Italy- What is an "internet point"
 

Several VBOs mention "internet point nearby." Does this mean it's an internet cafe with computers or is this a wireless hotspot?

Can I take my own laptop into an internet cafe and connect?

Does anybody know if subscribing to an internet mobile service such as T-Mobile works well in Rome's big cities?

I booked an apartment in Rome, I swore it had wi-fi (I misread "hi-fi" as wi-fi alas.) I must have internet access every day for a project I am working on.

I suspect it means some sort of internet cafe.

I am hoping Robespierre will see and respond to this.

That's the name of a chin of internet cafes. We saw them in Rome.

chain of cafes...sorry

Well, maybe it's the name of a chain, but it's also a generic term for a place where you can pay to use the internet. It might be wifi, or it might be just computers. Might be a café, or not. Just a place that offers internet access. Same thing in France, where it's "point internet."

Hi Vivi;
My experience in Italy with "Internet Point" is a term they used at some hotels to indicate that they had a computer in the lobby that you could use and sometimes there was a small charge for using it. In Europe generally it could mean a café or other location for internet service. Best of luck on your trip.
Jane

It is a chain in Rome. You will see this chain (and there are others) up and down the busier streets like Corso V. Emmanuele.

Hi V,

"Internet Point" means that there is an internet connection at the location.

It could be an internet cafe or just a place that has computers.

It could offer wi-fi.

I don't know if some might allow you to connect your own computer.

It is not a chain of anything.

((I))

The term &quot;internet point&quot; is used in Europe in the same way the term &quot;internet cafe&quot; is used in the US. In Europe, if you're looking for internet availability and ask for an internet <i>cafe</i>, you will sometimes get a puzzled look. We learned to ask about an internet point.

We also needed internet access with our laptop while in Italy last May. It can get expensive paying by the minute at various places. The internet points we used were tiny places with about 10 desktop computers and you'd buy minutes at the front desk in advance.

The only way we found to use our own laptop was to ask at the nicer hotels. Some of them have wi-fi in their lobbies or lounges and they would let us pay them per minute. It was usually less expensive per minute, we could use our own laptop, and it was a much more comfortable place to sit.

For example, the Hotel Colombina in Venice was especially helpful in letting us purchase their lobby wi-fi service.

Good luck. It ain't easy.
:)&gt;-

&gt;&quot;internet point&quot;
Never heared the term in Germany, here it's &quot;Internet Cafe&quot; or &quot;Access point&quot;.

Torino put WiFi in many cafes and bars prior to the Olympics. You buy a card at the tobacco shop that gives you the password and access to the system for however many minutes you want to pay for. Around Piemonte, many towns have an internet point. For example, the Cavatappi Museum in Barolo has 3 or 4 computers for use by the minute. There's an internet cafe in Aqui Terme, but not yet in Nizza Monferato. My experience is that connection gets easier each year.