Key Takeaways

• 5G networks in Kazakhstan delivered median download speeds -more than ten times faster than 4G. In the first half of 2024, 5G networks in Kazakhstan delivered median download speeds -more than ten times faster than 4G, with 5G achieving 332.11 Mbps compared to 4G’s 32.59 Mbps. Similarly, 5G median upload speeds were 2.6 times faster.
• Tele2 topped performance in all technologies combined and 4G in the first half of 2024, while Kcell led in 5G download speed. Tele2 reported the highest median download speed across all technologies combined, at 55.12 Mbps, compared to Kcell’s 48.70 Mbps and Beeline’s 27.94 Mbps. Tele2’s 4G speed was 38.44 Mbps, surpassing Kcell’s 26.96 Mbps and Beeline’s 28.68 Mbps. For 5G, Kcell had the fastest median download speed at 347.80 Mbps, slightly ahead of Tele2’s 323.26 Mbps.
• Tele2 delivered the best mobile video experience in Kazakhstan. In the first half of 2024, Tele2 achieved the highest Video Score of 69.79, outperforming Kcell (67.51) and Beeline (63.30). In mobile gaming performance, Tele2 and Kcell were nearly tied, with Tele2 slightly ahead, recording a Game Score of 73.49 compared to Kcell’s 73.08.

5G download speed is 10 times faster than 4G during first half 2024 in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s mobile market is highly competitive, with the three main operators, Beeline, Kcell, and Tele2, driving much of the country’s telecommunications development, providing widespread mobile network coverage and achieving high penetration rates. The country was one of the first in Central Asia to commercially launch 5G, with Kcell and Tele2-Altel having been the primary drivers in the rollout of 5G technology within the market. Since early 2023, both operators have been actively deploying 5G base stations throughout the country’s major cities after being awarded the two 100 MHz blocks of spectrum in the 3.6 – 3.7 GHz and 3.7 – 3.8 GHz spectrum bands. As of June 2024, 1,144 base stations had been installed in 20 cities, as both operators continue to expand their 5G coverage across the country.

While the current 4G network in Kazakhstan may serve the daily connectivity needs of most mobile users, 5G technology offers a considerable performance uplift that can improve the user experience. When we compare 5G and 4G performance in Kazakhstan for the first half of 2024, the 5G median download speed of 332.11 Mbps was more than 10 times higher than the 4G median download speed of 32.59 Mbps. Similarly, the 5G median upload speed (32.26 Mbps) was 2.53 times faster than 4G’s upload speed of 12.61 Mbps during the same period.

Tele2 topped performance in all technologies combined and 4G, while Kcell led in 5G download speed

Based on Speedtest Intelligence® data in the first half of 2024, Tele2 led Kazakhstan’s mobile network performance across multiple categories, particularly in 4G and all technologies combined. During that period, Tele2 achieved the highest median download speed across all technologies combined, reaching 55.12 Mbps, surpassing Kcell’s 48.70 Mbps and Beeline’s 27.94 Mbps. Tele2 also led in median upload speed among the operators, with a speed of 17.16 Mbps, and maintained a competitive multi-server latency of 39 ms, indicating a responsive network experience.

For 4G, Tele2 recorded a median download speed of 38.44 Mbps in the first half of 2024, outperforming Kcell’s 26.96 Mbps and Beeline’s 28.68 Mbps. Additionally, Tele2 led in 4G median upload speeds with 13.93 Mbps and achieved the lowest latency at 41.2 ms.

Kazakhstan was one of the first countries in Central Asia to commercially launch 5G, with Kcell and Tele2-Altel being the primary drivers in the rollout of 5G technology within the market. Both operators were awarded the two 100 MHz spectrum blocks in the 3.6 – 3.7 GHz and 3.7 – 3.8 GHz spectrum bands in a 5G spectrum auction in December 2022. Beeline did not participate in the auction. The competitive dynamics between Tele2 and Kcell are instrumental in driving the country’s mobile network evolution, offering enhanced services to its consumers.

The data shows that for 5G, Kcell reported the fastest 5G median download speed at 347.80 Mbps, slightly ahead of Tele2’s 323.26 Mbps. Tele2 exhibited a better median upload speed of 33.56 Mbps compared to Kcell’s 29.30 Mbps. Both operators demonstrated comparable 5G latency, with Tele2 at 30.1 ms and Kcell at 31.2 ms.

Almaty reported the fastest download speed for major cities

Mobile network performance varied across Kazakhstan’s three largest cities – Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent – with Almaty achieving the highest median download speed based on Speedtest Intelligence data from the first half of 2024. Almaty recorded a median download speed of 71.67 Mbps, significantly higher than Shymkent’s 56.25 Mbps and Astana’s 52.31 Mbps. Upload speeds in all three cities were relatively close, ranging from 17.28 Mbps in Shymkent to 17.90 Mbps in Astana. Latency was lowest in Almaty at 33 ms, followed by Astana at 34 ms, and Shymkent at 41 ms.

Mobile performance differs among operators across the three major cities of Kazakhstan

Data from Speedtest Intelligence shows that the performance of mobile operators varied across the three major cities, with some providers performing better in specific locations. Overall, Kcell and Tele2 are strong competitors, while Beeline, which lacks a 5G network, fell behind in several key performance indicators.

Kcell topped median download speed In Shymkent, recording a speed of 133.57 Mbps, while Tele2 lagged behind with 83.94. In Almaty, both Kcell and Tele2 recorded almost similar performance levels, with Kcell reporting a median download speed of 104.38 Mbps, followed closely by Tele2 with 102.99 Mbps. Beeline’s download speeds were significantly lower in both cities, at 38.26 Mbps in Almaty and 25.62 Mbps in Shymkent.

For upload speeds, Tele2 led in both cities, reaching 20.04 Mbps in Almaty and 23.20 Mbps in Shymkent. Latency was low across both cities for Kcell and Tele2. In Almaty, both recorded 31 ms, compared to Beeline’s 35 ms. In Shymkent, Kcell reported 32 ms, Tele2 39 ms, and Beeline 47 ms.

In Astana, Tele2 outperformed its competitors, achieving a median download speed of 78.55 Mbps, while Kcell followed with 64.69 Mbps and Beeline recorded only 26.57 Mbps. Tele2 also led in upload speeds at 24.89 Mbps, ahead of Kcell’s 18.63 Mbps and Beeline’s 10.98 Mbps. Latency was lowest for Tele2 at 31 ms, with Kcell at 33 ms and Beeline at 37 ms.

Tele2 delivered the highest 4G median download speeds in all three cities, with 46.59 Mbps in Almaty, 42.46 Mbps in Astana, and 44.57 Mbps in Shymkent. Beeline reported a download speed of 38.81 Mbps in Almaty, 26.69 Mbps in Astana and 25.92 Mbps in Shymkent. 

In terms of 4G median upload speeds, Beeline led in Almaty with 17.54 Mbps, while Tele2 delivered higher upload speeds in Astana and Shymkent, at 17.47 Mbps and 16.85 Mbps, respectively. Latency performance was relatively close among the operators in Almaty and Astana, while Kcell achieved the best latency in Shymkent at 33 ms.

In the first half of 2024, Kazakhstan’s 5G mobile providers—Kcell and Tele2— showed competitive 5G network performance results across Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent. In Almaty, Kcell reported a median download speed at 374.92 Mbps, slightly outperforming Tele2, which recorded 355.83 Mbps. Both operators performed similarly in upload speeds, with Tele2 at 27.02 Mbps and Kcell at 27.00 Mbps. Latency was nearly identical, with Tele2 reporting 26 ms and Kcell 27 ms.

In Astana, Tele2 led in both download and upload speeds. It achieved a median download speed of 226.89 Mbps, ahead of Kcell’s 159.03 Mbps, and recorded an upload speed of 35.95 Mbps, outperforming Kcell’s 22.17 Mbps. Latency was comparable, with Tele2 at 26 ms and Kcell at 28 ms.

Shymkent saw Tele2 record the highest download and upload speeds. Tele2 reported a download speed of 479.43 Mbps, while Kcell followed with 438.84 Mbps. In upload speeds, Tele2 led with 43.91 Mbps, compared to Kcell’s 32.55 Mbps. However, Kcell achieved lower latency in Shymkent at 28 ms, compared to Tele2’s 36 ms.

The deployment of 5G networks in Kazakhstan is still currently ongoing, with Kcell and Tele2 working on expanding 5G coverage in major cities. Tele2 has been proactive in expanding its 5G infrastructure, deploying base stations in 18 cities and exceeding the license obligations by the end of 2023.  Similarly, Kcell has partnered with Ericsson in a seven-year agreement to accelerate 5G deployment across key regions, including Almaty and Shymkent, aiming to cover at least 50% of Kazakhstan’s territory by 2030. These improvements not only cater to the growing demand for faster and more reliable services but also support emerging use cases such as mobile gaming, video streaming, and other data-intensive applications.

Tele2 edges the competition on mobile video and gaming quality of experience

While fast speeds are essential, providing good customer experience are also key indicators of network quality, especially when it comes to key use cases such as video streaming and mobile gaming. Speedtest Intelligence Quality of experience (QoE) measurements provide valuable insights into consumers’ real-life connectivity and quality of experience across various services like video streaming and mobile gaming. Ookla’s Speedtest Video Score and Game Score are unique measures to assess consumer video and gaming experience across different networks.

Based on 1H 2024 data, Tele2 provided the best mobile video experience in Kazakhstan, recording a Video Score of 69.79, ahead of Kcell and Beeline, which reported a Video Score of 67.51 and 63.30 respectively. Tele2 reported a video adaptive start time, which measures the time spent waiting for the video to start playing in the adaptive bitrate stage of the test, of 0.98 seconds during the same period.

Kazakhstan’s mobile gaming market is experiencing significant growth, with projected revenues reaching $156 million in 2024, driven by the widespread adoption of smartphones, and Kazakhstan’s youthful and tech-savvy population facilitating greater access to mobile games. Tele2 and Kcell reported almost similar Game Score in the first half of 2024, with Tele2 having a small edge with a Game Score of 73.49, and followed closely by Kcell with a score of 73.08.

Kazakhstan’s mobile network landscape in the first half of 2024 highlights ongoing network improvements, particularly in the expansion of 5G networks by leading operators Kcell and Tele2. Additionally, regulatory support, such as the allocation of spectrum and national digitalization programs like “Digital Kazakhstan,” has created a favorable environment for the development of more advanced mobile networks. These efforts are expected to bridge the digital divide, boost economic productivity, and position Kazakhstan as a regional leader in digital transformation.

We will continue to monitor both 4G and 5G performance in Kazakhstan, see how operators scale networks, and assess real-world performance as more consumers connect with 5G devices. If you want to learn more, subscribe to Ookla Research to be the first to read our analyses.

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Major events present a unique challenge for mobile networks, particularly sporting events where users congregate in concentrated numbers, and where sharing of video to social media, and to friends and family is a key use case. Ringing in the New Year is another case in point – for many years network operators published statistics on the number of voice calls made, messages sent, and the amount of data traffic their networks handled. While the rise of over-the-top (OTT) communications platforms such as WhatsApp have put a damper on these press releases, there remains a sizeable impact on operators’ networks. For example, Belgian operator Proximus noted a 95% increase in mobile data traffic on New Year’s Eve in 2023 compared to 2022. The trend isn’t uniform across markets, with Australia’s Telstra consistently seeing lower data usage on New Year’s Eve, with its customers using 30% less data than average, according to a news source. What is clear is that the New Year presents network operators with the challenge of serving sufficient bandwidth to customers attending major New Year celebrations, allowing them to share the moment, but also to support the mass wishing of “Happy New Year” across a variety of channels.

We reviewed Speedtest Intelligence data for New Year’s Eve 2023/24, to analyse how 5G networks coped with the surge in demand and change in traffic patterns at New Year, across a selection of major cities featuring some of the largest New Year celebrations around the globe. We focused in on median performance alongside the 10th percentile, in order to evaluate the spread of performance from the median user to those experiencing more challenging network conditions which would impact their experience at New Year.

Worst 10% of Speedtest samples reveal network challenges

We zeroed in on 5G upload performance first. Network operators universally allocate more spectral capacity to the downlink, as most mobile use cases lean more heavily on downloading data to the end-user device. However, the usage profile at the New Year is different, with video sharing, video streaming and calling, as well as uploading content to social media, more prevalent. These are all activities that are supported by uplink from the device.

Our data shows a significant gap between upload performance for the median user, and those in the lower 10th percentile – those experiencing the worst 10% of performance samples. Half the cities in our analysis recorded 10th percentile upload performance of less than 1 Mbps, with speeds ranging from 0.30 Mbps in Berlin, to 6.09 Mbps in Dubai. These sub-par speeds make it nearly impossible to upload photos or videos.

It was a similar picture for New Year revellers based on download speeds and latency. Despite more capacity being allocated to the downlink, performance for the lowest 10% of samples tumbled significantly compared to the median experience, with cities in APAC (Bangkok, Hong Kong, Sydney and Tokyo) in particular suffering, recording 10th percentile 5G download speeds of less than 10 Mbps. Latency was more of a mixed story across cities. At one end of the scale, Tokyo recorded a variance in latency between the median and 90th percentile (the worst 10% of latency samples) of just 19 ms, while Sydney saw a much wider gap of almost 200 ms. At 200 ms of latency users are likely to experience frustratingly slow loading times, unresponsive applications, and poor video quality.

Our data also showed the degree to which New Year usage pulled down 5G performance for the worst 10% of samples. New York, and cities in Europe saw less of an impact at New Year’s Eve compared to their global counterparts. Berlin, London, New York and Paris saw 5G download speeds for 10th percentile drop by between 1.13 Mbps and 6.88 Mbps. In contrast, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Sydney saw performance drop by between 15.13 Mbps and 21.44 Mbps. Dubai and Rio de Janeiro recorded the largest variance, however with faster 5G speeds they still outpaced the remaining markets by a significant margin. Upload performance for the worst 10% of samples followed a similar trend to download, however latency performance was more varied. Berlin, Dubai, New York, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo saw very little difference between New Year Eve latency performance and the Q4 2023 average. However, Paris, Hong Kong and London saw an increase in latency for the worst 10% off samples of between 22 ms and 36 ms, while Bangkok and Sydney fared worst, with an increase of 61 ms and 171 ms respectively.

Addressing network pain points

Addressing network pain points for users affected by poor performance in dense urban areas is a challenging task. For major events like the recent Paris Olympics, which we reported on earlier this year, network operators will typically deploy temporary network assets such as cells on wheels (CoWs) to add extra network capacity, which can then be removed once the event concludes. Network operators can also look to build private networks, to provide dedicated capacity to support the operations of the event, including routing traffic for broadcasting purposes. However, city authorities also have an important role to play here, as highlighted in our recent whitepaper with Dublin City Council and the City Telecoms Association. Having a holistic view of network performance and its evolution across a city, as well as international benchmarks, provides city authorities with the data and insights to engage more constructively with network operators and regulators, and help introduce more effective policies to deliver meaningful change for end-users. We’ll continue to benchmark and report on city and state performance, based on Speedtest Intelligence data. For more information, please contact us.

The post Ringing in the New Year – How do 5G Networks Cope Under Stress? appeared first on Ookla®.

Here’s a timeline of how the outage progressed, based on data captured in Downdetector.

9:45 AM PST — Initial Reports Appear in Downdetector

Reports of a Meta service disruption began to surface, with users globally reporting issues on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Users received error messages when attempting to access the services.

10:00-10:15 AM PST — Outage Number Peaks

With the outage peaking across the world during this time, using Downdetector data we compared the reporting numbers on Meta’s services across the Americas. In the United States, Facebook reported the highest number of disruptions, with nearly 100,000 user-submitted incidents during this 15 minute window.

Meanwhile, in Brazil, WhatsApp saw the most significant impact, with 66,000 reports in the same timeframe.

In Canada, Instagram peaked with the most reports with 17,000 reports during this time.

These figures highlight the global reach of the outage and shows how the popularity of Meta’s services vary by region, with different platforms experiencing peak number of reports in different countries.

10:48 AM PST — Meta Acknowledges the Outage

Over an hour after Downdetector users were first notified of a potential disruption, Meta addressed the issue on X, assuring users that they were aware of the outage and were actively working to resolve it.

11:30 AM PST — Reports Exceed 3 Million Globally

As Meta worked on resolving the issue, users were still impacted and reports continued to flood into Downdetector. As of 11:30 AM PST the total number of reports exceeded 3 million globally.

12:00 PM PST — Speedtest Counts Peak

During the outage, many users turned to Speedtest to troubleshoot their internet connections, unsure if the issue stemmed from their provider or Meta’s services. As a result, Speedtest Intelligence® recorded a sharp increase in test counts throughout the outage. Starting at 10:00 AM PST, test activity began to rise, peaking at over 110,000 tests on fixed providers in Brazil alone by 12:00 PM PST.

This surge demonstrates a clear correlation between Speedtest and Downdetector, as users rely on both platforms as essential tools for diagnosing connectivity and service issues.

2:26 PM PST — Resolution Announced

After 5 hours and nearly 4 million reports across Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram globally, Meta announced that 99% of the outage had been resolved, with services returning to normal. As of this time, the exact cause of the disruption has not been disclosed.

Downdetector has proven to be an invaluable tool for real-time outage reporting, identifying issues faster than official communications from service providers. If you’re interested in learning how Downdetector can help you identify and prevent disruptions from becoming major outages contact us here.

The post Meta Outage Impacts Services Across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp Globally appeared first on Ookla®.

Cell Analytics

Consumer QoE

Situation

For telecommunications operators, prioritizing the right investments can be challenging, especially when the ultimate aim is to continue delivering the best customer experience and driving service improvements for users. 

Batelco tackled this challenge using Ookla data as the foundation for informed decision-making. This data enabled Batelco to implement innovative solutions including coverage enhancements, enhanced content delivery methods, and the refarming of existing 3G spectrum to improve the consumer network experience.

Read the full case study here.

The post How Batelco Makes Strategic Network Improvements in Bahrain with Ookla Data [Case Study] appeared first on Ookla®.

To better understand these disparities, comprehensive network data can offer valuable insights into connectivity performance. The Fiber Development Index (FDI) – a collaboration between Ookla, the World Broadband Association (WBBA), and Omdia – benchmarks fiber development across 93 countries by analyzing infrastructure development, market trends, and quality of experience measurements. Using median download and upload speeds, latency, and jitter data from Speedtest Intelligence, the FDI provides crucial insights into actual broadband performance and availability worldwide.

In this article, we’ll examine the current state of global broadband development, explore what sets market leaders apart, and analyze some key challenges facing U.S. broadband expansion. For deeper insights into these topics, including expert analysis from Ookla, the WBBA, and Omdia, watch our full webinar!

Global Broadband Trends

The demand for high-speed broadband continues to surge, with fixed broadband growing at a remarkable rate. Between 2020 and 2023, fixed broadband saw 20% growth compared to just 5% for mobile broadband, and similar growth is projected over the next few years. Three key factors drive this increased demand for gigabit and multi-gigabit connectivity:

• Connected devices: The number of connected devices per household typically doubles every five years, with projections showing an average of a staggering 45 devices per household by 2030.
• High-bandwidth applications: Modern applications demand increasingly higher speeds, from 50 Mbps for 4K video to 300 Mbps for 8K content, with next-generation XR applications requiring speeds up to 1 Gbps.
• Cloud shift: Usage patterns are rapidly evolving from primarily saving files locally to accessing cloud-based services for storage and computing, a transition accelerated by XR and AI applications.

Looking ahead to 2028-2029, about half of all fixed broadband connections worldwide are expected to be gigabit-capable. This shift to fiber networks, which enable both higher speeds and improved latency, is necessary to support these evolving demands.

Fiber Development Index (FDI) Findings

The Fiber Development Index provides unprecedented visibility into global broadband development, analyzing 93 countries across multiple metrics including investment patterns (infrastructure funding, market incentives, regulatory policies) and real-world performance data. 

To enable meaningful comparisons between markets at different stages of development, the FDI organizes countries into three distinct clusters:

• Cluster One – Advanced Markets: These highly developed fiber broadband markets – such as Singapore, the UAE, and Qatar – demonstrate the impact of strong government support and clear national strategies. Singapore highlights cluster one success stories, with its nationwide fiber initiative.
• Cluster Two – Transitioning Markets: Markets with developed broadband infrastructure actively expanding their fiber adoption. France, Chile, Switzerland, Australia, and the Netherlands have all improved their FDI rankings through expanded fiber coverage and improved performance metrics.
• Cluster Three – Emerging Markets: Regions with low overall broadband penetration often face fundamental connectivity challenges. However, success stories like Peru, which jumped 11 spots in the FDI rankings, show how targeted investment and regulatory improvements can accelerate development.

This clustering approach shows that successful fiber deployment isn’t only about current performance; it’s also about the trajectory of improvement and the policies enabling that growth. For example, while Switzerland and Hungary show similar fiber penetration rates, Switzerland’s higher FDI ranking reflects its continued investment in core networks – illustrating how infrastructure commitment can shape a country’s development path.

Solutions and Best Practices

Understanding what drives success in leading markets can help guide countries working to close their own digital divides. From Singapore’s comprehensive strategy for fiber deployment to Peru’s improvements in regulatory policy and infrastructure investment, successful countries share a few key characteristics in their regulatory approaches and usage of data-driven decision making:

• Effective Regulatory Framework: Leading markets implement detailed national broadband plans with specific targets and timelines. They streamline municipal approvals, promote infrastructure sharing, and provide financial incentives through universal service funds.
• Data-Driven Planning: Speedtest Intelligence metrics provide granular data on network performance – including speeds, latency, and jitter, among other KPIs – revealing where networks are underperforming against FCC broadband speed standards. These insights help operators target infrastructure investments for maximum impact.
• Market-Specific Strategies: Success looks different across markets. For example, while Singapore pursues its nationwide 10-gigabit fiber service, other countries are focused on expanding basic fiber coverage. Speedtest Intelligence metrics can help countries set realistic goals based on their current development stage.

U.S. Broadband Progress

To see how these global trends and challenges play out in a specific market, the U.S. presents a unique example of broadband development, with significant variations across states in both coverage and performance. In early 2024, the FCC raised its minimum broadband speed standard from 25/3 Mbps (25 download/3 upload) to 100/20 Mbps (100 download/20 upload), setting a higher bar for adequate connectivity. 

Speedtest Intelligence data from the first half of 2024 reveals how service providers, regulators, and state governments are both making progress and facing persistent challenges in meeting these new standards.

• State Leadership: New Jersey leads the nation with 66.4% of Speedtest users achieving FCC minimum standards of 100 Mbps download speed and 20 Mbps upload speed, followed by Connecticut, North Dakota, and Maryland.
• Urban-Rural Divide: The gap between rural and urban connectivity access varies dramatically by state. Washington state in particular shows a stark urban-rural divide, with 61.1% of urban residents having access to the FCC’s minimum broadband standards, compared to just 28.7% of rural residents. Delaware demonstrates more equity, with 69.2% of urban residents and 66.8% of rural residents having access to these same standards.
• Infrastructure Challenges: Geographic and terrain factors significantly impact deployment costs and feasibility. States like Alaska face unique challenges with frozen ground and vast distances between population centers, making traditional fiber deployment particularly complex and expensive. Data-driven approaches can help identify where alternative solutions might be more practical.

To learn more about connectivity performance in U.S. states, check out our recent analyst report looking at broadband speeds across the 50 states. 

Future Outlook 

The path toward closing the digital divide requires a multi-faceted approach that combines strategic infrastructure investments, supportive regulatory policies, and data-driven decision making. While fiber remains the gold standard for future-proof connectivity, a hybrid approach incorporating fixed wireless access and satellite technology may offer interim solutions for challenging deployments.

Looking ahead, the industry faces several key developments:

• Accelerating Gigabit Adoption: The shift from basic broadband to gigabit connectivity will continue, with projections showing 50% of connections reaching gigabit speeds by 2029.
• Investment Priorities: BEAD funding and similar initiatives worldwide will shape deployment strategies, particularly in underserved areas.
• Technology Integration: Markets will likely adopt hybrid approaches, using a mix of fiber, fixed wireless, and satellite technology to ensure complete coverage. 

Understanding this evolving landscape requires comprehensive network intelligence. Ookla’s complementary datasets – combining Speedtest’s crowdsourced performance metrics, RootMetrics’ controlled drive testing data, and Downdetector’s service outage monitoring – provide stakeholders with the complete picture needed to make informed decisions about broadband development.

For a deeper dive into global broadband development, including detailed analysis of the Fiber Development Index and expert insights from WBBA and Omdia, watch our full webinar on demand!

The post Global Broadband Development: Using Ookla Data to Bridge the Digital Divide appeared first on Ookla®.

Maine is a Top 10 state in Ookla’s U.S. Broadband report, ranking 9th with a 30% year-on-year increase in Speedtest users who achieved broadband speeds (1H 2023 vs 1H 2024). Yet only 37.6% of Rural Speedtest users experienced speeds at or above the FCC thresholds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speeds for broadband, lagging its Urban counterparts by 13.3 percentage points.

Taking a look to see how the MCA Starlink program might help, here are current Starlink Speedtest user results in Maine:

* Multi-server latency

With a median of 116.77 Mbps download speed, a majority of Starlink Speedtest users are already exceeding the FCC’s 100 Mbps download speed target minimum. The median upload speed of 18.17 Mbps is close to the FCC’s 20 Mbps upload speed target minimum. 

Taking a look at the slower results (that is, the 10th percentile, where 90% of Speedtest user tests results are faster), this cohort saw download speeds of 22.81 Mbps and upload speeds of 6.79 Mbps. Coincidentally, there exists a lower threshold of 25 Mbps download speed and 3 Mbps upload speed that divides the Unserved (below 25/3 Mbps) from the Underserved (above 25/3 Mbps; over 100/20 Mbps is considered Served by broadband internet). 

These results are based upon the existing end-user equipment and the current satellite constellation. Newer customer premise equipment and recent (and future) satellite launches could improve these results. 

Satellites are an important solution for addressing the digital divide in rural areas, as the MCA program with Starlink represents. The Starlink Speedtest results demonstrate this, and we look forward to revisiting this data as this program takes flight.

The post Above Maine, Starlink Twinkles appeared first on Ookla®.

More than 80% of Canadians have access to fixed broadband networks, but for rural Canadians that figure drops to just 60%. Yet, this gap between who has broadband access and who doesn’t is closing in rural areas at a rate nearly three times faster than in urban areas. Canada is narrowing its rural broadband divide thanks to a clearly articulated and well-funded connectivity strategy to ensure high-speed internet access for all.

Using Speedtest Intelligence® data, this report identifies Canada’s Provinces and Territories that are delivering the minimum standard for fixed broadband speeds, as established by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). Based on data from the 1H 2024 (and compared to 1H 2023), it also analyzes performance in other geographic splits, including Urban-vs-Rural and the Remoteness Index. 

Key Takeaways

• As many as 2 million more Canadians enjoyed broadband speeds in the first half of  2024 compared to the first half of 2023.
• Rural Canadian Speedtest users saw a 23% increase in those with broadband speeds in 1H 2024 over 1H 2023.
• Satellite internet service plays a key role in closing the broadband divide for Canada’s vast geography. In the U.S., regulators were ambivalent about allowing satellite internet to qualify for government broadband funding (this attitude has recently begun to change in favor). Canada knew many years ago that satellite internet was critical.

Broadband in the Spotlight

While the COVID-19 pandemic shined a light on the digital divide, the government of Canada has long been investing in broadband deployments to close the gap. In 2014 it established the Connecting Canadians program (CCP), allocating C$305M to improve connectivity for 300,000 underserved households. 

The Connect to Innovate (CTI) program was launched in December 2016 with C$500M (and C$85M added to CTI in 2019) to expand high-speed Internet in communities underserved by the private sector. The CTI aimed to improve access for over 380,000 homes. 

Deepening its investments in 2020, perhaps in response to COVID-19 lockdowns, the Canadian government launched the C$3.225B Universal Broadband Fund (UBF). 

With over C$4B from these programs alone, the CRTC has a goal of connecting 98% of Canadians to high-speed internet (broadband) delivering at least 50 Mbps download (DL) and 10 Mbps upload (UL) speeds (50/10 Mbps) by 2026, and 100% by 2030.

Conquer Divide

Canada’s population of 41 million is concentrated in a handful of large, urban metropolitan areas near the U.S. border. However, despite the country’s large land mass, it is highly urbanized. Approximately two-thirds, or 27 million, of Canadians live within 100 kilometers of the U.S. border —about the distance  from the border to Winnipeg —yet this is only 4% of Canada’s land mass. 

Imagine a line across lower Canada, 100 km north of Canada’s southern border – crossing Winnipeg in the middle of the population distribution map. In the area below the line and above the border with the U.S., 82.2% of Speedtest users are getting the CRTC’s minimum standard for fixed broadband speeds (50/10 Mbps). For Speedtest users north of the 100 km line, 76.3% met (or exceeded) the standard. Just a 5.9 percentage points gap.

However, the 100 km line is rather blunt and unsophisticated (and imaginary). Instead let’s look at the Urban-vs-Rural division as well as a more-granular designation based on the Remoteness Index. 

Source: Ookla Speedtest data, 1H 2024 and 1H 2023; *multi-server latency

Compared with the 100 km line’s gap, the Urban-vs-Rural digital divide aligns more closely with expectations of a larger disparity between these geographic areas. Specifically, 83.8% of Urban users meet the 50/10 Mbps standard, compared to 60.0% of Rural users resulting in a 23.8 percentage point gap. 

The good news is the gap has closed from the prior year with Rural users seeing a 23% improvement compared to 5% for Urban users. To emphasize this further, in the first half of 2023 fewer than 50% of Rural users were able to get broadband speeds of 50/10 Mbps. This indicates that efforts to address this gap (i.e., UBF) were targeting the right places. 

Continuing across the table, median download and upload speeds are roughly three times faster among urban than rural Speedtest users (DL 251.62 Mbps vs 90.76 Mbps and UL 64.82 Mbps vs 18.88 Mbps, respectively). Comparing the rural median speeds to the 50/10 Mbps threshold shows that half of Speedtest users in rural Canada enjoy download speeds that are 40.76 Mbps (i.e., 90.76 minus 50) and upload speeds that are 8.88 Mbps (i.e., 18.88 minus 10) faster than the target. (This is not to say that an individual Speedtest user experiences both upload and download speeds over the threshold, which is required for the target.)

The difference in Urban and Rural latency literally demonstrates the difference in physical distances (which not only means farther, but also more hops or switching; even buffering time based on the capacity of the data transport) .

Source: Ookla Speedtest data, 1H 2024 and 1H 2023; *multi-server latency

The Remoteness Index presents a similar picture in finer geographic slices. (As one would expect, since the underlying data is the same.) Not surprisingly, the percentage of Speedtest users that meet the 50/10 Mbps threshold decreases as their location moves from least remote to most remote. Here too, speed and latency degrade at each step of remoteness, correlating with those meeting the 50/10 Mbps threshold percentages. 

The percentage change from the prior year tells a similar story of greater improvement in the more remote geographies, but with some nuance. While we might expect Most Remote to demonstrate even more improvement and be greater than More Remote, deployment challenges and associated costs to deliver telecommunications infrastructure in the most remote geographies can be exponentially prohibitive. Thus, this extreme lack of population density coupled with difficult topography explain why government programs like CTI are needed, and why other solutions like satellite are viable.

The Provinces and The Territories

In the above analysis, broadband speeds were assessed using an imaginary 100 km demarcation, illustrating the concentration of population along Canada’s southern border. Before examining broadband performance and the digital divide among Canada’s provinces and territories, here are additional facts about Canada’s relative sparseness of people in its vast geography. 

• Landmass: The combined land area of the territories (Yukon, Northwest, Nunavut) is larger than the land area of India, the world’s 7th largest (and most populous) country
• Population: The population of the territories is equivalent to the total number of births across Canada every four months.

The territories hold just 0.3% of Canada’s population on 39% of its land. Canada is often compared to the U.S., but Australia is a better comparison, with both Canada and Australia ranking among the least densely populated countries in the world.

Now let’s examine the 50/10 Mbps threshold in the provinces and territories.

In this table, by geography, percentage of Speedtest users achieving the CRTC broadband speed targets in 1H 2024, compared with the same period in prior year, and the digital divide.

Following the logic of the Remoteness Index, the territories have the fewest Speedtest users meeting the 50/10 Mbps threshold. The percentage changes in the territories from 2023 do not follow the same pattern seen in the Urban-vs-Rural chart and Remoteness Index because these geographies are a mix of these geographic definitions (as it is in the provinces). Similarly, the Urban-vs-Rural gap result is confounded by sparse population. In Nunavut, more than half of the population is defined as rural.

On the top of the table, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia may be unexpected leaders in meeting the 50/10 Mbps threshold. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have relatively higher population density among the provinces and territories which (economically) encourages the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure. This appears to play out in the Urban-vs-Rural gap as well, ranking among the lowest gaps in the provinces.

The exceptional performance of Newfoundland and Labrador (81.7% meeting 50/10 Mbps) can partly be attributed to the vast majority of its population residing on the island of Newfoundland, and half of them, in turn, residing on the Avalon peninsula (see the population distribution map above and St. John’s in the east). This concentration of population underscores the fundamental reality of economics in telecommunications deployment. And in the opposite direction, the Urban-vs-Rural gap (22.5%pts) also makes this same point for the need for the funding programs like UBF to address the digital divide.

Look, Up in the Sky

As addressed in the discussion about Most Remote, because of Canada’s topographical challenges, fiber and electricity are cost prohibitive in many deployment cases. In 2019, Canada added C$85M to its CTI program because it recognized that it needed support for low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to reach its connectivity goals (50/10 Mbps connectivity to 95% of Canadians by 2026, and the hardest-to-reach Canadians by 2030). 

Briefly looking across Canada for Speedtest users of satellite internet services during the first half of  2024, over half saw download speeds of 72.90 Mbps or greater, and upload speeds of 12.47 or greater. Moreover, in the territory of Nunavut the speeds were basically identical (75.16 Mbps and 12.50 Mbps, respectively), which makes sense since Nunavut is equally Urban or Rural (or More Remote or Less Remote) to an orbiting satellite a few hundred miles overhead. Clearly LEO is a viable solution technically and economically.

Whether fiber or satellite, broadband connectivity means nothing without power. The cost of electricity in the north can be ten times more expensive than in southern cities. In some cases, diesel fuel burned for both heat and electricity is flown, shipped by sea, or by tanker over frozen lakes and rivers in the winter. As with broadband, the Canadian government has a plan to invest in Rural and Northern Communities to make available affordable and clean energy.

Another barrier to fully-connected communities that affects Urban as well as the Most Remote is digital literacy (though the latter faces compounding factors). Here again the Canadian government is addressing the issue with initiatives such as its Digital Literacy Exchange Program.

No matter the geographic lens – Urban-vs-Rural, Remoteness Index, or Provinces and Territories – the goal is to get to 100% in 2030. But even 100% broadband connectivity from a purely technical perspective, would not be 100% in spirit without other programs and initiatives like these. Communication is achieved when the signal is received, not just sent.

Recently, Ookla also looked at the broadband and digital divide in the U.S. – How the 50 U.S. States Stack up in Broadband Speed Performance: 1H 2024 | Ookla®. We look forward to providing more updates on the U.S. and Canada’s progress to provide high-speed internet connectivity for all. For more information about Speedtest Intelligence data and insights, please get in touch.

Le Rétrécissement de la Fracture Numérique au Canada

Plus de 80 % des Canadiens ont accès à des réseaux fixes à large bande, mais pour les Canadiens des régions rurales, ce chiffre tombe à seulement 60 %. Pourtant, cet écart entre ceux qui ont accès à la large bande et ceux qui n’en ont pas se rétrécit dans les régions rurales à un rythme près de trois fois plus rapide que dans les zones urbaines. Le Canada réduit la fracture numérique dans les régions rurales grâce à une stratégie de connectivité clairement articulée et bien financée pour assurer l’accès à l’Internet haute vitesse pour tous.

À l’aide des données de Speedtest Intelligence^®, le présent rapport identifie les provinces et les territoires du Canada qui fournissent la norme minimale pour les vitesses à large bande fixes, telle qu’établie par le Conseil de la Radiodiffusion et des Télécommunications Canadiennes (CRTC). Sur la base des données du 1er semestre 2024 (et par rapport au 1er semestre 2023), il analyse également les performances dans d’autres catégories géographiques, y compris les catégories urbaine et rurale ainsi que l’indice d’éloignement (Remoteness Index).

Principaux points à retenir

• Pas moins de 2 millions de Canadiens supplémentaires ont bénéficié de l’accès à Internet haute vitesse au premier semestre 2024 par rapport au premier semestre 2023.
• Les utilisateurs ruraux canadiens de Speedtest ont vu une augmentation de 23 % de ceux qui ont accès à Internet haute vitesse au cours du premier semestre 2024 par rapport au premier semestre 2023.
• Le service Internet par satellite constitue un levier essentiel pour réduire la fracture numérique et améliorer l’accès à la large bande sur l’immense territoire canadien. Aux États-Unis, les organismes de réglementation étaient ambivalents quant à autoriser le financement par le gouvernement de l’Internet par satellite (cette attitude a récemment commencé à changer). Le Canada savait il y a de nombreuses années que l’Internet par satellite était essentiel.

La large bande sous les feux de la rampe

Alors que la pandémie de COVID-19 a mise en lumière la fracture numérique, le gouvernement du Canada investit depuis longtemps dans le déploiement de la large bande pour réduire cet écart. En 2014, il a mis sur pied le programme Un Canada branché, allouant 305 millions de dollars canadiens pour améliorer la connectivité de 300 000 ménages mal desservis.

Le programme Brancher pour innover a été lancé en décembre 2016 avec 500 millions de dollars canadiens (85 millions de dollars canadiens supplémentaires alloués en 2019) pour étendre l’accès a l’Internet à haut débit dans les communautés mal desservies par le secteur privé. Ce programme visait à améliorer l’accès à plus de 380 000 foyers.

Renforçant ses investissements en 2020, peut-être en réponse aux confinement lié au
COVID-19, le gouvernement canadien a lancé le Fonds universel pour la large bande,
doté de 3,225 milliards de dollars canadiens.

Avec plus de 4 milliards de dollars canadiens provenant de ces programmes uniquement, le CRTC a pour objectif de connecter 98 % des Canadiens à l’Internet haute vitesse (large bande) offrant des vitesses d’au moins 50 Mbps en téléchargement (DL) et 10 Mbps en téléversement (UL) (50/10 Mbps) d’ici 2026, et 100 % d’ici 2030.

Vaincre la fracture

La population de 41 millions d’habitants du Canada est concentrée dans une poignée de métropoles près de la frontière américaine. Malgré l’immensité du pays, le Canada est fortement urbanisé. Environ les deux tiers, soit 27 millions, des Canadiens vivent à moins de 100 kilomètres de la frontière américaine, soit environ la distance entre la frontière et Winnipeg; mais cette zone ne représente que 4 % de la superficie du Canada.

Imaginez une ligne traversant le Canada, à 100 km au nord de sa frontière méridionale, et traversant Winnipeg au milieu de la carte de répartition de la population. Dans la zone située sous la ligne de démarcation et au-dessus de la frontière avec les États-Unis, 82,2 % des utilisateurs de Speedtest obtiennent la norme minimale du CRTC pour les vitesses des services à large bande fixe (50/10 Mbps). Pour les utilisateurs du Speedtest au nord de la ligne des 100 km, 76,3 % respectent (ou dépassent) la norme. Soit un écart de seulement 5,9 points.

Cependant, la ligne des 100 km reste une mesure assez simpliste, peu sophistiquée et, de surcroît, imaginaire. Examinons plutôt la division entre les zones urbaines et rurales, ainsi qu’une classification plus détaillée basée sur l’indice d’éloignement.

Source : Données Ookla Speedtest, 1H 2024 et 1H 2023 ; *latence multi-serveurs

Comparée à celle définie par la ligne des 100 km, la fracture numérique entre les zones urbaines et rurales correspond davantage aux attentes, reflétant une disparité plus marquée entre ces zones géographiques. Plus précisément, 83,8 % des utilisateurs urbains respectent la norme de 50/10 Mbps, comparativement à 60,0 % des utilisateurs ruraux, ce qui donne un écart de 23,8 points.

La bonne nouvelle est que l’écart s’est réduit par rapport à l’année précédente, les utilisateurs ruraux ayant constaté une amélioration de 23 %, contre 5 % pour les utilisateurs urbains. Pour souligner davantage ce point, au cours du premier semestre de 2023, moins de 50 % des utilisateurs ruraux ont pu obtenir des vitesses à large bande de 50/10 Mbps. Cela indique que les efforts déployés pour combler cette lacune (c’est-à-dire le Fonds universel pour la large bande) ont été utilisés à bonne fin.

Si l’on poursuit la lecture du tableau, les vitesses médianes de téléchargement et de téléversement sont environ trois fois plus élevées chez les utilisateurs urbains que chez les utilisateurs ruraux de Speedtest (DL 251,62 Mbps contre 90,76 Mbps et UL 64,82 Mbps contre 18,88 Mbps, respectivement). La comparaison des vitesses médianes en milieu rural avec le seuil de 50/10 Mbps montre que la moitié des utilisateurs de Speedtest dans les régions rurales du Canada bénéficient de vitesses de téléchargement de 40,76 Mbps (c.-à-d. 90,76 moins 50) et de vitesses de téléversement de 8,88 Mbps (c.-à-d. 18,88 moins 10) plus rapides que l’objectif fixé. (Cela ne signifie pas pour autant qu’un utilisateur individuel de Speedtest bénéficie à la fois de vitesses de téléchargement et de téléversement dépassant le seuil requis, ce qui est nécessaire pour atteindre l’objectif.)

La différence entre les temps de latence en milieu urbain et en milieu rural illustre littéralement la différence entre les distances physiques (ce qui signifie non seulement des distances plus grandes, mais aussi un plus grand nombre de sauts de traffic).

Source : Données Ookla Speedtest, 1H 2024 et 1H 2023 ; *latence multi-serveurs

L’indice d’éloignement présente une image similaire dans des tranches géographiques plus fines. (Comme on pouvait s’y attendre, puisque les données sous-jacentes sont les mêmes.) Il n’est pas surprenant de constater que le pourcentage d’utilisateurs Speedtest qui atteignent le seuil de 50/10 Mbps diminue au fur et à mesure que cette indice augmente. Ici aussi, la vitesse et la latence se dégradent avec l’augmentation de l’indice, en corrélation avec le pourcentage d’utilisateurs atteignant de seuil de 50/10 Mbps.

La variation (en pourcentage) par rapport à l’année précédente offre des similarités, avec une amélioration dans les zones géographiques les plus éloignées, mais avec tout en apportant une certaine nuance. On pourrait s’attendre à ce que les régions les plus éloignées s’améliorent, mais les difficultés de déploiement et les coûts associés à la mise en place d’une infrastructure de télécommunications dans les zones géographiques les plus reculées peuvent être exponentiellement prohibitifs. Ainsi, ce manque extrême de densité de population, associé à une topographie difficile, explique pourquoi des programmes gouvernementaux sont nécessaires et pourquoi d’autres solutions comme l’accès par satellite sont viables.

Les provinces et les territoires

Dans l’analyse ci-dessus, les vitesses à large bande ont été évaluées à l’aide d’une démarcation imaginaire de 100 km, illustrant la concentration de la population le long de la frontière sud du Canada. Avant d’examiner les performances de la large bande et la fracture numérique parmi les provinces et territoires du Canada, voici quelques faits supplémentaires concernant la relative faiblesse de la densité de population dans l’immensité géographique du pays.

• Masse continentale : La superficie terrestre combinée des territoires (Yukon, Nord-Ouest, Nunavut) est plus grande que la superficie de l’Inde, le 7e pays le plus grand (et le plus peuplé) du monde
• Population : La population des territoires équivaut au nombre total de naissances au Canada tous les quatre mois.

Les territoires ne représentent que 0,3 % de la population du Canada mais 39 % de son territoire. Le Canada est souvent comparé aux États-Unis, mais l’Australie est une meilleure comparaison; le Canada et l’Australie se classant parmi les pays les moins densément peuplés du monde.

Examinons maintenant le seuil de 50/10 Mbps dans les provinces et les territoires.

Pourcentage d’utilisateurs de Speedtest atteignant les objectifs de vitesse de large bande du CRTC au premier semestre 2024 par région par rapport à la même période de l’année précédente.

Suivant la logique de l’indice d’éloignement, les territoires ont le moins d’utilisateurs Speedtest répondant au seuil de 50/10 Mbps. Les variations en pourcentage dans les territoires à partir de 2023 ne suivent pas la même tendance que celle observée dans le graphique urbain/rural et l’indice d’éloignement, car ces géographies sont un mélange de ces définitions géographiques (comme c’est le cas dans les provinces). De même, le résultat de l’écart entre les zones urbaines et les zones rurales est faussé par la faible densité de population. Au Nunavut, plus de la moitié de la population est définie comme rurale.

En haut du tableau, Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador, le Nouveau-Brunswick et la Nouvelle-Écosse pourraient être des chefs de file inattendus dans la réalisation du seuil de 50/10 Mbps. Le Nouveau-Brunswick et la Nouvelle-Écosse ont une densité de population relativement plus élevée parmi les provinces et les territoires, ce qui encourage (économiquement) le déploiement de l’infrastructure de télécommunications. Cela semble également se jouer dans l’écart entre les régions urbaines et rurales, qui se classe parmi les écarts les plus faibles dans les provinces.

La performance exceptionnelle de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador (81,7 % atteignant 50/10 Mbps) peut en partie être attribuée au fait que la grande majorité de sa population réside sur l’île du Terre Neuve, dont la moitié vit sur la péninsule d’Avalon (voir la carte de répartition de la population ci-dessus et la ville de St. John’s à l’est). Cette concentration de population souligne la réalité fondamentale de l’économie dans le déploiement des télécommunications. Et dans la direction opposée, l’écart entre les zones urbaines et rurales (22,5 % de points) souligne également la nécessité de programmes de financement pour combler la fracture numérique.

Regardez vers les étoiles

Comme mentionné précédemment, en raison des défis topographiques du Canada, la fibre et l’électricité peuvent avoir des coûts de déploiement prohibitifs dans de nombreux cas. En 2019, le Canada a ajouté 85 millions de dollars canadiens à son programme Brancher pour innover (CTI), car il a reconnu qu’il avait besoin de satellites en orbite basse (LEO) pour atteindre ses objectifs en matière de connectivité (connectivité de 50/10 Mbps pour 95 % des Canadiens d’ici 2026, et pour les Canadiens les plus difficiles à atteindre d’ici 2030).

En examinant brièvement les utilisateurs de Speedtest des services Internet par satellite à travers le Canada durant la première moitié de 2024, plus de la moitié ont enregistré des vitesses de téléchargement de 72,90 Mbps ou supérieures, ainsi que des vitesses de téléversement de 12,47 Mbps ou supérieures. De plus, dans le territoire du Nunavut, les vitesses étaient pratiquement identiques (75,16 Mbps et 12,50 Mbps, respectivement), ce qui est logique, puisque le Nunavut est à la fois urbain et rural (ou plus éloigné et moins éloigné) pour un satellite en orbite à quelques centaines de kilomètres au-dessus. Il est clair que le LEO est une solution viable techniquement et économiquement.

Qu’il s’agisse de fibre ou de satellite, la connectivité à large bande ne signifie rien sans électricité. Le coût de l’électricité dans le nord peut être dix fois plus élevé que dans les villes du sud. Dans certains cas, le carburant diesel utilisé pour le chauffage et l’électricité est transporté par avion, par bateau ou par camion-citerne sur des lacs et des rivières gelés en hiver. Comme pour la large bande, le gouvernement canadien a un plan pour investir dans
les collectivités rurales et nordiques afin de rendre disponible une énergie propre et abordable.

Un autre obstacle à des communautés pleinement connectées, qui touche tant les zones urbaines que les régions les plus éloignées, est la maîtrise des outils numériques (bien que ces dernières fassent face à des facteurs aggravants). Là encore, le gouvernement canadien s’attaque au problème avec des initiatives comme son Programme d’échange en matière de littératie numérique.

Peu importe la perspective géographique – urbain par rapport à rural, indice d’éloignement ou provinces et territoires – l’objectif est d’atteindre 100 % en 2030. Mais même une connectivité à large bande à 100 %, d’un point de vue purement technique, ne serait pas à 100 % dans l’esprit sans d’autres programmes et initiatives comme ceux-ci. La communication est réalisée lorsque le signal est reçu, pas seulement envoyé.

Récemment, Ookla a également examiné la fracture numérique et l’accès à la large bande aux États-Unis. – Comment les 50 États américains se positionnent en matière de vitesse de la large bande : 1H 2024 | Ookla^®. Nous sommes impatients de fournir d’autres mises à jour sur les progrès réalisés par les États-Unis et le Canada pour fournir une connectivité Internet haute vitesse pour tous. Pour plus d’informations sur les données et les analyses de Speedtest Intelligence, veuillez prendre contact.

The post Canada’s Narrowing Broadband Divide | Le Rétrécissement de la Fracture Numérique au Canada appeared first on Ookla®.

Romania’s DIGI has taken another bold step in its ambitious multi-country expansion strategy—the largest in Europe in over a decade—by launching fixed and mobile services in Belgium. It is replicating its signature disruptor strategy to swiftly capture market share, introducing a cut-price mobile tariff priced at €5 per month for 15 GB of data, alongside a fixed broadband offering at €10 per month for a 500 Mbps full-fibre connection.

The long-anticipated commercial launch is founded on a rebranded joint venture between Citymesh (51%), a subsidiary of IT services group Cegeka specialising in the B2B segment, and RCS & RDS, a subsidiary of the DIGI group. A five-year national roaming agreement with Proximus, Belgium’s largest mobile operator, has enabled DIGI’s market entry while it works to deploy its own greenfield radio infrastructure. DIGI aims to achieve 30% 5G population coverage by the end of 2025 and establish a network of 4,500 sites by the end of this decade.

As part of this roaming agreement, Proximus proposed to decommission and transfer around 400 of its own mobile sites to InSky, the company responsible for deploying the infrastructure for DIGI and Citymesh. With extensive spectrum holdings, including assets in the 700, 900, 1800 and 2100 MHz bands, along with a valuable 50 MHz of unpaired 3.6 GHz spectrum and 2.6 GHz frequencies it secured from neutral host operator Dense Air, it is fully equipped to execute its mobile network rollout. 

DIGI subscribers rely on Proximus’ 4G network as it races to deploy its own 5G Standalone (SA) infrastructure

Subscribers to the new operator may initially be surprised by the limited availability of 5G services. DIGI’s roaming agreement with Proximus is restricted to its 4G network, with 5G access reliant on the progress of DIGI’s own greenfield site deployment. Whether this rollout will enhance Belgium’s international standing in 5G coverage remains to be seen, as the country continues to lag behind most of its developed peers due to delays in network deployment caused by conflicts between regional governments at the start of the 5G cycle. 

Analysis of Speedtest Intelligence® data from Q3 2024 reveals that Proximus, DIGI’s roaming partner, led the market in 4G download speed performance. Proximus’ subscribers enjoyed median 4G download speeds of 55.68 Mbps in the period, outperforming Telenet (47.91 Mbps) and Orange (36.22 Mbps). 

However, this performance advantage does not extend to network reach. In Q3 2024, Proximus lagged behind its competitors in 4G Availability. Telenet led the market with 93.74% 4G Availability, followed by Orange at 86.02% and Proximus at 81.07%. Proximus’ comparatively lower 4G Availability has also contributed to its subscribers spending more time on 3G than those of other operators. On Proximus’ network, 11.21% of devices spent the majority of their time on 3G, compared to 7.92% on Orange’s network and just 3.41% on Telenet’s network. 

Fibre ambitions put convergence and Wi-Fi 7 in the spotlight

DIGI’s ambitions in Belgium extend beyond disrupting the mobile market—it is taking aim at fixed broadband too. The operator has introduced ‘DIGI Fiber’, bringing its signature aggressive pricing to the FTTH market. Launching with a limited footprint in select Brussels suburbs, DIGI Fiber offers download speeds of up to 10 Gbps for as little as €20 per month. It plans to scale this fibre footprint rapidly, as it has done in Spain, targeting 2 million households within two years.

DIGI’s fibre offering is highly competitive in the Belgian market context, promising speeds that are many multiples of the country-wide median of 101.97 Mbps observed across fixed networks in Belgium in Q3 2024. While Proximus’ fibre service led the market during this period with median download speeds of 303.25 Mbps, DIGI’s entry may disrupt the market order. 

The operator is placing significant emphasis on Wi-Fi performance as part of its foray into the home, providing Wi-Fi 6-capable CPE as standard and preparing to introduce Wi-Fi 7 solutions “soon” for customers subscribing to its 10 Gbps service. This follows the playbook of other leading fixed operators seeking to differentiate fibre services through an enhanced focus on quality of experience (QoE) in the home, with BT’s EE in the UK and Iliad’s Free in France also debuting Wi-Fi 7 solutions in a bid to sell premium fibre experiences.

DIGI aims to leverage converged bundling of fixed and mobile tariffs to maximise customer retention and minimise churn, as it seeks to position itself as a leader in both price and network quality in Belgium. However, this convergence strategy is far from novel in the Belgian market, where competitors have successfully offered triple- and quad-play bundles for years. Notably, DIGI has yet to introduce a TV service in Belgium, leaving a gap in its bundling proposition at launch. 

Has DIGI precipitated a race to the bottom in Belgium?

DIGI’s arrival disrupts a market long known for generating some of the highest average revenue per user (ARPU) levels in Western and Central Europe, coupled with a higher degree of market concentration compared to other countries in the region, based on analysis of GSMA Intelligence data. In Q3 2024, Belgian operators reported a monthly ARPU of €18.26, significantly outpacing neighbouring markets such as the Netherlands (€13.15) and Germany (€11.03).

Market incumbents have been bracing for an intense price war for some time. Earlier this year, Proximus cut its dividend, increased debt and struck agreements with alt-nets to accelerate its fibre rollout in Flanders. In a strategic counter move, Orange responded to DIGI’s aggressive mobile pricing by launching an equivalently priced tariff through its budget-focused ‘Hey!’ sub-brand, setting the stage for a race to the bottom in Belgium’s telecoms market.

This development shifts the Belgian market from a three- to four-player structure, marking a notable countertrend at a time when regulators in Brussels are signalling a softer stance on merger reviews and competition policy. It also follows closely on the heels of the Vodafone-Three merger approval in the UK, highlighting the increasingly diverse regulatory dynamics at play across Europe. 

Regardless of the outcome in the Belgian market, this marks a critical litmus test for DIGI’s growth ambition in Western Europe. Over the past decade, the Bucharest-based group has nearly tripled its annual revenues, growing from €624 million in 2013 to over €1.69 billion in 2023. It continues to distinguish itself through an obsessive strategic focus on operational efficiency—a model that has been similarly instrumental to Iliad’s success in Europe and its ability to achieve economies of scale. 

This emphasis on a lean organisational structure has not dampened its long-term investment commitments. Last year alone, DIGI splurged €729.7 million on network spending and sold part of its fixed network in Spain to unlock additional funds for reinvestment, as it navigates a period of record capital intensity across its markets. 

The post DIGI makes a splash as fourth MNO in Belgium, leans on convergence appeared first on Ookla®.

South Korea is a global leader in 5G technology and adoption, having launched the first commercial 5G networks in April 2019. Its exclusive use of C-band for 5G services, with no sub-GHz spectrum allocated for 5G, also puts it in a unique position. 

This focus on C-band across the entire market has led to strong 5G network densification, with the OECD’s most recent Digital Economy Outlook 2024, highlighting the lead South Korea enjoys among a selection of advanced global markets on 5G deployment, with 593 5G base stations per 100,000 inhabitants, well ahead of next placed Lithuania (328) and Finland (251). Earlier this year, the Korean regulator, the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) announced that South Korea had attained nationwide 5G coverage.

MSIT allocated wide bands to each of the three mobile operators, KT, SK Telecom and LG U+, with the former two receiving 100 MHz, and the latter initially receiving 80 MHz. Despite its spectrum disadvantage, our previous South Korean benchmark placed LG U+ in pole position in terms of median download performance. Since that benchmark, LG U+ was awarded an additional 20 MHz of C-band spectrum in mid-2022, which it deployed during 2023, which brought its C-band holdings in line with the competition.

Given its level of network densification, and deployment in wide spectrum bands in the prized C-band, it’s no surprise that South Korea consistently ranks in the top-10 of Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index for mobile performance, (which ranks countries based on median download speeds), currently placing 6th as of October 2024.

This lead is helping deliver improved consumer experiences, with South Korea outpacing other East Asian markets (including Japan, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong) on mobile gaming performance, recording the lowest latency, as well as the highest median download and upload performance in the region.

Strong 5G adoption, but performance has been a concern for consumers

From a consumer perspective, South Korea is a mature 5G market, with LG U+, for example, recording a 5G penetration rate (among handsets) in excess of 70% as of Q3 2024. South Korean users have been swift to embrace the new technology, with 5G connections in the market growing steadily, crossing the 30 million mark during 2023, and reaching 36.11 million as of Q3 2024, according to GSMA Intelligence.

Despite strong adoption, and 5G providing a significant uplift over 4G performance in the market – median 5G download speeds in November 2024 were 524.23 Mbps across the market according to Speedtest Intelligence, compared to 64.08 Mbps for 4G-LTE – the mobile providers have had to focus their efforts on continuous improvements in performance levels. All three mobile providers were fined by South Korea’s antitrust regulator in 2023, following consumer complaints that 5G had not delivered on promises the mobile providers had made in their marketing.

To assess how South Korean mobile performance has evolved since our last benchmark, and how mobile providers have responded to consumer concerns on performance, we returned to the capital Seoul during 2H 2024 to benchmark performance in the city. We measured mobile performance using RootMetrics’ controlled methodology across a variety of indoor and outdoors locations, using the latest Samsung Android devices. We tested where and when people most often use their smartphones: tourist areas, business districts, and other areas at times of peak mobile usage. Tests were conducted while walking and driving across more than 900km in distance within Seoul, and including in excess of 17,000 samples, including more than 50 major indoor locations. RootMetrics controlled testing methodology is specifically designed to mimic the end-user’s real-world mobile experience.

In addition to benchmarking the mobile providers based on median download and upload performance, as well as latency and availability metrics, we also examined video streaming and voice call performance.

The results: LG U+ approaches gigabit median mobile speeds

LG U+ led the market in 2H 2024 overall performance, based on RootMetrics RootScore methodology, which combines scores across all components of the testing, scoring 990 out of 1000, ahead of both KT and SK Telecom which ranked second jointly, with scores of 979 and 978 respectively.

South Korean mobile providers continue to push the boundaries of mobile performance in the South Korean capital, with all three providers recording a significant uplift in download throughput when compared to 1H 2022. LG U+ led the pack, with a median download speed of 916.90 Mbps, while it also led the market based on its performance at the 5th and 95th percentiles. This marks a large increase when compared to our controlled testing in 1H 2022, where LG U+ led the market with a median download speed of 663.4 Mbps, with all three mobile providers increasing median performance significantly, highlighting their continued investment in their 5G networks to help meet consumer expectations. LG U+ recorded the highest median upload speed, with 108.00 Mbps, while SK Telecom led the way on median latency, with 98 ms.

5G performance driving impressive user experience metrics

RootMetrics benchmarks voice calling and video streaming performance as part of its comprehensive testing suite. Among South Korean mobile providers, both LG U+ and SK Telecom use a 5G non-standalone (NSA) network configuration, where voice is delivered via VoLTE (using the 4G network), while KT employs a 5G standalone (5G SA) network, where voice is carried over the 5G new radio (VoNR). LG U+ recorded the shortest voice call setup time, of 0.882 seconds, while also achieving an impressive zero call drops or blocks from our testing.

Based on our video testing, KT recorded the fastest median video start time, at 0.91 seconds, while both LG U+ and SK Telecom were able to drive higher bitrates over their networks, of 8.0 Mbps. With these consistent bitrates, 1080p video quality was consistently delivered to users.

Outlook: Seoul serves as a benchmark for other cities across Asia Pacific

South Korea stands out as a global leader in 5G technology and adoption, having launched the first commercial 5G networks in April 2019, and is investing heavily in next generation technologies, with a strong focus on AI and 6G. Its capital city, Seoul, stands out as a benchmark for mobile network performance globally and has maintained its first-mover advantage.

To learn more about Ookla’s controlled drive and walk testing with RootMetrics® and first-party crowdsourced data from Speedtest®, please contact us.

The post Controlled Network Testing in one of the World’s Top Performing Cities – Seoul appeared first on Ookla®.

Key Takeaways

• Operators from the U.A.E. and Kuwait dominate the top five positions. Speedtest Intelligence® 1H 2024 data showed that U.A.E.’s e& led with a median download speed of 351.73 Mbps, followed by du at 264.41 Mbps. Kuwait’s Ooredoo (234.45 Mbps), Zain (218.06 Mbps), and stc (190.42 Mbps) rounded out the top five.
• Early 5G adoption has been a key factor in driving improved network performance, with operators like e& (U.A.E.), du (U.A.E.), Ooredoo (Kuwait), and Zain (Kuwait) achieving globally competitive median download speeds since launching 5G in 2019. Speedtest Intelligence data highlights consistent growth in 5G Availability and 5G Service metrics over the past two years. For instance, Ooredoo (Kuwait) increased 5G Availability from 67.0% to 73.7% and 5G Service from 78.3% to 83.9%, while Telenor Norway improved 5G Availability from 40.4% to 55.9%, and YouSee (Denmark) reached 84.0%, showcasing the significant impact of 5G expansion on network performance.
• The top-performing operators predominantly came from a select group of highly urbanized and economically developed countries. Only nine countries accounted for the top 20 mobile operators in small to mid-size markets. Notably, all operators in the top ten were from countries with urbanization rates exceeding 87%, highlighting the correlation between high urban density and network performance.

Understanding mobile performance in advanced small to mid-size markets

Mobile network performance is shaped by multiple factors, each impacting speed, reliability, and user experience. Spectrum availability, infrastructure density, and advanced technologies like 5G are essential for meeting user demand effectively. Additionally, geographic, economic, and regulatory factors influence the level of investment and an operator’s ability to deploy and optimize services. Large markets spanning vast regions pose unique logistical and technical challenges for operators trying to serve both densely populated cities and remote rural areas. In contrast, operators in smaller markets, such as city-states, focus on compact urban areas, requiring a more targeted and agile approach to network deployment.

For the purpose of this analysis, we defined small-to-mid sized markets as having populations between 4 million and 10 million.  The majority of the population is concentrated in high-density areas, allowing for a clearer examination of urban network strategies without the intricate infrastructure needs of large rural areas. There are 35 markets globally that fit this criteria, and of these, more than 65% occupy land areas smaller than 200,000 km². Using Speedtest Intelligence data, we examined the mobile performance in these markets during the first half of 2024, highlighting the top 20 ranked mobile providers based on median download speed.

Operators from the U.A.E. and Kuwait dominate the top ten rankings

Using Speedtest Intelligence® data collected in the first half of 2024, we ranked the top ten mobile operators in small to mid-size markets based on all mobile technologies combined. Operators from the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait dominate the top five positions, with a few operators from Denmark, Norway, and Singapore also making it into the top ten list. Notably, all operators in the top ten were from highly urbanized countries, with an urbanization rate exceeding 87%. These markets were also economically developed, having an average GDP per capita of just under USD 60,000.

U.A.E.’s e& (U.A.E) leads by a significant margin, achieving a median download speed of 351.73 Mbps for all technologies combined. This lead is indicative of the e&’s strong investment in telecommunication infrastructure and advanced network capabilities. Following e& is du, which has a median download speed of 264.41 Mbps. Both e& and du reported similar median upload speeds, with 26.58 Mbps and 26.25 Mbps respectively. The results underscore the U.A.E.’s robust telecommunications landscape, driven by strong competition among the leading operators.

Kuwait’s Ooredoo and Zain rank third and fourth with median download speeds of 234.45 Mbps and 218.06 Mbps, respectively. Another Kuwaiti operator, stc, completes the top five with a speed of 190.42 Mbps. The presence of three Kuwaiti operators in the top five highlights the country’s substantial progress in mobile network development, driven by a concentrated urban population and high levels of mobile broadband penetration. 

The dominance of operators from the Middle East, particularly the U.A.E. and Kuwait, in overall network performance highlights the significant investments and advancements in 5G infrastructure within the region. Our previous report examined how the U.A.E. was the fastest 5G market globally in 1H 2024, with a median download speed of 660.08 Mbps, with e& UAE leading both domestically and globally at 749.63 Mbps. In Kuwait, Zain topped 5G median download speed in the market with a speed of 411.06 Mbps, surpassing Ooredoo at 379.04 Mbps during the same period. These achievements underscore the region’s strategic focus on enhancing connectivity and setting benchmarks for global 5G performance. 

Northern Europe also has strong representation in the top ten, with Telenor (Norway) achieving 174.34 Mbps and three Danish operators (3, Telia, and YouSee) rounding out the list, all offering speeds above 148 Mbps. Singtel of Singapore is positioned in eighth place at 159.22 Mbps, indicative of Singapore’s efficient, urban-focused mobile deployment.

European operators were the most prominent beyond the top ten

The next tier of mobile operators, ranked 11 to 20 by median download speed, offers a broader view of competitive performance across smaller European and Asian markets. Leading this group is A1 of Bulgaria, with a median download speed of 140.56 Mbps, placing it just below the top 10. Close behind Telenor (Denmark) and Telia (Norway), at 135.83 Mbps and 134.53 Mbps, respectively, highlight Northern Europe’s strong network performance capabilities, where dense urban populations and advanced network deployment have created solid foundations for high-speed connectivity.

Finnish operators make up a substantial part of this ranking, with DNA at 120.72 Mbps, Telia at 103.51 Mbps, and Elisa at 93.50 Mbps. The inclusion of the three Finnish operators in the list is notable, given the complex mix of population distribution and challenging coverage requirements of the market, which make consistently high speeds difficult across various geographies.

Other European operators, such as Swisscom in Switzerland, which had a speed of 117.29 Mbps, and Yettel in Hungary, with 94.58 Mbps, demonstrated that smaller, urbanized markets could still maintain competitive internet speeds. Singapore’s StarHub, with a speed of 100.46 Mbps, ranked 18th, highlighting the country’s strong mobile infrastructure.

Proactive 5G strategies contributing to overall performance gains among top operators

The majority of the operators in the top 20 list were early adopters of 5G technology, with most launching 5G services as early as 2019 or 2020. This early adoption has proven to be a factor in enhancing their overall network performance, allowing them to deliver faster speeds, greater reliability, and a better overall user experience compared to markets that lagged in 5G rollout.

Operators such as e& (U.A.E.), du (U.A.E.), Ooredoo (Kuwait), and Zain (Kuwait) launched 5G services in 2019 and have consistently achieved higher median download speeds compared to other operators globally. In May 2019, etisalat by e& became the first operator in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to introduce 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) technology to subscribers. The U.A.E. and Kuwait have regularly ranked as the fastest operators in Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index, alongside other early 5G adopters like Qatar and South Korea.

Government support and operator investments have played a crucial role in driving 5G success in these markets. In the U.A.E., the telecom regulator TDRA waived fees for 5G frequencies above 3 GHz for five years, giving operators access to extensive spectrum resources in the 2500-2600 MHz and 3300-3800 MHz ranges. Similarly, Kuwait’s CITRA allocated additional spectrum in the 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands, enabling operators to enhance their 5G networks and prepare for the rollout of 5G-Advanced technology.

European operators, including Telenor (Norway), 3 (Denmark), and A1 (Bulgaria), as well as Singtel and StarHub in Singapore, have also leveraged early 5G implementation to enhance service quality. GSMA’s 5G Connectivity Index highlights that markets with proactive 5G strategies tend to outperform in network performance metrics. 

Leading operators demonstrate ongoing 5G adoption and coverage expansion

The overall performance gains are closely linked to the increased adoption of 5G services and the expansion of 5G coverage in key markets. As more users spend a larger share of their time on 5G networks, reliance on older technologies like 4G has steadily declined. This transition has contributed to faster speeds, lower latency, and overall improvements in mobile network performance for users across these top-performing operators.

Top operators have continued to expand their 5G networks across their respective markets. Over the past 24 months, quarterly data has shown a consistent upward trend in both 5G Availability—the percentage of time users with 5G-capable devices spend connected to 5G—and 5G Service, which measures the percentage of geographical areas with reported 5G coverage. This dual growth demonstrates the operators’ commitment to improving both user experience and network reach.

e& (U.A.E.) and du (U.A.E.) have shown steady increases in 5G Availability. e& rose from 13.9% in Q2 2023 to 25.6% in Q3 2024, while du increased from 16.5% to 20.9% over the same period. 5G Service also improved, with e& expanding from 41.5% in Q2 2023 to 52.9% in Q3 2024, and du growing from 56.4% to 67.2%. 

Kuwaiti operators Ooredoo, Zain, and stc consistently maintained high levels of 5G Availability. Ooredoo increased from 67.0% in Q2 2023 to 73.7% in Q3 2024, while 5G Service also saw growth, with Ooredoo rising from 78.3% to 83.9% and Zain expanding from 81.1% to 90.6% during the same period. 

European operators also showed notable progress. Telenor Norway achieved significant growth in 5G Availability, rising from 40.4% to 55.9%. Denmark’s YouSee maintained one of the highest levels, increasing from 72.8% to 84.0%. In Finland, DNA and Telia demonstrated consistent improvements, with DNA rising from 52.6% to 71.6% and Telia making steady advancements as well. These trends reflect the continued expansion of 5G in both urban and outskirts, supporting increased 5G connectivity  across these markets.

Majority of the top operators’ 5G networks are utilizing C-band spectrum

Spectrum availability plays an important part in network performance, impacting speed and coverage. In urbanized small to mid-size markets, operators must strategically manage and, where possible, the ability to access adequate spectrum resources is crucial for reducing network congestion and maintaining a consistent, high-quality experience for users.

We analyzed the distribution of Speedtest data samples based on the primary reported 5G spectrum bands used by the top ten performing operators to gain insights into the spectrum bands utilized by operators. It’s important to note that operators will employ differing strategies to optimize spectrum utilization and the user experience. Consumer-initiated tests will attempt to saturate a network connection, and operators will tend to serve this capacity demand through the spectrum bands with the highest capacity and, where required, supplement this capacity through carrier aggregation. This gives a better indication of the maximum throughput and state of the network, in contrast with background idle-state testing, which will often camp on lower frequency bands and, more specifically, on 4G-LTE.

The results show that upper mid-band spectrum, or  C-Band (3.3-4.2 GHz), is the most widely utilized spectrum band among these operators, playing a critical role in balancing performance, availability, and coverage. The C-band offers an optimal balance between speed and coverage, making it suitable for urban and broader coverage areas.

Operators like e& (U.A.E.) and du (U.A.E.) rely heavily on the C-band, with 93.5% and 78.9% of test samples reported in this range, respectively. Similarly, operators in Kuwait, including Ooredoo, Zain, and stc, show a near-exclusive reliance on the C-band (ranging from 89.1% to 99.9%), enabling them to deliver widespread 5G availability and improved median download speeds.

In Nordic markets, operators like Telenor Norway and YouSee Denmark demonstrate more diverse spectrum strategies. Telenor Norway combines significant use of the C-band (62.4%) with a notable portion of low-band spectrum (37.4%), which enhances coverage in rural and less densely populated areas. This mixed approach allows these operators to ensure nationwide 5G rollout while maintaining urban performance. 

Top performing operators came from a few highly urbanized countries.

Our data shows that operators from only nine countries made up the top 20 mobile operators with the best median download speed within small to mid-size markets. Denmark had the highest representation, contributing four operators to the top 20 list. Kuwait and Finland follow closely, each with three operators ranked among the best. Other countries with top-performing operators include the U.A.E., Singapore, Norway, Bulgaria, Switzerland, and Hungary, each featuring one or two operators.

These markets share several common characteristics that likely contribute to their high mobile network performance. Most are highly urbanized and economically developed, which facilitates the deployment of advanced telecommunications infrastructure.  Additionally, these countries often have high levels of investment in digital connectivity, enabling operators to maintain robust, high-speed networks. Many of these markets, such as Singapore, Switzerland, and Norway, are relatively compact, allowing operators to concentrate network resources and deliver consistent performance across their territories.

In contrast, markets with lower urbanization levels, such as Austria (59.5% urbanization) and Ireland (64.5% urbanization), despite sharing similar characteristics with the high-performing markets—such as strong economies and investments in telecommunications infrastructure—reported lower median download speeds of 79.46 Mbps and 38.20 Mbps, respectively. This highlights the need for tailored strategies in less urbanized markets to enhance coverage and optimize performance.

Ookla will continue to monitor overall mobile performance and 5G deployments globally and benchmark countries and operators. For more information about Speedtest Intelligence data and insights, please get in touch.

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