Medellín's internet infrastructure is one of the best in Latin America. Fiber is widely deployed, speeds are competitive, and most apartments have something usable. The problem for nomads is that 'something usable' ranges from 500 Mbps fiber to a 10 Mbps DSL line being marketed as 'great WiFi.' Here's how to verify what you're actually getting.
What's Realistic to Expect
- Newer apartments (post-2018): usually 100–500+ Mbps fiber. Plenty for video calls, large uploads, streaming.
- Older buildings (pre-2010): often still DSL or early-generation fiber. 20–50 Mbps is common.
- Rural areas or old buildings in El Centro: sometimes under 20 Mbps. Verify before signing.
Main Providers
- Claro — largest, widest coverage, solid fiber service.
- Movistar — second largest, comparable fiber in most of the city.
- Tigo / Tigo UNE — strong fiber footprint in Medellín specifically.
- ETB — smaller, decent in some areas.
For nomads renting furnished, the internet is usually already installed and included — you don't pick the provider. Your job is to verify the speed.
How to Verify Before You Sign
- Ask for a speed test screenshot from inside the apartment on both WiFi and, if possible, ethernet. fast.com or speedtest.net both work.
- Ask for the apartment's WiFi SSID and password during your viewing — do your own test in the room where you'd work.
- Test at different times. Peak-hour speeds (7–10 PM) can drop dramatically in older buildings with shared infrastructure.
- Confirm the plan tier. A 500 Mbps plan performs very differently from a 20 Mbps plan under load.
Red flag: If a landlord refuses to give you WiFi access during a viewing or can't produce a speed test, assume the speed is bad and budget for a backup.
Backup Options
- Mobile hotspot via local SIM. Claro and Movistar 4G/5G both hit 40–200 Mbps in most of the metro area. Solid fallback.
- Coworking day pass. Drop-in day passes at Selina or Tinkko run $12–22 and will save a critical call day.
- Café WiFi. Usable for emails and lighter calls; less reliable for video-heavy work.
Power Cuts and Service Interruptions
Unplanned internet outages happen, especially during heavy rain. They're rare but not zero. Having a mobile-data hotspot as backup saves you roughly once per two-month stay.
Find Accommodation
FAQ
What speed do I actually need?
For solo video calls: 15–25 Mbps down, 5+ Mbps up. For streaming plus calls: 50+ Mbps. For heavy uploads (video, CAD files): 100+ Mbps matters. Fiber plans in Medellín easily handle all of these.
Is 5G available in Medellín?
Yes, deployed through major carriers and usable in most central neighborhoods. Speeds vary widely block-by-block.
Can I bring my own router?
Usually yes, and in older buildings it can meaningfully improve your WiFi experience. Clear it with the landlord first if they provided the original equipment.