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Hey, I'm Jordan

Lifelong traveler, digital entrepreneur, and the person behind every review, speed test, and recommendation on this site.

Jordan Stambaugh, founder of Earth SIMs, in Iceland

Why I Built Earth SIMs

From proposing to my wife behind the thundering curtain of Seljalandsfoss waterfall in Iceland to navigating bullet trains across Japan with an 18-month-old in tow, I've tested the limits of staying connected in every scenario imaginable.

My travels have taken me through the jungles of Costa Rica, across Europe, and to dozens of countries in between — each trip reinforcing the same lesson: reliable connectivity isn't a luxury, it's what makes modern travel work. Whether I was troubleshooting a dead SIM card in a Tokyo convenience store or hunting for stable WiFi to meet a client deadline from a cafe in Barcelona, those real-world frustrations became the foundation for Earth SIMs.

I built this site to cut through the noise and give travelers and remote workers the honest, hands-on reviews I wished I'd had. Every eSIM, VPN, and hotspot featured here has been tested in the real conditions where it matters — not a lab.

When I'm not reviewing the latest connectivity gear, you'll find me planning the next family adventure with my wife and our little one, probably comparing eSIM data plans on the way to the airport.

How I Test

Every product on this site goes through a structured testing process. I don't read spec sheets and rewrite marketing copy — I buy the product, activate it, and use it the way you would. Here's how:

Hands-On Testing

I purchase and activate every product myself. No vendor-supplied demo accounts, no "testing" from press releases. If I recommend it, I've used it.

Real-World Conditions

Speed tests run from hotel lobbies, coffee shops, airports, and moving vehicles — not controlled lab environments. I test where you'll actually use these products.

Objective Data

I log speed tests, latency measurements, and coverage results with timestamps and locations. Reviews cite specific numbers, not vague claims like "fast speeds."

Regular Updates

Connectivity products change constantly — new plans, pricing shifts, coverage expansions. I re-test and update content regularly so you're never reading stale advice.

What I've Tested

108+ Guides published
50+ Products reviewed
1,000+ Speed tests logged
20+ Countries tested in

I've personally activated eSIMs from Airalo, Saily, Holafly, Trip.com, Nomad eSIM, Simify, and others in countries across Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, and beyond. I've configured Starlink dishes on rooftops, stress-tested VPN connections from censored networks in China, and drained countless mobile hotspot batteries searching for a reliable signal.

I've been the person at the border crossing frantically trying to activate data before the bus leaves. I've sat in a Bali coworking space watching a video call buffer because I picked the wrong eSIM provider. These experiences are exactly why Earth SIMs exists — so you don't have to learn the hard way.

Editorial Independence

I'll be upfront: Earth SIMs earns money through affiliate commissions. When you click certain links on this site and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is how I fund testing and keep the site running.

That said, affiliate partnerships never influence ratings, rankings, or recommendations. I've given low scores to products with generous affiliate programs, and I've enthusiastically recommended products with minimal commissions. My reputation depends on giving you advice you can trust, and that's worth more to me than any single commission.

You can read the full affiliate disclosure for complete transparency on how I earn and how it affects (and doesn't affect) the editorial process.

What Earth SIMs Covers

Get In Touch

Have a question, spotted an error in one of my guides, or want to suggest a product for me to review? I genuinely want to hear from you.

Drop me a line at hello@earthsims.com. I read every email and do my best to respond within a few days.

If you're a brand or PR representative, please note that I do not accept paid placements, sponsored reviews, or requests to alter existing ratings. I'm happy to test your product on my own terms — reach out and we'll discuss.