I have been investigating methods of connecting to the internet using a mobile phone.

From my investigations - TIM - offer quite a good service for PAYG customers.

Its called MaxxiTIM Ricarica Facile

It costs €30 for 1 block of 30 days - so useful if you dont live in Italy all the time.

At the moment till July 2006 - you are allowed 500MB worth of traffic plus a bonus of 500MB each block of 30 days bought.

GPRS running at upto 80Kbs and EDGE (EGPRS) running at upto 236Kbs (tho my phone will only go to 177Kbs). Its getting onto ADSL speeds.

Further - I have signed up with iBox - and now can view and charge my phone on the internet from the UK.

I can also view usage of the phone. Bigger Cities have access to UMTS which can go upto speeds of 384Kbs.