Telephone kiosks only accept phonecards, which can be purchased at post offices, tobacconists and some newsagents.

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good.

Florence, Rome, Trento, Comiso, Venice, Milan and Bologna have instituted city-wide Wi-Fi hotspots, and the majority of hotels, airports, railway stations, B&Bs and even farmstays now offer free internet access. In most towns internet cafes also offer access at €5 to €13 per hour.

Italy's newspapers are strongly regionalised, with many papers produced in Milan. The press is free but ties with politics can be strong - notably in broadcast media. Rai, the public broadcaster, has been subject to political influence and the vast Gruppo Mediaset media empire is controlled by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. Among the most important Italian daily newspapers are CorrieredellaSera (Milan), IlMessaggero (Rome), LaRepubblica (Rome), LaStampa (Turin) and Il Mattino (Naples). 

The Italian postal system can be subject to delays. Letters between Italy and other European countries usually take 3 to 5 days and sometimes 1-2 weeks to arrive. Stamps are sold in post offices and tobacconists. In the Vatican City, stamps issued are valid only within its boundaries.

Mon-Fri 0830-1730, Sat 0815-1345. Smaller offices may close at midday during the week.