You’ve moved into your new apartment abroad. The space is great, the location is good. But there’s no internet. Your broadband application is in progress, the installation is booked for three weeks from now, and you have work to do, video calls to make, and a new city to navigate — all of which require a connection that you currently don’t have.
This situation is extremely common for expats, remote workers, and long-term travelers settling into new accommodation abroad. Fixed broadband in most countries takes 1-4 weeks to set up after application. This guide covers every practical option for staying connected in the meantime.
Key Takeaways
- Fixed broadband installation takes 1-4 weeks in most countries — plan for the gap
- Portable WiFi from ConnectPls is the most practical multi-device solution
- eSIM covers your phone immediately — activate before or after you move in
- Phone hotspot works short-term but has limitations for full remote work setups
- ConnectPls covers 100+ countries with portable WiFi and eSIM subscriptions
Why New Apartments Often Have No Internet
In most countries, fixed broadband is not like electricity or water — it doesn’t automatically transfer between tenants. Each new resident needs to apply for a new contract, which triggers a provisioning process: the carrier checks the line, schedules an installation, sends equipment, and activates the service. Even in countries with fast installation processes, this typically takes 1-2 weeks minimum. In Germany, it can take 4-8 weeks.
Option 1: ConnectPls Portable WiFi — Best for Full Remote Work
A ConnectPls portable WiFi device is the closest thing to having home broadband without the installation wait. It’s a small device that creates a private WiFi network using mobile data — your laptop, tablet, phone, and any other WiFi-enabled device connects to it exactly like a home router.
The key advantage for apartment situations: it sits on your desk plugged into a power socket, provides consistent connectivity for multiple devices simultaneously, and doesn’t depend on your phone’s battery. Monthly subscriptions are available — cancel when your fixed broadband is activated.
Option 2: eSIM or SIM Card — Best for Phone-First Needs
If your primary connectivity need is your phone, a ConnectPls eSIM or SIM card subscription solves it immediately. eSIM activates in 10 minutes with no hardware. For laptop work, you can also use your phone as a hotspot — tethering your laptop through your ConnectPls plan. This works well for moderate use but starts to feel limiting for full workday use.
Option 3: Phone Hotspot — Free But Limited
If you already have a mobile data plan, you can broadcast it as a WiFi hotspot from your phone settings. Other devices connect to your phone’s hotspot just like a router. This is free and requires no additional hardware. The limitations: your phone’s battery drains significantly while hotspotting, most mobile plans have hotspot data limits or throttling policies, and having your phone tied up as a hotspot makes it harder to use simultaneously.
How to Accelerate Your Broadband Installation
While using ConnectPls as your temporary solution, there are steps you can take to reduce the broadband wait. Apply to multiple providers simultaneously. Ask about self-installation options — some providers can send a router that you plug in yourself without an engineer visit. Check if the previous tenant’s line is still active — sometimes the provider can transfer or reactivate it faster than a new installation.
ConnectPls provides portable WiFi subscriptions, eSIM plans, and SIM cards for expats and remote workers in 100+ countries. If your new apartment has no broadband, ConnectPls bridges the gap cleanly — monthly subscriptions with no long-term commitment, cancel when your fixed line is live. Visit connectpls.com.
