EOLO Speed Test — Italy's Rural Broadband Lifeline

EOLO is Italy's leading Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) provider, bringing high-speed internet to the millions of Italian homes and businesses that fibre infrastructure has not yet reached. In a country where the digital divide between major cities and rural provinces is enormous, EOLO fills a critical gap — connecting hill towns in Tuscany, mountain villages in Trentino, and farmhouses in Lombardy that would otherwise be stuck on 7 Mbps ADSL.

Understanding your EOLO technology is crucial: the company operates two fundamentally different systems with dramatically different performance. Your speed test result tells you which one you have — and whether your connection is healthy.

EOLO 30 vs. EOLOwave G — Two Different Worlds

The key difference: EOLO 30 operates on the crowded, unlicensed 5 GHz band — the same frequencies your neighbour's Wi-Fi router uses. EOLOwave G uses 28 GHz licensed millimetre-wave spectrum that EOLO purchased exclusively. The result is dramatically better speed, stability, and weather resistance.

The Rain Fade Problem

EOLO's biggest weakness is rain fade — the phenomenon where heavy precipitation absorbs and scatters the radio signal between the tower (BTS) and your roof antenna. Here is what to expect:

• Light rain: No noticeable impact on either EOLO 30 or EOLOwave G.
• Moderate rain: EOLO 30 may drop 20-40% in speed. EOLOwave G typically unaffected.
• Heavy thunderstorms: EOLO 30 can disconnect entirely. EOLOwave G may see 10-20% reduction.
• Snow/fog: Less impact than rain. Snow on the antenna dish itself can cause issues — brush it off if accessible.

If your connection drops during every rainstorm, your antenna alignment may be marginal — working in clear weather but failing when the signal margin shrinks. Contact 02 3700851 to request a technician for antenna realignment.

The PoE Injector — Your Most Overlooked Component

EOLO's roof antenna is powered via Power over Ethernet (PoE) — electrical power travels to the antenna through the Ethernet cable itself. Between the antenna cable and your router sits a small box called the PoE injector. This is the most common point of failure:

1. POE port: Cable going UP to the roof antenna. Always plug here.
2. LAN port: Cable going to your router/EOLOrouter. Always plug here.
3. Power: Connected to a wall outlet. Green LED should be ON.

Common mistake: Swapping the POE and LAN cables. If the cable to the roof is in the LAN port, the antenna receives no power and your connection dies — even though the router lights look normal.

EOLOrouter and Equipment

EOLO Speed Test FAQs

Why does my EOLO speed drop when it rains? EOLO uses Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) which transmits via radio waves from a tower to your antenna. Heavy rain absorbs and scatters these signals — a phenomenon called "rain fade." It's worse at higher frequencies. Light rain has minimal impact, but heavy storms can reduce speeds by 30-70%. Nothing you can do except wait it out.

What is Banda Minima Garantita (BMG)? Italian telecom law (AGCOM) requires ISPs to guarantee a minimum speed. EOLO's BMG is typically much lower than the advertised speed — sometimes as low as 2-4 Mbps on a 30 Mbps plan. Check your contract for the exact figure. If you consistently get below BMG, you have grounds for a complaint or contract exit.

Can I switch from EOLO FWA to fibre? Only if Open Fiber or TIM has deployed FTTH/FTTC in your area. Check coverage at openfiber.it or TIM's page. If fibre is available, it will be faster and more reliable than FWA. EOLO itself is also deploying FTTH in some areas.

My antenna has a red light — what do I do? A red light on the outdoor IDU/ODU typically means loss of signal from the tower. Check for physical obstructions (new building, tree growth), loose cables, or water ingress at the PoE injector. Contact EOLO for a technician visit — antenna realignment is usually free under your contract.

Is the PoE injector important? Critical. It powers the outdoor unit via the Ethernet cable. If the PoE injector fails or has a loose port, you lose internet completely. Ensure both Ethernet ports (DATA and ODU/ANT) are securely connected. A faulty PoE injector is one of the most common EOLO failure points.

Italian Broadband Alternatives

• TIM — Italy's largest ISP. Has FTTH in major cities (1-10 Gbps) and FTTC in suburbs. If TIM FTTH reaches your address, it will be faster and more stable than EOLO FWA.
• Vodafone Italia — Good fibre presence via Open Fiber. Worth checking if coverage has expanded to your village.
• Fastweb — Alternative fibre-first ISP. No-contract offers in cities.
• Iliad Italia — Primarily mobile but expanding into fixed broadband via Open Fiber access.

EOLO support: Call 02 3700851 (Assistenza Clienti). The My EOLO app shows connection status, Banda Minima Garantita, and self-service troubleshooting. For antenna issues, a technician visit is usually free under warranty.