The Digital Nomad’s Guide to Internet Speeds 2023

The life of a digital nomad is as enviable as it is challenging. Drifting from one stunning locale to another, working amidst the cacophonies of exotic markets, pristine beaches, or quiet, historic towns is a dream for many. However, underlying this seemingly free lifestyle is a pressing need: stable, fast internet. No digital nomad wants to be caught with a lagging Zoom call during a client pitch or a file upload that takes forever. In this guide, we’ll break down the internet speeds you can expect in popular nomadic destinations. Note: these are advertised speeds, not delivered, I did not review countries with nationalized ISPs, as they usually use ADSL, and its 10-50 mbps in those countries, and pretty unreliable.

You can check internet speeds from around the world here: https://www.speedtest.net/global-index

Thailand

Bangkok & Chang Mai

1. AIS: Speeds ranging from 20 to 1000 mbps
2. 3BB: Also provides speeds between 20 to 1000 mbps
3. CAT: A slightly improved starting speed at 25, going up to 1000 mbps

Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City

1. Viettel: 100 to 250 mbps
2. FPT Telecom: Offering a wider range from 100 to 1000 mbps
3. VNPT: Expect between 100 to 500 mbps

Portugal

Lisbon

1. NOS: Speeds vary from 30 to 1000 mbps
2. VodaPhone: Equal offering from 30 to 1000 mbps
3. MEO: Matching its counterparts with speeds from 30 to 1000 mbps

Costa Rica

Santa Teresa

1. Kölbi: 30 to 500 mbps
2. Liberty CR: A decent range of 75 to 350 mbps
3. Tito: Speeds lie between 50 to 300 mbps

Mexico

Playa del Carmen & Tulum

1. Telmex: Offering from 20 to 200 mbps
2. Megacable: Speeds ranging between 10 to 200 mbps

Czechia

Prague

1. UPC: A broad range from 30 to 1000 mbps
2. Netbox: 20 to 1000 mbps
3. Vodaphone: Matching Netbox’s speeds at 20 to 1000 mbps

Malta

1. Epic: The front-runner with speeds ranging from 20 to 2000 mbps
2. Go: Providing 20 to 1000 mbps
3. Melt: Matching Go with 20 to 1000 mbps

Indonesia

Bali

1. Biznet: Speeds between 30 to 250 mbps
2. FirstMedia: Capping at 100 with 30 to 100 mbps
3. Indihome: Mirroring FirstMedia at 30 to 100 mbps

Georgia

1. MagtiCom: A steady 30 to 100 mbps range
2. Silknet: Just a notch below starting at 25 and going up to 100 mbps
3. Akhali Kselebi: Keeping pace with MagtiCom offering 30 to 100 mbps

For a digital nomad, understanding internet speeds is fundamental in choosing a destination. Thankfully, many global hotspots offer competitive speeds to meet various work demands. Remember, while raw speed is essential, reliability and uptime are equally important. Always consider checking local reviews or fellow nomad testimonials before settling down. With the right connection, the world truly becomes your office. If you haven’t decided yet, read about choosing between Asia or Latin America here. Safe travels and seamless streaming!