Southeast Asia continues to strengthen its position as a hub for digital nomads and remote workers, with Ookla’s latest report highlighting generally strong mobile connectivity across the region’s popular destinations. While mobile networks are proving increasingly capable, the report also reveals important differences in fixed broadband reliability and Wi-Fi technology.
Among the 13 destinations measured, Da Nang, Vietnam, recorded the fastest median mobile download speed at 215.56 Mbps. At the other end of the range, Cebu in the Philippines posted 55.48 Mbps. Despite the gap, mobile performance remains broadly satisfactory for remote work. Median download speeds increased in 12 of the 13 destinations over the past year, indicating continued improvements in mobile network performance.
The expansion of 5G availability is another positive development. Availability increased across all 13 destinations, ranging from an impressive 83.8% in Phuket, Thailand, to 40.0% in Penang, Malaysia. However, greater access to 5G has not necessarily translated into more consistent performance. The share of 5G samples meeting the benchmark of at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload declined in seven destinations.
Network stability also deserves attention. Mobile jitter remained below the 30 ms threshold that Microsoft Teams considers poor for video calls in every destination. Da Nang recorded the lowest jitter at just 7 ms, while Cebu had the highest at 18 ms. However, jitter increased year over year in 11 of the 13 destinations, suggesting that connection stability could become a growing concern for remote professionals.
Fixed broadband is where the differences between destinations become much more pronounced. Singapore led with a median download speed of 447.75 Mbps, while Jakarta, Indonesia, recorded 60.33 Mbps. Reliability can also vary significantly. Chiang Mai, Thailand, for example, delivered a 258.50 Mbps median speed, but only 65.7% of fixed samples achieved the 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload benchmark.
Finally, Wi-Fi remains an important part of the remote-work equation. A fast fixed connection can still result in a poor experience if the local Wi-Fi network is outdated. Singapore stands out, with 34.4% of reported Wi-Fi connections using Wi-Fi 7—7.5 times the share of the next ASEAN destination. Meanwhile, legacy Wi-Fi 4 remains common in Jakarta and Bali, accounting for 42.7% and 41.9% of connections, respectively.
Overall, the findings show that Southeast Asia remains well-positioned for remote work, but speed, consistency, reliability, and Wi-Fi technology all matter when choosing a destination.
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