As the world increasingly shifts towards interconnectedness via the internet, a question arises whether countries are prepared to provide the required internet infrastructure to support this significant shift. A study was conducted to evaluate the internet speed of various countries, and the following 10 stood out for providing the fastest mobile internet speeds.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) occupies the top spot in providing the fastest mobile internet speed globally. The country has been investing in its digital infrastructure since 2012, and it has resulted in its internet speed becoming 100 times faster than before. UAE’s median mobile download speed is approximately 179.6 Mbps. Since UAE is also leading in 5G adoption, people can expect its internet speed to become even faster.
Qatar
Second on the list is Qatar, which has a median mobile download speed of 160.03 Mbps. Qatar is also investing heavily in 5G technology to strengthen its internet infrastructure. These efforts have significantly improved 5G network speed since 2023. Telecom operators in Qatar have been continuously investing in additional sites and activating newer 5G carriers, resulting in a median 5G download speed of 613.08 Mbps. It ranks second, next to UAE, whose 5G median download speed was 660.08 Mbps.
South Korea
South Korea secured the third spot for providing the fastest mobile internet speed. The country has a median mobile download speed of 138.5 Mbps, and much of this speed is a result of the country’s massive fiber cable network coverage spreading over 1.5 million miles. These fiber cables transmit information at lightning-fast speed through glass strands of pulsing light over long distances, which is similar to how electricity moves through wires.
Norway
Norway has always been known as one of Europe’s fastest mobile internet speed providers and is still maintaining its lead. The country offers a median mobile download speed of 131.2 Mbps, securing the fourth rank on the list. With Norway’s 5G network amplification efforts in place, people can expect an even higher internet speed in the future, especially 5G performances.
Denmark
Fifth on the list is Denmark, with a median mobile download speed of 123.7 Mbps. Similar to Norway, Denmark has been home to one of Europe’s fastest mobile download speeds over the last decade. Denmark’s leading telecom operators, like Hutchison 3G or 3, are making constant efforts to provide the fastest 5G download speed, and they’re clearly winning in it. 3 reported a lightning-fast 5G download speed of 342.2 Mbps, so people can expect to receive even faster internet speed in the coming years.
Kuwait
Another Middle-Eastern country on the list, Kuwait, ranks sixth best, offering the fastest mobile internet speed. It provides a median mobile download speed of 119.8 Mbps. Several telecom operators in Kuwait are ramping up efforts to boost their 5G network so citizens can receive even faster internet speed. One of Kuwait’s telecom operators received the 5G download speed award for providing an average 318 Mbps 5G download speed, which is remarkable.
China
China comfortably secured seventh place in the list for providing a median mobile download speed of 116.6 Mbps. The country’s overall mobile and fixed broadband speeds have increased by more than 2.5 times in the last three years. China’s improved internet speeds will enable faster downloading of large media files. For instance, a 10 gigabyte HD movie can be downloaded within 11 minutes on a mobile internet connection. The country’s continuous deployment of gigabit broadband throughout China is a significant reason behind such high internet speeds.
Netherlands
The Netherlands ranks as the eighth-best country in terms of providing the fastest mobile internet speed. It has a median mobile download speed of 114.3 Mbps. As the country is adopting 5G network infrastructure fast, citizens will see an even faster internet speed in the coming time. One of the Netherlands’ top telecom operators provided a 177.6 Mbps 5G download speed, which is much faster than other operators. The wide 5G availability across the Netherlands may improve the country’s ranking in the future.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia bagged the ninth position in the list of countries providing the fastest mobile internet speed list. The country recorded a median mobile download speed of 101.9 Mbps. Many of Saudi Arabia’s telecom operators are working towards improving the 5G coverage experience, 5G upload speed, 5G download speed, etc., so people can expect to receive even faster mobile internet speed in the coming period.
Bulgaria
Last on the list is Bulgaria, for its median mobile download speed of 97.6 Mbps. It ranks as the tenth best country in terms of providing the fastest mobile internet speed. The country’s local telecommunication and internet community deserves much credit for creating remarkable internet resilience. Bulgaria is also exceeding various targets, such as the adoption of a 100 Mbps fixed broadband target, 5G readiness, fixed very high capacity network coverage, etc., hinting at the potential for further speed improvements
