💻 Remote working in Norway: internet without surprises and protests without stress

Working remotely here is a pleasure: fast internet in apartments and offices, reliable mobile networks in cities and even in most villages, plus clear rules for communication on conference calls. This article is a practical guide: where to find stable internet for video, how to set up a backup via eSIM, whether you can go to a cabin and still meet your deadlines, what speeds are considered ‘sufficient’ and how to coordinate slots with colleagues in the EU and US according to local time without staying up late.

📶 Where can you find reliable internet for video calls?

For stationary work, the best option is a wired connection (fibre): according to the regulator, 100 Mbit/s coverage is available to more than 99% of households (as of the end of 2024). This effectively means that stable video calls are not a rarity in cities and suburbs, but the norm. If you are on a mobile network, go for Telia, Telenor and Ice: Telia has 5G coverage for ~99% of the population (by December 2024), and in comparative measurements, Telia leads in 5G coverage, while Telenor is often ahead in overall availability. Before renting accommodation, check the official coverage maps of the operators and double-check the address.

Quick reference: in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger, and Tromsø, most providers (Altibox/partners, Telenor, Telia) offer fibre optics, and mobile 4G/5G provides a reliable backup. A SimulaMet study notes very high stability of mobile connections across the country (availability rates of over 99.99% for a significant portion of sessions). For work, this means that even if there are interruptions in the ‘wired’ connection, you can quickly switch to a smartphone modem and finish your meeting.

🏔 Is it possible to work from a cabin: what speeds are considered ‘sufficient’?

Yes. There are two strategies: (1) a cabin with fibre optics — no worries at all; (2) a cabin with mobile internet — check coverage in advance and get a backup eSIM.

For video calls, use simple figures as a guide: Zoom and its competitors work consistently at 1.5–3 Mbit/s for ‘incoming/outgoing’ (HD), and for 1080p — around 3–4 Mbit/s. A universal recommendation is to have a reserve: 10/10 Mbit/s and a stable ping so that screen sharing, cloud documents and cloud backups don't interfere with the meeting. If you are near mountains or forests and the nearest cell tower is far away, a 4G/5G router by the window and an external antenna will help. as a last resort, satellite internet (Starlink) where there is little cellular coverage.

Where to check coverage and rates for your location: first, check the Telia and Telenor maps for your exact address. If you want a ‘double’ backup, keep two eSIMs from different networks (for example, your main one and a ‘hot’ monthly package).

📱 eSIM/operators: how to set up a backup in 10 minutes

All three major operators support eSIM: Telenor, Telia and Ice. You can connect via the operator's app or using a QR code in your account: it's quick and you don't have to wait for a plastic SIM card.

On iPhone and most modern Android devices, you can switch the active eSIM directly in the settings — convenient when your main channel is down. If you make work calls on the street or on the train, a 5G phone with an eSIM backup plus a high-quality headset is the most reliable setup for everyday use.

🗣 Remote meeting etiquette: local unspoken rules

Punctuality and short slots are valued here. It is best to schedule meetings for 25 or 50 minutes so that everyone has time to transition between meetings. The evening is personal time, so try not to schedule slots after 4 p.m. Lunch is also sacred, so it's best not to schedule anything between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Mini checklist: a clear agenda in the invitation, connect a couple of minutes before the start, camera on depending on the team, microphone on when speaking, and the last 3–5 minutes for a summary and tasks. If you are meeting with external partners, let them know if you will be using mobile internet: people are more understanding when they know where you are.

🕒 How to plan calls with colleagues from the EU/US according to local time?

The local time zone is CET (winter, UTC+1) and CEST (summer, UTC+2). Europe is synchronised, so it is convenient to book 10:00–15:00 local time with the EU: this is comfortable for all parties. For the US, look for ‘overlaps’. On US East, 15:00–17:00 CET/CEST (09:00–11:00 New York time) is convenient. On US West, 17:00–19:00 CET/CEST (08:00–10:00 California time) is convenient. Keep in mind: the switch to ‘summer/winter’ in the EU is on the last Sunday in March/October, and in the US it is on the second Sunday in March/first Sunday in November, so for 2–3 weeks a year the time difference ‘floats’ by +/−1 hour — check your calendar.

Life hack: set up availability ‘bands’ in your calendar (Working hours) so that colleagues in other time zones know when to call you without violating local rules about ‘no later than 4 p.m.’

Remote work here consists of three building blocks: fast internet at home/in the office, a strong mobile network as a backup, and respect for time — your own and others'. Check coverage at your address, keep a second operator's eSIM just in case, and for remote work, plan your connection as if you were going out into the field: speed with a margin, equipment near a window, files downloaded in advance. Meetings should be short, to the point, without ‘late surprises.’ With this set-up, you can move freely between cities, fjords and mountain lakes without losing the rhythm of your team.

Share your experiences in the comments: which operators and set-ups you use, how the hytte networks performed, and which time slots worked best for calls across the ocean.