According to a study by Ookla, the median global 5G download speed has experienced a substantial 20 per cent increase in the third quarter (Q3) of 2023, reaching 203.04 Mbps, compared to 168.27 Mbps in Q3 2022. This improvement aligns with a significant rise in global 5G subscriptions, indicating positive progress in user adoption of 5G and the performance of 5G networks.
In terms of upload speed and latency, the study noted a modest improvement of 1 per cent. In addition, median 5G upload speed has reached 18.93 Mbps in Q3 2023, compared to 18.71 Mbps in the same period last year; and multi-server latency, a critical metric for network responsiveness, has improved from 45 ms in Q3 2022 to 44 ms in Q3 2023.
Moreover, the speedtest users who experienced the top 10 per cent of 5G download speeds globally have seen a 9 per cent increase, rising from 525.54 Mbps in Q3 2022 to 573.12 Mbps in Q3 2023.
As per the study, the top 10 countries for 5G performance witnessed notable changes, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) claiming the top spot, surpassing South Korea. Malaysia, India, and the Dominican Republic also made significant strides, showcasing a dynamic shift in the global 5G landscape.
The study noted that during Q3 2023, the UAE and South Korea stood out as leaders in 5G performance, boasting the fastest median 5G download speeds globally at 592.01 Mbps and 507.59 Mbps, respectively. The UAE showcased a 14 per cent increase in its median 5G download speed, up from 511.68 Mbps in Q3 2022. However, the key factors contributing to the UAE’s 5G leadership include fierce market competition driven by Etisalat and du, resulting in extensive 5G coverage and widespread access to 5G services. In addition, Malaysia has also reached the third spot globally for 5G download speed, with a reported speed of 485.24 Mbps in Q3 2023. Despite launching its nationwide 5G network less than two years ago, Malaysia’s unconventional deployment strategy has proven effective.
Meanwhile, India has also made a significant leap, with its median 5G download speed of 312.26 Mbps allowing India to reach the top 10 worldwide. The country’s climb of 72 places on the Speedtest Global Index between September 2022 and August 2023 is primarily credited to the launch of 5G. Following a 5G spectrum auction in India, operators have successfully addressed network congestion issues by offloading 4G traffic onto 5G networks.
However, with advancements in 5G technology, the study noted a decline in the net promoter score (NPS) among 5G users. The factors contributing to this dissatisfaction could include unmet expectations and discrepancies between actual 5G speeds and advertised speeds.
The study further noted that on a global scale, fixed networks demonstrated significant performance improvement, with a 19 per cent increase in median download speed (83.95 Mbps) and a 28 per cent increase in upload speed (38.32 Mbps) in Q3 2023 compared to the previous year. This highlights the ongoing transition to more advanced broadband technologies, particularly fibre-to-the-home (FTTH).
However, there are still areas that fall outside of network coverage. Speedtest data has highlighted disparities in internet performance between fixed and mobile networks across different regions, emphasising the importance of addressing connectivity challenges worldwide.
