Latest Speedtest Global Index published by U.S-based internet speed analysis firm, Ookla, has revealed the top 10 countries where internet is the fastest as at January 2024.
Globally, mobile communication otherwise known as GSM has dominated access to telecommunications services especially the internet, a development that has created robust market for mobile network operators, smartphone manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers playing in the market.
This is despite the existence of other technologies used to deliver last mile connectivity and internet access such fixed wire, fixed wireless and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technologies.
According to Ookla, modern connected experiences require reliable, consistently high performance across many additional metrics beyond download speed, including low latency for gaming, high-quality video streaming, good upload speeds for teleconferencing, and fast page load times while browsing on a mobile device.
As such, it depended on the three metrics of download speed, upload speed and latency to rank 144 countries.
The result of the test revealed a global average of 50mbps download, 11.30mbps upload speeds and 27ms latency rate. But primarily, uplink or download speed determine internet speed.
As per the Speedtest index, Ookla said the Index compares internet speed data from around the world on a monthly basis and the data comes from the hundreds of millions of tests taken by real people using Speedtest every month.
It said: “Speedtest leverages a vast testing infrastructure with over 10,000 servers in more than 190 countries, ensuring users will always be able to test on a local server regardless of where they are located.
“By having multiple servers in every country and major city, Speedtest ensures an accurate view of performance without requiring long, or even international transit, to perform a test.”
As a result of this testing infrastructure and the enormous number of tests taken using Speedtest, Ookla said it has no need to extrapolate data to fill in gaps because its applications collect information from every imaginable location and every type of device at all hours of the day.
10 Countries with Highest Mobile Internet Speed
Ranking |
Country |
Download (mbps) |
Upload (mbps) |
Latency (ms) |
1 |
United Arab Emirates |
302.38 |
27.62 |
19 |
2 |
Qatar |
285.84 |
29.56 |
19 |
3 |
Kuweit |
196.94 |
23.46 |
18 |
4 |
China |
164.58 |
28.03 |
27 |
5 |
Denmark |
153.90 |
21.37 |
18 |
6 |
South Korea |
150.22 |
17.18 |
27 |
7 |
Norway |
148.72 |
22.49 |
24 |
8 |
Netherlands |
131.27 |
18.94 |
22 |
9 |
Bahrain |
128.74 |
17.76 |
18 |
10 |
Iceland |
126.74 |
17.72 |
18 |
By capturing real-world metrics and delivering insights back to network operators and policymakers, Ookla serves as the bridge between consumers and the telecommunications industry.
Earlier, we reported that Nigeria ranked low in the global internet speed test. (READ MORE)