Digital Nomad Internet: Best WiFi Options for Remote Work Anywhere
Having reliable access to fast, stable internet is non-negotiable for any digital nomad and remote worker. It dictates not just the reliability of our work but also the overall experience on which our location-independent lifestyle will bring us next.
The truth, though, is that finding consistent connections can be challenging when you’re often on the move.
But have no fear! Out there, there are more options than ever to get work-from-anywhere bandwidth. Even in the most off-the-grid corners of the world.
In this handy guide, we’ll share with you our tried and tested top 5 most reliable internet solutions to get Wi-Fi, regardless of your location. We’ll also explore the pros and cons of each option as well as useful tips to get the most bang for your work-from-anywhere buck. If that sounds great to you, let's look at the options you've got.
1. Public Wi-Fi Networks
The first and most obvious way to get internet around the world is by using public Wi-Fi networks. This accessible and affordable (often free!) internet option can be found pretty much anywhere, from cafés to hotels, hostels, libraries, and airports. By tapping into local business and city infrastructure, you can quickly get online without activating international phone plans.
However, free public networks frequently suffer from downsides like laggy speeds due to the volume of users, connection instability from older wiring, and serious security vulnerabilities that can allow hackers to steal personal data. This makes having a reliable VPN essential to protect your privacy and personal information when connecting to public hotspots.
Check out the best VPNs here:
Luca Mussari
2. Portable Wi-Fi Devices
A rather smarter option you might want to consider is portable Wi-Fi devices. With their fast speeds and multi-device connectivity, regardless of local infrastructure, these convenient 4G and 5G pocket routers have become indispensable for many of us.
And among the various mobile Wi-Fi hotspots in the market, the Simo SOLIS Lite 4G and the NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 Pro are quickly becoming the top choices to bring reliable internet with us on the go, broadcasting speedy Wi-Fi for productivity anywhere from cafes to transit.
However, something to keep in mind here is the potential roaming charges without international data plans, as well as their battery life limitations, which can make long trips completely off-grid challenging. But with the right gadget and SIM card tailored to your destinations, these on-the-go routers will surely deliver the essential internet flexibility you need during your remote adventures abroad.
Check out the best portable Wi-Fi devices here:
Luca Mussari
Luca Mussari
3. Mobile Phone Hotspots
This is an old trick, but it's still quite an effective option. Transforming your smartphone into a portable Wi-Fi router via local SIMs or multi-country eSIM data plans lets you tap into the convenience of an all-in-one device for calls, mobile data, and on-demand Wi-Fi when cafés or accommodations lack infrastructure.
In particular, a local SIM card can give you affordable prepaid data to broadcast speedy 4G and 5G internet to your devices, while eSIMs can enable instantly activating high-speed international packages by avoiding those annoying roaming limits and sim-swapping of physical SIM cards.
The disadvantage of this approach is that using a personal phone as your full-time travel router strains battery life when left broadcasting for hours. And we also talked about how public Wi-Fi hotspots pose potential security risks, especially if you work on sensitive data. But by now, you would have (hopefully) got a top-notch VPN that keeps you secure while browsing and working remotely, so there is nothing to worry about on that side!
Learn more about the best eSIM plans:
Luca Mussari
4. Coworking Spaces
Next up, we have those super handy coworking spaces. This is the best option for bandwidth-intensive remote work, as they often include high-speed internet along with hotdesking options, dedicated workstations, private offices, meeting rooms, printers, free coffee, and so much more!
You can usually leverage these shared work environments for as low as $5 per day for casual access in some corners of the world, and they grant you a comfortable third space to be productive in between coffee shops and hotels.
That being said, coworking spaces limit flexibility to change locations frequently depending on membership terms. Also, access, available hours, amenities, and internet speeds vary dramatically across spaces and countries. So, vetting various areas for coworking spaces can ensure that you will find on-demand workspaces with infrastructure matching or exceeding your remote work expectations.
5. Satellite Internet
As the most innovative and fast-growing option in our list, we have got satellite-based internet. This new technology is most suited when connectivity is needed in the most isolated or remote areas of the world.
And among the satellite internet providers, Elon's Starlink satellite network is currently the leader in providing high-speed and low-latency internet, which is perfect for RV travel, sailing, and even off-grid adventures spanning rural farmlands to wilderness trails with clear sky views. By using a compact antenna dish connecting wirelessly to devices, their Starlink Roam promises impressive download speeds (up to 200Mbps!), rivaling cable and fiber connections with extensive global coverage capabilities on the go.
In terms of costs, you will need to account for a one-time hardware fee for the antenna kit that starts at $599, while monthly fees start at $150, providing a convenient option for reliable internet to remote for cellular or radio tower connections.
Limitations to consider here are restrictions on moving vehicles, dependence on open skies that obstructions may disturb, and ongoing capacity limits in dense urban areas. But for location-flexible remote workers, Starlink offers groundbreaking feasibility to work and play literally anywhere on the planet. That's all so damn exciting if you ask me!
Ready To Get Internet Anywhere in the World?
That wraps it up! These are the best solutions for getting internet on the move, no matter how far you travel.
If you want more digital nomad guides like these, sign up for our free newsletter and get upcoming articles straight to your inbox!
You can also follow us on Instagram and join our Facebook Group if you want to get in touch with other members of our growing digital nomad community!
We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads!
Freaking Nomads is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free, helpful content. Learn more
Comments ()