Your internet connection is your office. When it fails, you cannot work. This makes reliable connectivity the single most important infrastructure consideration for any remote worker—and it's the one most people plan for last.

Before You Arrive: Research Phase

1. Check Speedtest Data

Search "[City name] internet speed Speedtest" to get aggregate data on typical connection speeds. Look for cities with average download speeds above 50 Mbps—this handles video calls, cloud sync, and most development work comfortably.

2. Read Coworking Reviews

Coworking spaces in your target city are your insurance policy. Research options on Google Maps, read recent reviews specifically mentioning internet speed and reliability. A coworking space with fibre optic internet is your fallback when accommodation Wi-Fi fails.

3. Check Accommodation Listings

When booking short-term rentals, specifically look for:

  • Listed internet speed (some hosts include Speedtest screenshots)
  • "Suitable for remote work" or "dedicated workspace" tags
  • Recent reviews mentioning work-from-home experience

Contact hosts directly to ask about internet speed and reliability. Most are happy to run a Speedtest and send you the results.

Day One Setup: The Connectivity Stack

Layer 1: Accommodation Wi-Fi

Your primary connection. Test it immediately upon arrival:

  • Run Speedtest (speedtest.net or the app)
  • Test a video call to check for latency and packet loss
  • Test at different times of day (evenings are often congested in shared buildings)

Layer 2: Mobile Data Backup

Always have a working mobile data connection:

  • eSIM services (like Airalo or Holafly) let you activate data plans instantly without visiting a shop
  • Local SIM cards often offer better rates for longer stays—buy one at the airport or a phone shop
  • Budget for at least 10-15GB/month as a hotspot backup

Layer 3: Coworking Fallback

Identify 2-3 coworking spaces within 15 minutes of your accommodation. Many offer day passes (£10-20) if you only need them occasionally. The monthly cost (typically £100-250 in European cities) is justified insurance if your accommodation internet proves unreliable.

Emergency Protocols

When everything fails (and it will, eventually):

  1. Tether to your phone for immediate connectivity
  2. Relocate to a café or coworking space with known reliable Wi-Fi
  3. Reschedule non-essential video calls (async communication works over poor connections; video calls don't)
  4. Use your AI agent's offline capabilities for tasks that don't require internet (local model inference, document drafting, code generation)

The Tools

  • Speedtest by Ookla: Measure download, upload, and latency
  • WiFi Analyzer apps: Check channel congestion and signal strength
  • VPN: Essential for security on public networks, but can reduce speeds—test with and without
  • Cloud sync with offline mode: Ensure Obsidian (local by default), Google Docs (offline mode), and your code editor work without connectivity

The Mindset

Treat internet reliability as a business-critical infrastructure decision, not a convenience. Budget for it (data plans, coworking memberships). Plan for failure (backup layers). And never, ever rely on a single connection for client-critical work.