Nomad Emerges as Fastest Travel eSIM Provider in Ookla Speed Analysis

Nomad records the highest global median download speed among travel eSIM brands measured in Q2 2026

LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, September 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- From opening a boarding pass at the airport to joining a work call from overseas, travellers increasingly depend on mobile data from the moment they land. New analysis from Ookla shows just how widely travel eSIM performance can vary, with Nomad recording the highest global median download speed among the brands measured.

Ookla, the company behind Speedtest, analysed Android Speedtest data from more than 50 travel eSIM brands across approximately 190 destinations during Q2 2026.

Nomad eSIM achieved a global median download speed of 80.26 Mbps, narrowly ahead of 1GLOBAL at 80.21 Mbps. Ubigi recorded 75.89 Mbps, followed by Holafly at 56.87 Mbps and Airalo at 30.11 Mbps.

Based on the figures published by Ookla, Nomad's measured median download speed was approximately 2.7 times Airalo's and 41% faster than Holafly's during the period analysed.

Shern Ng, General Manager at Nomad eSIM, said:

“Reliable mobile data has become an essential part of travelling, whether people are navigating unfamiliar places, accessing bookings, making payments, staying in touch or working while abroad. We’re therefore proud that Nomad recorded the highest global median download speed among the travel eSIM brands measured in Ookla’s analysis.

Independent performance data gives travellers greater transparency and helps them make a more informed choice before their trip. While speed is not the only factor behind a strong connection, it plays an important role in making everyday travel tasks feel quick and seamless. We’ll continue working closely with our network partners to provide customers with a fast, reliable and convenient way to stay connected abroad.”


The hidden factors affecting travel eSIM performance

The study found that connecting to a strong local mobile network does not automatically guarantee the same experience for every eSIM user. Performance can also be affected by wholesale network agreements, speed restrictions and where a provider routes its internet traffic.

Ookla highlighted one example on the same mobile network in Japan. A travel eSIM using a local internet exit recorded median latency of 54 milliseconds, while one routing traffic through Madrid recorded 543 milliseconds.

This difference can make video calls, gaming and other real-time applications feel noticeably less responsive, even when the headline download speed appears strong.

The analysis also identified significant variation in 5G access between providers and speed patterns that may indicate caps or throttling on some plans.

Nomad is encouraging travellers to look beyond price when choosing an eSIM and check:

- Whether independent, real-world performance data is available.
- Whether high-speed data is subject to daily limits or fair-use restrictions.
- Which networks and connection types are supported in their destination.
- Whether hotspot or tethering is available if they plan to connect another device.

Shern Ng added:

"Travellers should not have to guess what kind of connection they are buying. Clear plan terms and independent evidence make it easier to choose an eSIM that fits how they actually intend to use their phone abroad."

Nomad's result represents the global median recorded in Ookla's Q2 2026 dataset. Individual performance can vary according to destination, plan, device, local network, coverage, network traffic and other conditions.


Notes to editors:

- The Ookla analysis is available at: https://www.ookla.com/articles/travel-esim-performance
- Ookla analysed Android Speedtest data from Q2 2026.
- The research covered more than 50 identifiable travel eSIM brands across approximately 190 destinations.
- The figures are global medians reported by Ookla and do not guarantee the performance of every plan or individual connection.
- Nomad recorded the highest published global median download speed among the travel eSIM brands measured. This should not be described as an official Ookla award or an overall ranking across every aspect of eSIM performance.

About Nomad eSIM

Nomad eSIM helps travellers stay connected through digital mobile data plans for destinations around the world. Customers can purchase and manage plans through Nomad's website or app without replacing their physical SIM card. For more information, visit

Louis Sim
Nomad eSIM
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