5G Attracts ASEAN Digital Nomads

New Speedtest analysis from Ookla suggests that 5G connectivity has now spread to every well known digital nomad destination across the ASEAN region, with the report also noting that performance differences between networks in these hotspots appear to be closing up. The data reportedly draws on comparisons across 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi to build a picture of how remote workers experience connectivity while based in Southeast Asia.

For UK readers, this kind of Speedtest Based comparison offers a useful international benchmark, showing how quickly emerging 5G markets can catch up once coverage becomes widespread rather than patchy.

It is encouraging to see 5G availability becoming near universal across a region popular with remote workers, though the real test is whether narrowing performance gaps translate into consistently reliable speeds rather than just broader coverage on paper.

For the full story, head over to the original report at Ookla Report.

What is ASEAN?

ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a political and economic bloc of ten countries in Southeast Asia. It includes popular remote work destinations such as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Cambodia, among others. The region has become a magnet for digital nomads thanks to a mix of low living costs, established co-working scenes, and increasingly reliable mobile and broadband infrastructure, which is exactly why network performance data from ASEAN hotspots is worth paying attention to.

What the Ookla data actually shows

Digging further into the Ookla report, the data breaks down performance city by city rather than treating the region as a single block. Nomad hubs such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Bali (Canggu and Ubud), Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Kuala Lumpur are named as locations where 5G is now consistently available, rather than limited to a few central districts. The report also highlights that median download speeds on 5G in these cities are reportedly several times faster than the 4G speeds recorded in the same locations, which matters for anyone relying on video calls or large file uploads while working remotely.

One of the more interesting points raised is around consistency rather than peak speed. Ookla's methodology looks at how tightly clustered performance is between the top operators in each market, and the report suggests that gap has narrowed in several ASEAN countries compared with previous quarters. In practical terms, that means a nomad is less likely to get a noticeably worse experience just by picking the "wrong" network in a given city, which was more of an issue in earlier years when one operator often had a clear lead.

Wi-Fi is also factored into the analysis, since many nomads split their time between co-working spaces, cafes, and mobile data. The report notes that fixed Wi-Fi in several of these hubs still outperforms mobile on raw speed, but mobile networks are closing that distance too, particularly in city centres with dense 5G deployment.

Why this matters beyond Southeast Asia

This kind of comparative data is a useful reminder that coverage maps only tell part of the story. A country can show near universal 5G availability on paper while still having wide swings in real world performance between providers. That is the same principle UK readers should apply when comparing operators at home, and it is worth checking a Speedtest Based comparison rather than relying on marketing claims alone.

It also reflects a wider pattern Ookla has tracked elsewhere. The firm's reporting on networks under pressure, such as its analysis of how AI demands suggest 5G networks not ready, shows that raw coverage figures rarely capture the full picture of whether a network can handle real world load consistently.

For anyone planning an extended trip through the region, whether for remote work or otherwise, having a reliable local eSIM (a digital SIM that lets you switch networks without swapping a physical card) or a multi-country data plan can smooth over the differences between operators in each city. It is worth comparing local eSIM and SIM options before you travel rather than relying on roaming charges from a UK provider.

Over to you

Bangkok, Bali, Chiang Mai, Da Nang, and Kuala Lumpur all get a mention in this latest data, but every nomad seems to have a personal favourite based on more than just download speeds. Which of these ASEAN hubs would you rate highest for reliable mobile coverage, and are there any other cities in the region you think deserve more attention? Let us know in the comments which locations you rate, and why.