I Work Remotely from Bali, and My Internet Went Down in the Middle of a Presentation. Here’s What It Taught Me.

Working remotely from Bali sounds like a dream come true. A laptop on the table, tropical greenery outside the window, coffee within reach, and a team meeting with people thousands of miles away.

Until the internet stops working.

Mine went down at exactly the worst possible moment. I was in the middle of an important online presentation. My screen was being shared, several people were on the call, and I was just getting to the key slide when everything suddenly froze. First the video. Then the audio. Finally, the dreaded connection-lost message appeared.

That was the moment I realized that, for someone working remotely, internet access abroad isn’t a convenience. It’s part of the infrastructure you need to do your job. Just like your laptop, charger, or access to company tools.

Since then, my approach to eSIMs, roaming, local SIM cards, and mobile internet abroad has changed completely.

Internet Abroad: Why One Connection Isn’t Enough

My first mistake was simple: I trusted a single internet connection.

The apartment had Wi-Fi. The speed seemed perfectly fine for everyday browsing. YouTube worked. Messaging apps worked. So I assumed I had internet access covered.

The problem is that fast internet during a quick test doesn’t necessarily mean stable internet during a video conference.

For a digital nomad, maximum download speed isn’t the only thing that matters. You also need to consider:

• connection stability,
• upload speed,
• latency,
• sudden ping spikes,
• network congestion,
• the ability to quickly switch to another network,
• mobile coverage in your exact location.

A connection can deliver excellent results in a speed test and start dropping packets a few minutes later during a Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet call.

That led to my most important lesson: when working remotely abroad, I need a primary internet connection and a backup internet connection.

eSIM as Backup Mobile Internet for Remote Work

In my case, the problem wasn’t simply that the Wi-Fi stopped working. The real problem was that I didn’t have a plan B ready.

And this is where an eSIM becomes much more valuable to a remote worker than simply being a convenient option while on vacation.

An eSIM is a digital SIM that can be installed without inserting a physical SIM card into your phone. On a compatible device, you can add a suitable data plan and use mobile internet in your destination country.

For a traveler, that means convenience.

For a digital nomad, it means an additional layer of security.

How Can an eSIM Help When Wi-Fi Goes Down?

A typical scenario might look like this:

1. You’re working on Wi-Fi in a hotel, apartment, or coworking space.
2. The connection suddenly becomes unstable.
3. You already have an active eSIM with a data plan on your phone.
4. You turn on your mobile hotspot.
5. You connect your laptop to mobile internet.
6. You rejoin the meeting.

This doesn’t mean every eSIM will provide a perfect connection everywhere. Coverage depends on factors such as the local networks supported by the service and your exact location.

What matters most is redundancy. One connection going down doesn’t have to mean the end of your working day.

eSIM, Roaming, or a Local SIM Card – What Should You Choose in Bali and Abroad?

There is no single solution that works best for every traveler. It’s worth comparing the most common options.

eSIM

The biggest advantage of an eSIM is that you can prepare your internet connection before you travel. You don’t have to start looking for a local mobile operator as soon as you land.

It’s particularly useful if:

• you frequently travel between countries,
• you work while traveling,
• you need internet access immediately after arrival,
• you want to keep your physical SIM card in your phone,
• you need an additional data plan as a backup.

Roaming

Traditional roaming has one major advantage: convenience. You keep using your existing number and don’t need to install another SIM.

Outside the EU, however, the situation can be very different from traveling within the European Union. Prices, packages, and data allowances depend on your carrier and destination.

Before traveling, check:

• mobile data rates,
• available roaming packages,
• data allowances,
• package validity,
• what happens when you exceed your allowance.

A few minutes of intensive data usage without the right package can end up costing considerably more than expected.

Local SIM Card

A local SIM can be an excellent choice for a longer stay. It often provides competitive data packages and direct access to a local mobile operator’s network.

However, you need to account for the time required to purchase the SIM, complete any registration requirements, and configure it.

If you regularly move between countries, repeating this process every time can quickly become inconvenient.

Internet Without Traditional Roaming – Why eSIM Appeals to Digital Nomads

The phrase “internet without roaming” needs some clarification.

It doesn’t mean your phone somehow stops using mobile operators’ infrastructure. From the user’s perspective, the important difference is that instead of relying on standard roaming from your primary SIM, you can use a separate data plan designed for a specific country or region.

This gives you more control over costs.

Before traveling, you can purchase a specific data package, know how much data it includes, and understand how long it remains valid.

For remote workers, predictable costs can be almost as important as internet availability itself.

How Much Mobile Data Does a Digital Nomad Need?

This is one of the most important questions to answer before buying an eSIM.

Don’t choose your package based solely on the length of your trip. Two people spending a month in Bali can have completely different data requirements.

Someone who mainly uses messaging apps and email will consume considerably less data than someone who participates in video conferences every day.

Some of the biggest data consumers include:

• video conferencing,
• uploading and downloading large files,
• cloud synchronization,
• video streaming,
• operating system and app updates,
• cloud backups,
• tethering your laptop to your phone.

A Backup Data Plan vs. Your Primary Connection

If your eSIM is only intended as an emergency backup, you may not need a huge data allowance.

However, if mobile internet will be your primary connection, the calculation changes.

Before choosing a package, ask yourself three questions:

• How many hours of video calls do I have each week?
• Do I regularly upload or download large files?
• Will I use my phone as a hotspot for my laptop?

Only then should you choose your data allowance.

Mobile Router or Smartphone Hotspot?

For a short Wi-Fi outage, using your smartphone as a hotspot is usually the fastest solution.

You simply enable internet sharing, and within moments your laptop can use your mobile connection.

For longer working sessions, however, a mobile router may be worth considering.

A Smartphone Hotspot Works Well When:

• you need emergency internet access,
• you work on the move,
• you don’t want to carry another device,
• you only use mobile internet occasionally.

Consider a Mobile Router When:

• you work online every day,
• you connect multiple devices,
• you travel frequently,
• mobile internet is your primary connection,
• you don’t want to constantly drain your phone’s battery.

A router obviously won’t solve the problem of poor mobile coverage. But it can make your mobile workspace considerably more organized and reliable.

A Digital Nomad’s Biggest Mistake? Testing the Internet Five Minutes Before a Meeting

After my presentation disaster, I changed one more habit.

I no longer check the internet immediately before an important meeting.

I check it well in advance.

Whenever I arrive somewhere new, I run a simple test:

• check the Wi-Fi,
• measure download and upload speeds,
• verify connection stability,
• check mobile network coverage,
• activate the eSIM,
• test the hotspot,
• connect my laptop to the backup connection.

The worst possible moment to discover that your hotspot doesn’t work or your eSIM hasn’t been activated correctly is 30 seconds after your Wi-Fi disappears during a client meeting.

What Should You Look for When Choosing an eSIM and Internet Abroad?

I wouldn’t choose an eSIM based solely on the number of gigabytes and the price.

For remote workers, several additional factors matter.

1. Coverage at Your Destination

Check which networks the selected service uses. The same country can have excellent coverage in one region and significantly weaker coverage elsewhere.

2. Data Allowance

Your package should match how you actually use the internet. A tourist who mainly needs Google Maps has very different requirements from someone who spends several hours a day on video calls.

3. Validity Period

A 5 GB package valid for a few days and a 5 GB package valid for a month are two very different products from a traveler’s perspective.

4. Hotspot Availability

If you plan to share your mobile internet connection with your laptop, check the terms of your chosen plan. Tethering rules can vary between providers and packages.

5. When the Package Activates

Check when the validity period begins: at purchase, installation, or the first connection to a supported network.

6. Top-Up Options

If you use all your data during an important project, being able to quickly purchase additional data is a major advantage.

7. Supported Devices

Before purchasing, make sure your phone supports eSIM and isn’t locked in a way that prevents you from using your chosen service.

Digital Nomad Checklist: Internet Before an Important Meeting

Before a presentation, job interview, webinar, or client meeting, I now check much more than my laptop battery.

My checklist looks like this:

• primary Wi-Fi is stable,
• upload speed and latency have been checked,
• my phone has good mobile coverage,
• the eSIM is installed,
• the data package is active,
• there is enough data remaining,
• the hotspot works,
• the laptop can connect to the hotspot,
• automatic updates and cloud backups won’t suddenly consume my data,
• my devices are charged or I have a power bank.

This checklist takes only a few minutes. And it can save a meeting worth considerably more than the cost of an additional data package.

Are eSIM and Backup Mobile Internet Abroad Worth It?

If you travel once a year and mainly use the internet for maps and sending photos, the answer depends primarily on price and convenience.

For remote workers, the calculation is different.

Imagine that because of an internet outage:

• you miss a meeting with a potential client,
• you can’t host a paid webinar,
• you disappear in the middle of an important presentation,
• you fail to deliver a project before a deadline,
• you have to desperately search for a café with working Wi-Fi.

In that scenario, backup mobile internet abroad isn’t simply another travel expense.

It’s a way to protect the continuity of your work.

That doesn’t mean you need to buy the largest available eSIM package for every trip. It means choosing a reasonable backup based on the potential consequences of losing your connection.

If one hour of your work or a single client meeting is worth more than the cost of an additional data package, the answer to “Is it worth it?” often becomes fairly straightforward.

My New Travel Internet System: 3 Levels of Backup

After that disastrous presentation, I stopped treating internet access as a single service.

Now I think about it in layers.

Level 1: Primary Wi-Fi

Hotel, apartment, coworking space, or another reliable fixed connection.

This is the best option for everyday work, especially when transferring large files or spending a lot of time on video calls.

Level 2: eSIM With a Data Package

The second layer is an eSIM installed on my phone.

If Wi-Fi stops working, I can quickly switch to mobile internet and share the connection with my laptop.

Level 3: Alternative Workspace

A coworking space, hotel lobby, or another previously checked location with a reliable connection.

If the problem affects the entire infrastructure at my accommodation or mobile coverage is poor, I need an option that doesn’t depend on my room or apartment.

Only these three layers make me feel that my travel internet setup is genuinely ready for work rather than just good enough for browsing Instagram.

Mobile Internet Abroad – What Did the Bali Outage Teach Me?

Above all, it taught me that “I have Wi-Fi” and “I can reliably work online” are not the same thing.

Digital nomads need to approach connectivity differently from ordinary tourists.

If a tourist loses internet access for an hour, they might not be able to check a map or upload their photos until later.

A remote worker can lose a meeting, a client, or the ability to complete an important task during that same hour.

That’s why I no longer think only about accommodation, flights, and insurance before traveling. My internet setup is just as important.

FAQ – eSIM, Roaming, and Internet Abroad

Does eSIM Work in Bali?

An eSIM can provide internet access in Bali if your chosen plan covers Indonesia, your device is compatible, and a supported mobile network is available at your location. Before purchasing, check the plan coverage, supported networks, and specific terms.

Is eSIM Better Than Roaming?

It depends on your carrier’s offer and how you travel. Roaming with your existing carrier can be extremely convenient, while an eSIM allows you to use a separate data plan. When traveling outside the EU, compare prices, data allowances, and validity periods before deciding.

Can I Use an eSIM as a Hotspot for My Laptop?

Many eSIM plans allow you to share your connection through a mobile hotspot, but the rules can vary between plans. If you intend to use an eSIM as emergency internet for remote work, check whether tethering is supported before purchasing.

How Many GB Do I Need for Remote Work?

There is no universal answer. It depends entirely on how you work. Email and messaging apps consume relatively little data, while video conferences, cloud services, and large files can quickly increase your usage. When choosing a data package, analyze a typical working week rather than looking only at the length of your trip.

Is It Worth Buying an eSIM Before Traveling?

For many travelers, one of the biggest advantages is being able to prepare their connection in advance. That means you don’t have to start your trip by searching for a local SIM card. However, check the activation rules of your specific package before traveling.

Can eSIM Replace Wi-Fi for Remote Work?

It can, but it shouldn’t always have to. Much depends on mobile coverage, your data allowance, and the quality of the local network. For digital nomads, one of the best strategies is often to combine stable Wi-Fi with mobile internet as a backup connection.

Conclusion: If You Work Remotely, Backup Internet Is Part of Your Office

Losing my internet connection during a presentation in Bali taught me more than several previous months of trouble-free remote work.

The biggest lesson?

You don’t need internet that “usually works.” You need a plan for the moment when it doesn’t.

Wi-Fi can be your primary connection. An eSIM with the right data package can become your backup. A smartphone hotspot or mobile router allows you to quickly bring that mobile connection to your laptop. And a previously checked alternative workspace gives you another option if there’s a larger outage.

If you work remotely abroad, treat internet access while traveling just as seriously as your laptop and access to company systems.

Before your next trip, check the available eSIM packages for your destination. Even if you never need to use your backup connection, knowing that you can get online quickly when Wi-Fi fails can be incredibly valuable when working remotely.

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