The Middle East and Asia house the world’s fastest internet speed, outpacing the average mobile download speeds in America. The year 2018 saw the biggest add-up in internet usage statistics show over 1.5 billion people joined in using the internet which also implies there will be clear differences in speeds and data traffic across regions worldwide.
High-income countries experience significantly faster median mobile broadband speeds and substantially higher mobile broadband traffic per capita compared to low-income countries.
Median Mobile Broadband Speeds:
- High-income countries: Median mobile broadband speeds are approximately five times faster than those in low-income countries.
Mobile Broadband Traffic per Capita:
- High-income countries: Average mobile broadband traffic per capita is more than 20 times higher than in low-income countries.
Countries With the Fastest Mobile Internet Speeds
In 2024, the following countries ranked highest for median mobile internet download speeds, measured in megabits per second.
| # |
Country |
Mbps |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | United Arab Emirates | 441.89 |
| 2 | – | Qatar | 358.27 |
| 3 | – | Kuwait | 263.59 |
| 4 | – | Bulgaria | 172.49 |
| 5 | – | Denmark | 162.22 |
| 6 | – | South Korea | 148.34 |
| 7 | – | Netherlands | 146.56 |
| 8 | – | Norway | 145.74 |
| 9 | – | China | 139.58 |
| 10 | – | Luxembourg | 134.14 |
The graphic below shows the countries with the fastest internet in the world, these rankings are based on data from Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index. https://www.speedtest.net/global-index
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) bagged the top spot for the fastest mobile internet in 2024, reason:
- Due to its advanced telecommunications infrastructure
- Significant investments in 5G technology
- High levels of internet penetration.
- The government focuses on digital transformation and innovation, particularly in smart cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Qatar, its neighboring country, follows closely in second place, benefiting from similar factors. Qatar’s leadership has prioritized 5G deployment and nationwide connectivity. The FIFA World Cup 2022, was among the factors that spurred the improvement of a better connectivity in the country.
Taking a brief trip to the Asian continent we have South Korea topping there, also earning the number six spot on countries with the fastest mobile internet speeds.
Results prove South Korea leads all other OECD countries in fiber-optic cable penetration, a vital component of internet infrastructure. South Korea country boasts over 1.5 million miles of fiber cable networks. These cables use glass strands to transmit data via pulses of light across vast distances, much like how electricity flows through traditional wires.
In Europe, Norway and Denmark are home to the fastest mobile download speeds, a trend that has been going on for decades. By difference, Ireland and Spain have some of the slowest speeds.
By ranking America is ranked 12th on countries with the fastest mobile internet speeds. This is because of telecom monopolies in the country and it’s also affecting other high-income countries too.
The intermediate cost of one gigabyte of mobile data in the U.S. is at least seven times more prized than in countries including Spain, China, France, and Brazil.
Countries like China, South Korea, and Bulgaria are not only setting benchmarks in internet speed but are also enjoying the advantages of ultra-fast connectivity in the form of digital invention, efficient services, and thriving tech industries. These nations showcase what’s possible when governments, private sectors, and consumers prioritize investment in advanced technology and infrastructure.
However, the discrepancy in internet speeds globally highlights a digital divide that must be preached. This is especially evident in African countries, where many struggle with slow, unreliable connections due to Challenges like:
- Limited infrastructure,
- High costs
- Inadequate policy frameworks
As the world becomes highly connected, bridging this gap is essential to guarantee all countries, regardless of their economic status, can participate fully in digital economizing.
Why Are African Countries OFF the List?
African countries face several challenges that hinder their ability to compete globally in internet speed rankings:
1. Infrastructure Deficit:
• Many African nations rely on aging or limited infrastructure, with inadequate fiber-optic networks and inconsistent power supply.
• Deployment of high-speed networks like 5G remains slow and concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural regions underserved.
2. High Costs:
• Internet services in Africa are often more expensive than in other regions, making them inaccessible to a significant portion of the population.
• The cost of building infrastructure is also high due to geographical challenges and low economies of scale.
3. Policy and Investment Gaps:
• A lack of coherent government policies and underinvestment in the tech sector slows progress.
• Regulatory hurdles and monopolies in the telecommunications sector further impede growth.
4. Population and Literacy Barriers:
• With large rural populations and lower levels of digital literacy, the demand for high-speed internet in some regions remains limited.
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Hope for the Future
Despite these challenges, there’s hope for improvement. Initiatives like the expansion of undersea fiber-optic cables (e.g., the Equiano and 2Africa cables) and the rise of private sector involvement (such as SpaceX’s Starlink) promise to bring faster and more affordable internet to Africa. By addressing infrastructure gaps, encouraging competition, and investing in digital literacy programs, African countries can gradually close the digital divide and join the ranks of global leaders in internet speed.