb + Vodafone financial results published February 2026
Best 5G Gaming And Video Streaming Experience: Vodafone Italia scored 87.13 (5G Game Score) and 82.76 (5G Video Streaming Score) — the highest in Italy — according to the Ookla Speedtest Connectivity Report Italy H1 2025
Tourist eSIM Restrictions: Tourist plan subscribers cannot activate eSIM despite Vodafone Italia offering eSIM to domestic customers; international visitors must visit a physical store with passport verification, requiring 30–60 minutes or more, according to Truely Vodafone Italy Review 2025
Limited 5G In Rural And Small-Town Areas: 5G deployment covers 60+ cities but does not yet extend to municipalities with fewer than 35,000 inhabitants; the rural 5G expansion project with TIM targets completion only by end of 2028, according to Swisscom's January 2026 cooperation announcement
Tourist Plan Renewal Requires Physical Store Visit: Vodafone Italia's tourist plans cannot be renewed online; subscribers must return to a Vodafone Store for plan extension, creating friction for visitors with multi-week stays, according to Truely Vodafone Italy Review 2025
Higher Pricing Tier Versus MVNOs: Vodafone Italia's premium positioning places its plans at a higher price point compared to Italy's growing MVNO segment and budget operators like Iliad, which competes primarily on cost rather than performance
Italy's mobile market in 2026 consists of four national operators: Fastweb + Vodafone, TIM (Telecom Italia), WindTre, and Iliad Italia, together forming a moderately concentrated competitive landscape, according to Mordor Intelligence Italy Telecom MNO Market report 2026. Vodafone Italia leads on speed and 5G performance metrics, while TIM leads on total subscriber count when including M2M lines and maintains the broadest legacy infrastructure footprint.
WindTre held 24.0% mobile market share for traditional SIM lines at end of Q3 2024, narrowly ahead of TIM's 23.5% for traditional lines, according to Porter's Five Forces analysis of Telecom Italia published December 2025. Iliad Italia competes aggressively on price, capturing a growing share of price-sensitive subscribers since its 2018 Italian market entry.
Feature | Vodafone Italia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
4G Population Coverage | 99% | ~99% | ~99% | ~95% |
5G Cities Covered | 60+ | 40+ | 30+ | Limited |
Median Download Speed (All Tech) | 72.91 Mbps | ~50 Mbps | ~48 Mbps | ~38 Mbps |
Median 5G Download Speed | 241.99 Mbps | ~180 Mbps | ~150 Mbps | N/A |
Mobile Subscribers | 20M+ | ~22M (incl. M2M) | ~22M | ~10M+ |
nPerf Overall Score 2025 | 90,088 | 80,690 | 84,814 | 68,424 |
eSIM for Domestic Subscribers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Ookla Best Network Award H1 2025 | ✓ Winner | — | — | — |
Vodafone Italia is the strongest choice for subscribers who prioritize raw 5G speed and overall network performance. TIM suits users who value the widest legacy infrastructure and enterprise-grade services. WindTre offers competitive mid-range pricing, and Iliad Italia delivers the lowest entry-level plan costs for data-focused, budget-conscious users.
Read our detailed Vodafone Italia vs TIM comparison or explore the WindTre full review for alternative mobile carrier options in Italy.
Vodafone Italia offers 5G coverage in more than 60 cities across Italy, including Milan, Rome, Turin, Naples, Florence, Bologna, Verona, and Bari. Milan receives the densest 5G deployment, with over 90% population coverage within the city boundary. Vodafone Italia launched 5G commercially in 2019 — the first operator to do so in Italy — and achieved a median 5G download speed of 241.99 Mbps in H1 2025, according to the Ookla Speedtest Connectivity Report Italy H1 2025 published October 2025.
Vodafone Italia records a median download speed of 72.91 Mbps and a median upload speed of 12.83 Mbps across all network technologies in Italy. On 5G specifically, Vodafone Italia achieves a median 5G download speed of 241.99 Mbps and a median 5G upload speed of 17.52 Mbps, the highest 5G speeds among all Italian mobile operators. The OpenSignal Italy Mobile Network Experience Report published December 2025 independently confirms a Download Speed Experience of 63.8 Mbps, placing Vodafone Italia 6 Mbps ahead of the second-ranked operator.
Vodafone Italia's 4G network covers 99% of Italy's population across all 20 administrative regions, from Valle d'Aosta in the north to Sicily and Sardinia in the south. Urban centres including Rome, Milan, Turin, Bologna, Florence, Naples, Palermo, Genoa, and Venice receive excellent 4G service and 5G availability in central districts. Rural and mountainous areas receive 4G LTE coverage, with sub-6 GHz 5G expansion to small municipalities planned through a network-sharing agreement with TIM targeting 15,500 sites per operator by end of 2028, according to Swisscom's January 2026 announcement.
Vodafone Italia customer service is reachable by calling +39 190 for residential subscribers or +39 42323 for business accounts, both accessible from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM CET daily. Additional contact channels include live chat on vodafone.it and the My Vodafone app (8:00 AM – 10:00 PM CET), support ticket submission within the My Vodafone app, social media assistance via @VodafoneIT on X and the official Facebook page, and in-person service at hundreds of Vodafone Store locations nationwide — including flagship stores in Milan, Rome, and Naples — during standard retail hours of 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM Monday through Saturday.
Vodafone Italia supports eSIM for domestic subscribers on compatible devices, with digital activation available through the My Vodafone app or at Vodafone Store locations. Compatible devices include iPhone XS or later, Samsung Galaxy S20 or later, and Google Pixel 4 or later. International tourists on Vodafone Italia tourist plans cannot use eSIM technology and require a physical SIM card with in-store passport verification for activation, according to the Truely Vodafone Italy Review published 2025.
Vodafone Italia roaming extends across all 27 EU member states at domestic rates under EU roaming regulations, plus coverage in 46 additional Vodafone partner network countries across Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. Popular roaming destinations include the United States, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Australia, and Brazil through Vodafone Group's global partner network. Specific roaming rates, data caps, and enabled destinations are listed on Vodafone Italia's international roaming page.
Vodafone Italia outperforms TIM on mobile download speed (72.91 Mbps vs. approximately 50 Mbps) and 5G coverage depth (60+ cities vs. 40+ cities), while TIM holds a higher total subscriber count when including M2M lines (27.1% market share vs. Vodafone's estimated 22–24% for traditional lines). Vodafone Italia scored 90,088 points on the nPerf 2025 overall mobile ranking, compared to TIM's 80,690 points. TIM maintains a stronger enterprise and government services portfolio through its NetCo infrastructure legacy, according to Mordor Intelligence Italy Telecom Market report 2026.
Vodafone Italia's best feature is its 5G network, which delivers Italy's highest median 5G download speed of 241.99 Mbps along with the top 5G gaming score of 87.13 and the top 5G video streaming score of 82.76 among all Italian mobile operators. Combined with 99% 4G population coverage, a three-year consecutive top overall mobile performance ranking on nPerf, and the Ookla Speedtest Award for Best Mobile Network and Best 5G Network in Italy for H1 2025, the 5G network performance represents the carrier's clearest differentiation, according to the Ookla Speedtest Connectivity Report Italy H1 2025 published October 2025.
Vodafone Italia delivers Italy's fastest 5G network at 241.99 Mbps median download speeds and 99% 4G population coverage — making it the top choice for subscribers who prioritize network performance and 5G reliability across Italy's major cities.
Explore more mobile carrier options through our complete Italy carrier directory or learn how to choose the right mobile carrier for your needs in Italy.
Last Updated: April 2, 2026
Sources:
Ookla, Speedtest Connectivity Report Italy H1 2025, October 2025
OpenSignal, Italy Mobile Network Experience Report, December 2025
nPerf via Telecompaper, Italy Mobile Performance Ranking 2025, January 2026
Fastweb + Vodafone, Swisscom Acquisition Completion Press Release, January 2025
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