Internet speed in South Korea is the envy of the world
As BBC notes, communication capabilities influence and change the culture of countries around the world, and in many regions the digital element has already become embedded in everyday life. High-speed internet, constant online availability through mobile devices, and cashless payments are driving the global economy forward. And some countries are more oriented toward a digital future than others, constantly improving and developing online services and their accessibility.
To show which countries are at the forefront of advancing toward next-generation communications, the global expat community InterNations recently published a report, Digital Life Abroad, which ranks countries most convenient for highly skilled foreign workers in terms of the development and quality of online services. We spoke with residents of some of the countries that ranked high in the survey, which includes five categories. They told us what it is like to live in a society with one foot in the future.
Estonia (1st place overall)
In the InterNations ranking, this country takes first place overall, leading in the categories of "free internet access" and "online government services." Since Estonia declared independence and left the USSR, it has invested heavily in developing digital infrastructure.
The government-sponsored e-Estonia program allows online voting in elections, provides online banking services, online healthcare, and even allows obtaining e-residency (virtual citizenship for non-citizens of Estonia, which enables, for example, registering a company as Estonian).
The e-Estonia program today attracts "digital nomads" and foreign entrepreneurs with the opportunity to register a company in an EU country, which certainly benefits the Estonian economy.
"Here in Estonia, internet access is considered one of the basic human rights. Even on islands like picturesque Saaremaa, there is internet," says Austrian entrepreneur Alexandra Nima, who now lives in the capital Tallinn. "Everything here—from registering as a resident to opening a company (naturally, online)—is as fast as possible."
Such communication capabilities make even phone calls obsolete. "For me, it's much easier to ask for something via chat," says Tallinn resident Tarmo Annus, a developer of the Obyte cryptocurrency platform. "Instead of calling a store to find out if it's open on holidays, I just write to them on Viber."
However, such total digitalization also carries some dangers. In 2007, Estonia became the first country in the world to suffer a cyberattack. "That attack blocked websites and paralyzed the entire digital infrastructure. Bank cards and mobile phones did not work," says Dave Phillips, who was then the US ambassador to Estonia and has now written a book about it.
Following that attack, NATO compiled guidelines for action during international cyberattacks. Several NATO member states initiated the creation and opening of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn.
Finland (2nd place overall)
Finland consistently ranks high in four of the five categories and first in the category of cashless payments. The internet is so important to the country that in 2010, the government legislated the right of every citizen to have access to broadband internet, making Finland the first country in the world to do so.
"High-speed internet combined with freedom of speech makes our ecosystem more viable and secure," says Heikki Väänänen, executive director and founder of the online platform for customer feedback HappyOrNot, who lives in Tampere. "Access to information is available to everyone, creating equal opportunities to know and learn, and seriously affecting the country's future."
The ease of online access to government services and automatic translation of many services into other languages makes life easier for foreign specialists who have moved here.
"Having online services in English helps a lot if you don't understand Finnish," says Peter Synan, founder of the blog "My Home Finland," who has lived in Helsinki for eight years (he is originally from Scotland). "Now in Finland, you can book a doctor's appointment using an English-language website or read about your rights as an employee in this country (also in English). Compared to what it was like in 2004 when I first came here as an exchange student, this is a real breakthrough."
Digital infrastructure here develops hand in hand with education and a focus on communities, meaning investment in physical facilities where people can work on the internet.
"A new library with amazing digital capabilities just opened in central Helsinki," says Synan. "Such centers in neighborhoods are a wonderful place where people from all walks of life come to have a snack, exercise, and use the internet."
Interestingly, despite full connectivity, including mobile, most Finns do not suffer from a pathological attachment to the internet. In summer, Finns prefer not to stare at smartphone screens but to spend time in nature. Finland has over half a million summer cottages where Finns relax in the atmosphere of mökkielämä, cottage life.
Israel (6th place in overall ranking) <\/h2>
Israel took third places in the categories of "unlimited internet access" and "ease of obtaining a local mobile number." This country can be called a powerful center of innovative technology. Israelis like the nickname their country has earned – "Startup Nation" – and most rarely turn off their mobile apps for social networks and communications.<\/p>
"Even elderly people have smartphones. Old people hang out on Facebook, talk via video calls, chat on WhatsApp. You can easily meet here, say, a woman aged 60-70 using a messenger or making a video call to grandchildren somewhere in the US," says Maria Pinelis, an InterNations representative living in Israel.<\/p>
According to Raphael Hope, co-founder and CEO of media company Amen V'Amen, who lives near Tel Aviv, the internet in the country is fast, cheap, and reliable, which is valued by both entrepreneurs and "digital nomads." "Personally, I mostly work from home or from cafes, which means I rely quite heavily on public internet," he says. "Many cafes have free WiFi. In addition, many local internet providers in Israel offer free WiFi access to their users in many urban areas."<\/p>
Those who like the "startup" lifestyle usually head to Tel Aviv, known as the city that never sleeps, says Hope, and where most of the country's nearly a thousand startups are located. "This attracts many Israelis, especially young people, who are willing to pay high rent for housing in Tel Aviv just to be part of the community." <\/p>
Canada (7th place in overall ranking) <\/h2>
Canada ranked high in all categories, especially in access to government services online and cashless payments. Digital life is more developed here in large cities, where modern technologies have arrived faster and where internet access is better and more reliable.<\/p>
"Megacities like Toronto are more favorable for digital life," says Canadian Eric Vichopen, who blogs at Penguin and Pia. "Newer, smaller stores adapt faster to everything new in technology – including paying for purchases with a smartphone."<\/p>
Internet services in Canada are generally more expensive than in other countries, as the telecommunications industry is quite consolidated, and coverage in remote areas can be unreliable. "Canada regularly tops lists of countries with the most expensive internet. In addition, it has one of the slowest 'high-speed' accesses," says Thomas Jankowski, a senior employee at cryptocurrency trading platform Coinsquare.<\/p>
However, overall, the availability of government services online and unlimited internet access (8th and 11th places in these categories) makes Canada quite attractive for entrepreneurs who want to run their business from wherever they want.<\/p>
"The ability to register online and start company operations, handle accounting, pay bills online, and so on – all from home or a cafe, or even from a tent (if the campsite has WiFi) – works wonders in terms of reducing costs and saving time," emphasizes Jankowski. <\/p>
South Korea (27th place in overall ranking) <\/h2>
South Korea took first place in the category "availability of high-speed home internet."<\/p>
"Everyday life in South Korea flows quite quickly. From ordering groceries and their delivery to payment can take about five seconds," says Choi Ye-yoon, born in Seoul, who particularly likes the convenience of KaKao Bank, a mix of online banking and messenger.<\/p>
The country ranked especially high in the category "home internet speed." Its internet is indeed considered the fastest in the world, which opens up wide opportunities for online entertainment – from games to video streaming.<\/p>
"It's great that we don't have to get bored on the train – we can watch YouTube or surf hashtags on Instagram," says Choi. Seoul resident Lee Namu confirms: "Internet speed in Korea is the envy of the world. I take for granted uninterrupted video streaming, super-fast downloads of anything, and video chat chatter."<\/p>
The state provides relatively open internet access (unlike neighboring China or North Korea), which promotes civic engagement. "Digital equality has contributed to the advancement of democracy in South Korea," says Choi Ye-yoon. "Unlimited internet access makes citizens more interested in social issues, helps them easily gather for protests against wrong decisions by politicians."<\/p>
Social networks are credited with significantly strengthening the protests of 2016-2017, which led to the resignation of President Park Geun-hye, accused of corruption and abuse of power. They also played a role in joining the global #MeToo movement, resulting in arrests on charges of sexual harassment.<\/p>
However, a number of online services and mobile apps leave much to be desired, even if access to them is super-fast. "Some digital services are difficult to use, programs can sometimes lag. There are also personal data leaks," emphasizes Lee.<\/p>
In early 2019, it was revealed that some South Korean mobile apps for the Android system allowed leaks of passwords and financial data. In a recent ranking by legal portal Bloomberg Law, the country was recognized as the most risky in terms of potential data leaks. Lee prefers to use American analogs of Korean apps – such as Amazon or PayPal – including because of their more user-friendly interface.<\/p>