📡4G/5G coverage in Norway: where to look and how to check

Coverage maps are a great way to get an initial overview, but they don't include crucial details like concrete walls, evening traffic, and terrain "shadows." So, before you head off on your workation, it's a great idea to do a little reconnaissance. Check out the official maps, run a test route near your accommodation, and see how the ping, jitter and loss will be where you'll be making calls. We're going to explain how to draw up a field test plan, which metrics are more important than "megabits", and how to choose a provider based on your address so that Zoom/Meet doesn't let you down.

Where can you find official coverage maps?

Start with operator and regulator maps: they show 4G/5G zones and often allow you to filter by street/area. Important: the "indoor/outdoor" layers and different 5G bands give very different results — check both. Compare the maps with user reviews (forums/area guides) and speed test app data. The map is a starting point, not a guarantee: always confirm it with quick measurements at your address.

How to build a "field test" route?

Make a loop of 5–7 points: entrance to the house → apartment (workplace) → window/balcony → nearest café/co-working space → bus stop/train station. At each point, take three measurements at different times of the day (morning/afternoon/evening). Note the address/coordinates and mark "Indoor/Window/Outdoor". Where you plan important calls, add a short test call (5–10 minutes) — this shows stability better than a one-off speed test.

What metrics are important: ping/jitter/loss?

For voice calls, stability is more important than peak speeds:

● Ping — aim for ≤ 80 ms (preferably 60).

● Jitter — ≤ 30 ms (for group calls — ≤ 20 ms).

● Packet loss — ≤ 1–2%.

Uplink speed is more important than download speed: for 720p, maintain 3–5 Mbit/s upstream; for large groups and 1080p, maintain 6–10 Mbit/s+. Check these metrics at the actual workplace during prime time.

What are the minimum requirements for Zoom/Meet/Teams?

Guidelines: audio call — uplink 0.3–0.5 Mbit/s; 720p 1:1 — uplink 3–5 Mbit/s; 1080p group (4+) — uplink 6–10 Mbit/s. Try to keep ping ≤ 80/60 ms, jitter ≤ 30/20 ms, and loss ≤ 1–2%. Remember: different platforms encode differently, so rehearsing with your instrument is more important than theory — do a short test call.

How to test indoors/in concrete buildings?

Take paired measurements: at the router/window and in the back of the room. Thick walls and metal "eat" uplink and increase jitter. If you rely on mobile internet, place your router/phone near a window, use 5 GHz for your laptop, and use an Ethernet cable for important calls. In houses near water (rorbu) and concrete high-rises, enable VoWiFi if stable Wi-Fi is available.

How do weather and network congestion affect performance?

Rain/wind/drizzle have almost no direct effect on speed, but evening traffic (streaming/gaming) changes the picture: latency and jitter increase. Therefore, test at different times and plan important calls during "quiet windows". In tourist locations and at festivals, the network is more congested — keep a backup eSIM/route to a co-working space with wired internet.

How to keep a test log (template)?

Record the date/time, location, operator, eSIM/SIM profile, radio type (4G/5G), ping, jitter, losses, down/up, a brief call scenario (Audio/SD/HD/FHD; 1:1/Group) and notes. 10–15 lines are enough to see a pattern.

How to choose an operator by address?

Compare based on actual results: choose the operator that provides a stable uplink and low jitter in your apartment/area in the evening. It is advisable to have two operators (main + backup in the form of eSIM/modem). If fibre optic is already included in your rent, check it during prime time and keep the mobile network as a backup plan.

What to do if "it looks good on the map, but in reality it's not"?

Change your location in your apartment (near a window/higher up on the floor), switch between 4G and 5G, or lock the network to a specific band if your modem allows it. Try another operator — they may have a nearby base station with a better angle. For important calls, move to a co-working space or library and enable VoWiFi. Report the problem to your operator — sometimes changing your profile or settings helps.

When does an external antenna/repeater help?

An external antenna on a mobile router can boost the signal near a window — this is legal. However, cellular repeaters (signal boosters) often require operator permission and must be certified; unauthorised installation may be illegal and damage the network. First, try the "soft" methods: correct device location, different band/operator, Ethernet/VoWiFi.
* Check local regulations and equipment compatibility with your operator.

How to combine maps and "user" data?

Compare official maps with user reports and your own measurements. If the maps promise 5G "Indoors" but your tests are consistently worse, don't argue with the map — rely on your own figures. Keep a CSV log: it helps you make decisions and quickly switch to a backup channel at the right times.

Maps are a great theoretical starting point, but it's in the real world that the magic happens! Take a short route near your home, collect 10–15 lines in CSV, evaluate the evening uplink and jitter, and you will understand exactly where to make calls, which operator to choose, and what plan B to keep handy. This way, your workation will remain work-friendly, and the scenery will be just a backdrop, not a distraction.

I'm so excited to hear from you if you've found an inaccuracy or update, like map addresses, thresholds or operator policies. Just write to us via the feedback form in the catalogue and we will check and update the article as soon as we can. And don't forget to share your field reports in the comments — it's a great way to help everyone learn!