Digital nomads: How to find good internet connection

Digital nomads travel quite often. Internet access is vital to their job. That is the reason why before choosing a destination it is good to know that there is a good internet connection.

But what do we mean by good internet connection? When it comes to internet connection, there are four key features to keep in mind.

• Bandwidth: Refers to the amount of information received per minute. The higher the bandwidth the better.
• Ping: Refers to the time it takes for the signal to travel to and from the destination. The lower the ping the better.
• Download speed: How fast the data is downloaded to the device. The higher the download speed the better.
• Upload speed: How fast the data is uploaded to the device. The higher the upload speed the better.

Good internet connection has a different meaning for every person. It largely depends on the actions and the type of work performed by the digital nomads. Depending on the job, it requires special attention to which of the four characteristics to focus on.

Defining internet needs

The speed at which data is downloaded is perhaps the most necessary factor for conducting work remotely. Digital nomads want high speeds so that they can work.

Internet download speed is measured in Mbps which means megabits per second. The higher the Mbps, the better the internet connection. Each activity performed online requires a different minimum speed in Mbps. The recommended speed for conducting any online activity is 10-20 Mbps. With these speeds there is no way for digital nomads to face difficulties in doing their job.

It is worth noting that there are corresponding tools for measuring speed. One of them is speedtest.net. With this tool you can measure the speed of the internet either from the computer or from the mobile.

7 useful ways to optimize internet speed while working from anywhere in the world

We have mentioned above the good internet connection and the high speeds that digital nomads need. However, there are situations in which we need to take some more actions in order to improve those speeds.

Below we quote some ways to improve internet speed for faster and more efficient remote work.

1. Keep track of internet speeds in destination or country

Each country has a different internet speed. Before choosing a country as a destination for remote work, it is recommended to research the speeds. If you need high speeds to work, then choose places with higher connectivity speeds. It is worth noting that there is a tool for figuring out the average internet speed of a country. It is called Nomad List. All you have to do is search the city you want and see the average speed.

2. Computer upgrade

Most digital nomads are familiar with technology and definitely have upgraded computers. But there are some with not up-to-date computers. It would be good to have a hardware upgrade in case of incompatibilities with newer technology connections.

3. Minimize apps running in parallel on the computer

The more apps that use the internet run on the computer, the slower the speeds will be. One way to improve speed is to close those apps while you are working. This will reduce the use of internet and you will have higher speeds.

4. Plug in the computer while browsing the internet

Some laptops reduce the efficiency of the wireless network in order to save energy. The solution to this problem is to use the computer when it is plugged into an energy source.

5. Change your work position in the space

Your position in relation to the router plays an important role. A key action is to notice where you have the best wifi signal in the space of the room. The place where you have the strongest signal is ideal to settle for work. Also, avoid any obstacle between your computer and the router. This will give you a better and faster internet connection.

6. Use of ethernet cable

If you want faster internet connection, then ethernet usage is imperative. There are also cases where the use of wifi is enough and you do not need an ethernet cable. It always depends on your online activity and whether there is a suitable installation for using an ethernet cable.

7. Redefining VPN usage

VPN allows secure internet browsing. But to some extent it also slows down the internet speed. The solution is to use the VPN mainly in cases of sensitive data processing. If you do not process sensitive data, then it is recommended to close it for faster internet browsing.

 

 

3 ways to access the internet from anywhere in the world you work

Having outlined ways to improve internet speed, we will talk further about how you can have internet access.

Below we mention some ways to access the internet, quite useful for digital nomads.

1. Internet access from the accommodation

The best solution for digital nomads is to rent accommodation with high speed internet at the same time. This way you will know that you have a stable fast internet just for you. So there are no speed barriers as you will be the only one to use the internet.

But the question is how you would know the internet speed that prevails in the accommodation. There are two simple and easy ways to find out. One way is to contact the property owner and he/she would run a test on behalf of you through speedtest.net. As a result, you will know the exact speeds and compare between accommodations to find the best choice.

The second way is to rent accommodation through the Airbnb platform. The company recently introduced an internet speed test. This test allows anyone who lists their home with the short-term rental on Airbnb platform to share internet speeds with users. Owners run some quick connectivity speed checks and customers compare results before booking.

2. Use of co-working spaces, public wifi, local sim cards

Co-working spaces: These are places where digital nomads gather. There they can work without distractions, in company with other people with the same employment status. They pay a fee in order to have some amenities and work in an office environment. Among the amenities is the stable and fast internet. So this is a good solution for those digital nomads who want internet access.

Public wifi: Usually located in cafes, hotel lounges, on the streets, etc. There are several ways to find out about the existence of this type of wifi. Among them is the Nomad List which suggests coffee shops for digital nomads in different cities. In addition, another way is to visit a local group of digital nomads on Facebook and find out about places with public wifi.

Local sim cards: Another option is to purchase a local mobile sim card for internet access. The cost of these cards is quite low. The biggest benefit is the speeds you have and range between 4G or even 5G in some places. In addition, it will help you access the internet wherever you are.

3. Use of international hotspot devices and public wifi hotspots

International hotspot devices: These are devices where one inserts a sim card and has internet access in most countries. The connection is not perfect, but in general it is good enough and allows you to work online. The only disadvantage of these devices is their high price.

Public wifi hotspots: They are wifi networks with a monthly subscription fee. With this subscription you can access a large number of wifi hotspots in the place where you are installed. The disadvantage is the fact that there are limited places in the world that have a public wifi hotspot.

 

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Written by Eva Garyfallogianni