Internet & Connectivity

The global internet landscape has never been more favorable for US citizens considering life abroad. As of early 2026, median fixed broadband speeds exceed 300 Mbps in leading nations like Singapore (345 Mbps), the UAE (314 Mbps), and Hong Kong (312 Mbps), while the global average download speed sits around 75 Mbps. Fiber-to-the-home deployment continues to accelerate across Europe, East Asia, and parts of Latin America, and 5G mobile networks have matured in dozens of countries, with the UAE achieving a staggering 653 Mbps median mobile download speed. For remote workers, the combination of fast fixed broadband, widespread coworking infrastructure, and affordable eSIM data plans means staying productive from almost any continent is now routine rather than exceptional. Connectivity options for expats have diversified significantly. The eSIM revolution has made it trivially easy to get online in 200-plus countries without swapping physical SIM cards, with providers like Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad offering plans starting under $10. Starlink satellite internet is now operational in over 100 countries and expanding to 48 more markets in 2026, providing a crucial backup in areas with limited terrestrial infrastructure. Meanwhile, home broadband costs vary enormously: Eastern European countries like Romania and Poland offer fiber at a few cents per Mbps, while monthly plans in Southeast Asia average $36 and Latin America around $21, all substantially cheaper than the US average. However, internet freedom continues to decline globally. Freedom House's 2025 report documented the 15th consecutive year of deteriorating online freedoms, with conditions worsening in 27 of 72 countries studied. VPNs remain essential tools in countries with censorship or geo-restrictions, though they are outright banned in North Korea, Belarus, Iraq, and Turkmenistan, and heavily restricted in China, Russia, Iran, and Myanmar. US citizens planning relocations should carefully evaluate not just speed and cost but also the openness and reliability of their destination's internet ecosystem.

Key Points

• 1Singapore leads global fixed broadband speeds at 345 Mbps median download, followed by UAE (314 Mbps) and Hong Kong (312 Mbps) as of January 2026 per Ookla Speedtest data
• 2The UAE dominates mobile internet with 653 Mbps median mobile download speed, followed by Qatar at 515 Mbps, making the Middle East the global leader in mobile connectivity
• 3Starlink expanded to 26 new countries in 2025 and now serves over 100 countries, with 48 additional markets targeted for 2026; residential pricing ranges from $40/month in parts of Europe to $120/month in the US
• 4eSIM providers like Airalo (137 countries, from $9), Holafly (113 countries, unlimited data from $9.90/day), and Nomad (106 countries, 50GB for approximately $27) have largely replaced physical SIM cards for international connectivity
• 5Home broadband costs vary dramatically: Romania at $0.01 per Mbps, Vietnam and South Korea around $0.05 per Mbps, versus the US at roughly $0.30 per Mbps, making many expat destinations far cheaper for internet
• 6Freedom House reports the 15th consecutive year of declining global internet freedom in 2025, with China and Myanmar ranked as the worst environments; VPNs are fully banned in North Korea, Belarus, Iraq, and Turkmenistan
• 7Coworking spaces cost $100-$200/month in Bangkok and Bali, $280-$370/month in Lisbon, and $225/month median in the US; WeWork All Access global membership runs approximately $430/month for access in dozens of countries