IoT connectivity in Italy
Updated
In Italy, permanent roaming is governed by the EU roaming regulation, which generally allows it under wholesale agreements between operators. Of the 4 mobile operators we track there, 0 have switched off 2G and 2 3G; the status of 1 network is still unclear, as of 26 October 2026. Sources are listed below each table.
Permanent roaming
EU/EEA rule. M2M falls within the EU Roaming Regulation, which leaves permanent roaming for M2M to commercial wholesale agreements that may include clauses against it; BEREC concluded in March 2025 that no further regulation was needed, and most member states permit it, Belgium being the main exception.
Sources: berec.europa.eu, berec.europa.eu, cullen-international.com.
2G and 3G shutdowns by operator
| Operator | Network | Status | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iliad | 3G | Unclear | none | agcom.it AGCOM (Sep 2026) states 3G service is still provided by WindTre and Iliad (Iliad shares some network parts with WindTre). No Iliad 3G switch-off date found. Iliad has no own 2G (national roaming on WindTre 2G). |
| TIM | 2G | Planned | 31 December 2029 | mondomobileweb.it, wirelesslogic.com TIM's annual report (reported March 2021) gave 31 Dec 2029 as the presumed GSM end of service; emnify (Sep 2026) still lists 31 Dec 2029. Conflict: Wireless Logic says TIM will stop 2G voice from Sep 2028 and start full 2G dismantling in Jan 2031; iot.cards (Aug 2026) lists no date. No recent TIM statement found. |
| TIM | 3G | Switched off | 15 October 2022 | mondomobileweb.it, agcom.it Switch-off started 13 June 2022 under an AGCOM-approved plan and was completed nationwide on 15 Oct 2022; AGCOM (Sep 2026) confirms TIM switched off 3G in 2022. |
| Vodafone Italia | 2G | Planned | 2030 | wirelesslogic.com, smartworld.it Vendor tracker only: Wireless Logic says Vodafone Italy keeps 2G live until end of 2030 for critical IoT, with dismantling from Jan 2031. Italian press (Aug 2026) confirms 2G stays active in Italy for M2M and rural voice but gives no operator date. A GSMA-based tracker (June 2024) listed no 2G plan. Vodafone Italia is now part of Fastweb + Vodafone (Swisscom). |
| Vodafone Italia | 3G | Switched off | February 2021 | mondomobileweb.it, agcom.it First Italian operator to switch off 3G: started 25 Jan 2021, completed end of Feb 2021; confirmed by AGCOM (Sep 2026). 2G remains for non-4G devices. |
| WindTre | 2G | No plan announced | none | iot.cards, help.mictrack.com IoT trackers (2024, 2026) list no 2G date for WindTre; 2G also hosts Iliad national roaming. No operator statement found. |
| WindTre | 3G | Planned | none | agcom.it, mondomobileweb.it Phase-out in progress: 3G on 2100 MHz switched off from 7 June 2024; 3G still on the last 900 MHz carrier nationwide. The earlier 31 Dec 2025 target was withdrawn. AGCOM (Delibera 217/26/CONS, Sep 2026) authorised a software-disable trial for WindTre/Very Mobile customers; definitive switch-off needs a separate request, no date announced. |
What it means for IoT devices in Italy
- 2G still runs on some networks, but plan new devices on 4G-based technologies (LTE Cat-1bis, LTE-M or NB-IoT where available): 2G is being closed across the region.
- 3G is already gone on 2 networks: devices that fall back to 3G will lose service there.
- Private delivery works the same from Italy: device data reaches your cloud over private links. See private delivery.
Other countries in Europe
Full tables: permanent roaming rules by country and 2G and 3G shutdown dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is permanent roaming allowed for IoT SIMs in Italy?
Italy applies the EU roaming regulation, which covers the EU and EEA. M2M falls within the EU Roaming Regulation, which leaves permanent roaming for M2M to commercial wholesale agreements that may include clauses against it; BEREC concluded in March 2025 that no further regulation was needed, and most member states permit it, Belgium being the main exception.
When is 2G switched off in Italy?
Status by operator, as of 26 October 2026. TIM: planned for 2029-12-31; Vodafone Italia: planned for 2030; WindTre: no shutdown plan announced.
When is 3G switched off in Italy?
Status by operator, as of 26 October 2026. TIM: switched off (2022-10-15); Vodafone Italia: switched off (2021-02); WindTre: planned.