Sue Marek | November 17, 2025

WISP Report Card: Data Shows Most Fail FCC’s 100/20 Mbps Benchmark

Wireless ISPs face a growing threat from LEO satellite providers like Starlink that can reach rural users with faster download speeds.

There are around 2,000 U.S. wireless internet service providers (WISPs) and about nine million Americans get their internet service from these companies, according to the Wireless ISP Association (WISPA). Many of these WISPs are very small and provide service to just a few hundred customers.

WISPs have become more prevalent over the past few years largely due to the introduction of vendor equipment that makes it possible to more cost-effectively deliver better coverage using unlicensed spectrum and commercial off-the-shelf hardware.

WISPs deliver their services using fixed wireless access (FWA) but they tend to be smaller and focused on certain markets such as rural areas or apartment complexes than the large telcos like Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T, which also use FWA technology to deliver broadband services across the country. However, unlike the WISPs, these operators don’t consider broadband to be their primary business.

Using Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence® data, we examined the performance of eight of the larger U.S. WISPs—Etheric Networks, GeoLinks, NextLink Internet, Resound Networks, Rise Broadband, Starry, Unwired Broadband, and Wisper Internet — from Q1 2021 through Q2 2025. For those providers that offer both FWA and fiber, we categorized users with upload speeds under 100 Mbps as FWA customers to distinguish them from fiber users. While all eight of the WISPs that we monitored improved their median download speeds during that time period, their performance varies greatly.

Key Takeaways

Starry, which is being acquired by Verizon, delivered the highest median download speeds (202.25 Mbps in Q2 2025) of all eight U.S. WISPs that we studied.
GeoLinks delivered the slowest median download speeds (22.74 Mbps in Q2 2025) of the WISPs we reviewed. Its users in the 75th percentile (those in the upper end of the typical speed range) experienced download speeds of 56.58 Mbps in Q2 2025. We measured GeoLinks customers in its California markets where the company currently uses an older platform on 5 GHz spectrum.
Because of Starry’s faster speeds, the WISP was able to deliver the FCC’s minimum requirement for broadband speeds of 100/20 Mbps to 66.88% of Speedtest users in Q2 2025.
WISPs face a growing threat from low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite providers like Starlink, which can reach rural users with download speeds that are often faster than WISPs.
To continue to compete in the broadband space, WISPs need to find ways to secure more spectrum to avoid network congestion and interference.

The Many Flavors of WISPs

The performance of WISPs in the U.S. is under scrutiny right now because of recent changes that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) made to the Broadband Equity and Deployment (BEAD) program. In June 2025 the NTIA revamped BEAD to provide a technology-neutral approach and prioritize cost-per-location.This means that instead of favoring fiber, other technologies such as low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite and FWA can compete with fiber for BEAD funding. The revisions also include a rule to ensure that bids go to the lowest-cost bidders.

States revised their BEAD applications and re-submitted them using the new guidance. Early indications are that many states plan to use FWA for at least a portion of their BEAD eligible locations. Connected Nation, a non-profit that monitors the digital divide, found that states have awarded 11.7% of eligible locations to FWA providers, and many of those FWA providers are categorized as wireless ISPs (WISPs).

We analyzed the performance of eight of the largest U.S. WISPs over several quarters from Q1 2021 until Q2 2025. However, it’s important to note that all of these companies vary greatly in terms of their spectrum holdings, their business models, their coverage areas, and their vendor equipment, which drives a large variance in performance outcomes.

Nevertheless, it’s notable that all eight of the WISPs we monitored improved their median download speeds during that time period. They also improved their median upload speeds, but to a much lesser extent.

Starry outpaced all the others and recorded the highest median download speeds. In Q2 2025 Starry’s median download speed was 202.25 Mbps, which is more than double that of the Resound Networks with a median download speed of 99.41 Mbps in Q2 2025. Starry also was nearly nine times higher in median download speeds than the slowest of the eight WISPs, GeoLinks, which had a median download speed of just 22.74 Mbps in Q2 2025.

A Comparison of WISPs Median Download and Upload Speeds
Q1 2021 through Q2 2025
A comparison of WISPs median download and upload speed over time.

The eight WISPs and their coverage areas

Name	States where WISP operates	Spectrum used
Etheric Networks	California	2.4 MHz, 5.8 GHz unlicensed and 28 GHz licensed
GeoLinks	California, Arizona, and Nevada	unlicensed 5 GHz, LMDS 29-31 GHz spectrum, unlicensed 59-71 GHz spectrum
NextLink	Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska	2.4 MHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz
Resound Networks	Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas	6 GHz unlicensed, 5 GHz unlicensed, and 3.65 GHz licensed
Rise Broadband	16 states including Colorado, Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Texas and Southern Wisconsin	unlicensed 5 GHz, unlicensed 3.65 GHz, licensed 2.5 GHz, and some TV white space spectrum at 470-698 MHz
Starry Broadband	Major cities such as Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, DC	37 GHz licensed, 24 GHz licensed, some 5 GHz unlicensed
Unwired Broadband	California	unlicensed 6 GHz
Wisper Wireless	Oklahoma, Kansas, Indiana, and Illinois	3.5 GHz (CBRS), 5.1 GHz, and maybe 6 GHz

Most WISPs struggle to deliver the FCC’s minimum broadband speeds to their customers

All of the eight WISPs use a different configuration of spectrum licenses. Most are reliant upon some combination of low-, mid-, or high-band licensed and unlicensed spectrum. In addition, many have deployed fiber either as an alternative to their FWA service or to use to carry backhaul or middle-mile traffic.

While using unlicensed spectrum means that a WISP can launch services quickly without having to purchase costly spectrum licenses, it also means that congestion and interference can result in the WISP having to carefully manage demand for their services.

Using Speedtest data collected in Q2 2025 we compared the median download and upload speeds of the eight WISPs to determine what percentage of their Speedtest users were receiving the FCC’s minimum standard for fixed broadband speeds (100 Mbps downstream/20 Mbps upstream).

Starry, which has mmWave spectrum licenses and uses proprietary equipment, is able to provide the FCC’s minimum standard for broadband to the highest percentage of users at 66.9%. In contrast Rise Broadband, which primarily operates with unlicensed spectrum in the 5 GHz band and in the 3.55 GHz to 3.7 GHz bands (CBRS), but also uses some licensed spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band, is able to provide the FCC’s minimum requirement for broadband to just 6.7% of its users.

WISPs	% of Speedtest users achieving wireless broadband speeds of 100/20 Mbps
Starry	66.9%
Resound Networks	41.5%
Wisper Internet	26.0%
NextLink	24.4%
Unwired	21.8%
GeoLinks	8.7%
Etheric	8.4%
Rise Broadband	6.7%

mmWave’s bigger pipe doesn’t always equal faster speeds

Starry, GeoLinks and Etheric all use some combination of high-band spectrum to deliver their FWA services. The benefits of this spectrum is it can deliver faster speeds and carry bandwidth-intensive applications. But it also requires line-of-sight or near-line-of-sight to work because of potential interference from buildings, trees, and even rain.

Among the three providers that use mmWave spectrum we saw dramatic differences with Starry significantly outperforming GeoLinks and Etheric, which suggest that Starry has a greater penetration of mmWave spectrum among its customer base that is benefitting the WISP.

Starry

Starry uses a proprietary technology with base stations that cover a radius of about one mile and its system operates on shared spectrum licenses in the 37.1, 37.3 and 37.5 GHz mmWave bands. It also acquired 104 licenses in the 24 GHz band that cover 51 partial economic areas.

The company targets large apartment buildings with its service. Its setup consists of a rooftop base station that broadcasts a signal to multiple building-mounted receivers, allowing a single base station to serve dozens of buildings. Although it uses proprietary equipment it’s based upon modified 802.11ac/ax standards that takes advantage of the Wi-Fi chipset ecosystem.

The company, which is currently being acquired by Verizon, offers service to about 100,000 subscribers in apartment buildings in five markets; Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, and Washington, D.C./Virginia.

Starry offers a variety of rate plans: $30 per month for up to 200 Mbps; $55 per month for up to 500 Mbps; and $75 per month for up to 1 Gbps.

Ookla’s Speedtest® data shows that Starry has nearly doubled its median download speeds in its markets from 102.74 Mbps in Q1 2022 to 202.25 Mbps in Q2 2025. The company’s upload speed also increased, but not as dramatically from 52.29 Mbps in Q1 2022 to 54.34 Mbps in Q2 2025. The company saw the biggest increase in speeds from Q1 2024 to Q2 2025, which is likely due to some network upgrades, including the deployment of the 2.0 version of its Comet receiver. Starry said the upgrades would expand its coverage range as well as provide better spectral efficiency.

Starry's Median Download, 75th Percentile Download, and Median Upload Speeds
Q1 2021 through Q2 2025
Starry's median download, median upload and 75th percentile speeds over time.

GeoLinks

GeoLinks uses local multipoint distribution services (LMDS) spectrum that it acquired from Verizon in 2021 as well as some unlicensed 5 GHz and unlicensed 59-61 GHz spectrum. Those 208 LMDS licenses are in the 29/31 GHz bands and cover several markets. However, GeoLinks currently offers service primarily in California and has a few deployments in Arizona and Nevada, but our Speedtest data samples were all collected from the company’s California deployment where it is currently using the unlicensed 5 GHz spectrum and an older platform..

The company recently tested Intracom Telecom’s point-to-multipoint equipment to demonstrate multi-gigabit FWA using its 29/31GHz mmWave spectrum. In addition, it has indicated that it is interested in leasing its spectrum to other enterprises and operators that can then use its spectrum holdings to develop their own FWA services.

GeoLinks offers a variety of price plans: $25.99 per month for speeds of 10/10 Mbps; $38.99 per month for 25/10 Mbps; $45.99 per month for 30/30 Mbps; and $69.99 per month for speeds of 100/25 Mbps. The company’s web site indicates that the $45.99 per month plan that delivers 30/30 Mbps is the most popular plan with its customers.

Speedtest data shows Geolinks delivering median download speeds of just 22.74 Mbps in Q2 2025 with 75th percentile download speeds of 56.58 Mbps. Its users experience median upload speeds of 19.82 Mbps in Q2 2025.

GeoLink's Median Download, 75th Percentile Download, and Median Upload Speeds
Q1 2021 through Q2 2025
GeoLink's median download, median upload and 75th percentile speeds over time.

Etheric Networks

Etheric Networks provides FWA service to the California Bay Area. The company has a fiber ring stretching from San Francisco to Monterey, California that connects its FWA towers and eight data centers. Etheric uses a mix of spectrum including unlicensed 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz spectrum. However, in 2024 Etheric partnered with BroadbandOne to leverage BroadbandOne’s 28 GHz mmWave spectrum. The company said this partnership will allow it to enhance its connectivity and serve more rural and agricultural areas.

The company offers three residential price plans: $79 per month for speeds up to 100 Mbps; $99 per month for speeds up to 250 Mbps and $169 per month for 1 Gbps speeds.

Speedtest data shows Etheric has nearly doubled its median download speeds from 21.34 Mbps in Q1 2021 to 41.09 Mbps in Q2 2025. Its users in the 75th percentile (those in the upper end of the typical speed range) saw speeds of 65.45 Mbps in Q2 2025.The company’s median upload speeds also increased over time from 13.6 Mbps in Q1 2021 to 29.5 Mbps in Q2 2025.

Etheric Networks' Median Download, 75th Percentile Download, and Median Upload Speeds
Q1 2021 through Q2 2025
Etheric Networks' median download, median upload and 75th percentile speeds over time.

WISPs make the most of mid-band with CBRS licenses

Many WISPs take advantage of the mid-band CBRS spectrum, which is a 150 MHz shared spectrum in the 3.5 GHz to 3.7 GHz band that allows for flexible use by three different groups that are managed by a Spectrum Access System (SAS). The SAS can dynamically grant access to different users. The band is shared by these three parties: incumbent users such as the U.S. Navy that have priority access to the band; licensed users with Priority Access Licenses (PAL) that have exclusive use of a portion of the band in a specific geographic location; and the General Authorized Access (GAA) group who can access the spectrum but have no protection from interference from the other two groups.

Several of the WISPs we analyzed deploy their services in the CBRS spectrum and primarily use the GAA portion of the band. Others have acquired CBRS PAL and some use a combination of both. Some WISPS also use unlicensed bands such as 5 GHz.

NextLink

Nextlink spent $28.4 million in FCC’s Auction 105 to purchase over 1,100 CBRS PAL licenses covering 491 counties in eleven states including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Wyoming, and Missouri. The company uses that spectrum to deliver its FWA service to its more than 100,000 subscribers (as of August 2025). NextLink also has deployed fiber to more than 100,000 locations and has 20,000 fiber customers.

Nextlink secured Connect America Fund II funding and participated in the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund so much of its FWA expansion has been driven by those commitments. In August Nextlink said it has completed five of the six states as part of its CAF II funding and is halfway through its RDOF buildout.

The company offers a variety of FWA plans: The Next50, which offers up to 50 Mbps speeds for $30 per month; the Next100 that offers speeds up to 100 Mbps for $40 per month; The Next300 that offers speeds up to 300 Mbps for $60 per month; and the Next500 that offers speeds up to 500 Mbps for $75 per month.

Speedtest data shows NextLink has more than tripled its median download speeds from 19.45 Mbps in Q1 2021 to 68.47 Mbps in Q2 2025. The WISP also increased its median upload speeds significantly from 4.72 Mbps in Q1 2021 to 18.26 Mbps in Q2 2025. NextLink users in the 75th percentile (those in the upper end of the typical speed range) get much higher speeds of 122.88 Mbps in Q2 2025.

NextLink's Median Download, 75th Percentile Download, and Median Upload Speeds
Q1 2021 through Q2 2025
NextLink's median download, median upload and 75th percentile speeds over time.

Resound Networks

Resound Networks provides FWA service in Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Arizona and Oklahoma and uses Tarana Wireless gear in the unlicensed 5 GHz and 6 GHz spectrum bands. It also offers fiber service in some locations and is planning to expand its fiber footprint. Like many WISPs, Resound is focused specifically on rural communities that have historically been overlooked by larger ISPs. In 2022 the company was awarded $303 million through the FCC’s RDOF program to deliver FWA and fiber to 214,000 rural locations.

Resound offers both residential and enterprise rate plans. Its residential plans start at 75 Mbps for $55 per month and go up to 1 Gbps for $130 per month.

The company’s customers experienced a steady increase in their download and upload speeds from mid-2023 until Q2 2025 from a median download speed of 38.94 Mbps in Q3 2023 to 99.41 Mbps in Q2 2025. Its users in the 75th percentile (those in the upper end of the typical speed range) experienced an even greater climb in download speeds from 62.99 Mbps in Q3 2023 to 190.76 Mbps in Q2 2025. During this time period Resound was expanding its network.

Resound Network's Median Download, 75th Percentile Download, and Median Upload Speeds
Q1 2021 through Q2 2025
Resound's median download, median upload and 75th percentile speeds over time.

Rise Broadband

Rise Broadband claims to be the country’s largest WISP with around 200,000 customers. It may also be one of the longest living WISPs because it dates back to 2006 when it started as JAB Broadband and its goal was to consolidate many of the country’s smaller WISPs to create one big WISP with a large footprint.

Today Rise offers FWA service in16 states, mostly in the Midwest. Rise offers service primarily in rural areas and it uses a mix of unlicensed spectrum in the 5 GHz band and in the 3.55 GHz to 3.7 GHz bands (CBRS), but also uses some licensed spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band, to deliver its service.

Like NextLink, the company is actively deploying fiber in addition to FWA. The company’s strategy is to deploy FWA initially to capture market share and then roll out fiber to the densest FWA coverage areas.

Rise’s price plans start as low as $30 per month for 50 Mbps and reach up to 400 Mbps for $55 per month.

Rise users logged median download speeds of 42.58 Mbps in Q2 2025, which is a significant jump from Q1 2021 when users experienced median download speeds of just 16.01 Mbps. Rise’s users in the 75th percentile (those in the upper end of the typical speed range) were able to achieve download speeds of 65.97 Mbps in Q2 2025. The company’s median upload speeds also increased from 4.05 Mbps in Q1 2021 to 18.38 Mbps Q2 2025. Rise saw a big jump in median upload speeds between Q2 2022 when users logged median upload speeds of 5.86 Mbps and Q3 2022 when users experienced median upload speeds of 13.68 Mbps.

Rise Broadband's Median Download, 75th Percentile Download, and Median Upload Speeds
Q1 2021 through Q2 2025
Rise Broadband's median download, median upload and 75th percentile speeds over time.

Wisper Internet

Wisper Internet offers FWA in six midwestern states including Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Indiana. The company uses unlicensed spectrum in the 5 GHz, and a mix of unlicensed and licensed spectrum in the 2.5 GHz and 3.65 GHz bands. Like NextLink and Rise, the company also has deployed fiber in a few select areas.

Wisper offers a variety of rate plans including 25 Mbps for $70 per month; 50 Mbps for $75 per month; 100 Mbps for $80 per month; 200 Mbps for $110 per month and 400 Mbps for $140 per month.

Similar to the other WISPs, Wisper’s median download speeds increased over time but it increased dramatically from Q3 2023 to Q2 2025 when its median download speeds increased from 33.74 Mbps to 52.90 Mbps. Likewise, the download speeds for users in the 75th percentile also increased, climbing from 55.12 Mbps in Q3 2023 to 107.90 Mbps in Q2 2025. This jump in speeds was likely due to Wisper’s deployment of additional FWA gear from Tarana Wireless on 180 more towers in its footprint.

Wisper Internet's Median Download, 75th Percentile Download, and Median Upload Speeds
Q1 2021 through Q2 2025
Wisper Internet's median download, median upload and 75th percentile speeds over time.

Unwired

Unwired Broadband provides FWA coverage in rural and underserved areas in central and northern California. The company said it has a network of more than 200 towers and a coverage area of about 17,000 square miles. Besides FWA, Unwired also provides some fiber service but It’s early in its deployment process.

Unwired uses a combination of licensed and unlicensed spectrum to deliver its FWA service, including the licensed 2.5 GHz band and the unlicensed 6 GHz band.

The company offers both business and residential FWA service and its pricing starts at $59.99 per month for 100 Mbps.

Unwired users experienced increases in download and upload speeds over time but between Q3 2024 and Q4 2024 the jump was more dramatic. Median download speeds jumped from 27.22 Mbps in Q3 to 44.25 Mbps in Q4. Similarly median upload speeds increased from 9.7 Mbps in Q3 2024 to 15.9 Mbps in Q4.

Unwired's Median Download, 75th Percentile Download, and Median Upload Speeds
Q1 2021 through Q2 2025
Unwired's median download, median upload and 75th percentile speeds over time.

WISPs’ performance is improving but competitive threats lurk

Although the WISPs we studied are improving their networks and delivering better performance for their customers, the broadband market is rapidly changing. In the past many WISPs, particularly those in rural areas, faced little or no competition. But that’s no longer the case.

As LEO satellite constellations such as Starlink become more powerful and more prevalent (Amazon’s Kuiper now has 153 satellites in orbit and is expected to launch late this year), WISPs will face growing competition from these companies.

A recent Ookla report on Starlink found that Starlink’s network saw its median download speeds nearly double from 53.95 Mbps in Q3 2022 to 104.71 Mbps in Q1 2025, making its median download speeds on par or better than seven of the eight WISPs we reviewed (Starry was the only exception). With Starlink residential price plans starting around $80 per month, the company’s introductory price plan is a bit more expensive than some introductory price plans from WISPs but Starlink is aggressively promoting its services and offering large discounts on its equipment to entice new customers.

To continue to play in the broadband space, WISPs need to try to secure more spectrum–licensed or unlicensed— to avoid network congestion and interference and also invest in network upgrades so their services remain competitive.

To find out more about Speedtest Intelligence® data and insights, visit our website.

Ookla retains ownership of this article including all of the intellectual property rights, data, content graphs and analysis. This article may not be quoted, reproduced, distributed or published for any commercial purpose without prior consent. Members of the press and others using the findings in this article for non-commercial purposes are welcome to publicly share and link to report information with attribution to Ookla.

About the author

Sue Marek

Sue Marek is Ookla’s editorial director and part of the company’s analyst team. She oversees the company’s thought leadership and editorial content. Sue is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience covering the telecom industry and her work has appeared in Fierce Network, Light Reading, and SDxCentral. She is a frequent speaker at industry events and has moderated panels at Mobile World Las Vegas, Connect(x), the Consumer Electronics Show, the Competitive Carriers’ Show and 5G North America. Sue has a B.S. in journalism from the University of Colorado.

Ookla Research™ Articles

Affandy Johan | December 14, 2025

Mobile Power Play: Strategic Trade-Offs Shaping 5G Network Performance in Japan

日本語

Japan’s mobile market is one of the world’s most dynamic and technologically advanced, characterized by intense competition among four major operators: NTT DOCOMO, KDDI (au), SoftBank, and Rakuten Mobile. Each operator employs distinct strategies to secure market share in this highly competitive landscape. This report assesses 5G network performance and availability across Japan’s competitive mobile market.

Key Takeaways

4G remains the essential mobile connectivity service nationwide, while 5G access is geographically segmented. 5G Availability varies dramatically by location, ranging nearly fourfold from a high of 35.2% in Osaka to a low of 9.1% in Yamanashi. Conversely, the 4G network provides a stable and highly reliable foundation, with 4G Availability consistently clustered above the 97% mark across all major operators.
Japan’s mobile market is strategically split, with operators prioritizing distinct performance goals. SoftBank and au lead in median download speed across all technologies, at 62.05 Mbps and 57.85 Mbps, respectively. Conversely, Rakuten Mobile achieved the fastest median 5G download speed at 128.39 Mbps.
Operators’ 10th percentile download speeds across prefectures show that highly urbanized prefectures consistently receive higher minimum speeds, reflecting greater site density and capacity investment. NTT DOCOMO maintained the most consistent lower 10th percentile speed across prefectures, peaking at 41 Mbps in Ishikawa. SoftBank’s lower 10th percentile speeds show a significant variation that directly correlates with the urban-rural divide, peaking at 49 Mbps in Aomori but dropping to 4 Mbps in Nagano.

SoftBank leads all technologies in median download speed, while Rakuten Mobile achieves highest 5G speeds

Japan’s mobile telecommunications landscape features highly competitive networks and accelerating technology migration, which is reflected in operator performance data. Speedtest Intelligence®data from Q3 2025 shows SoftBank leading in median download speed across all technologies combined, at 62.05 Mbps, slightly surpassing au’s 57.85 Mbps. SoftBank’s leading performance stems from its notable network modernization and optimization initiatives, which aim to ensure reliable service delivery. Rakuten Mobile and NTT DOCOMO followed with median download speeds of 52.45 Mbps and 50.50 Mbps, respectively.

Mobile Operators All Technologies and 5G Performance, Japan
Source: Speedtest Intelligence® | Q3 2025

Conversely, Rakuten Mobile led in median 5G performance during the same period. Although its median download speed for all technologies combined was 52.45 Mbps (ranking third), Rakuten’s 5G median download and upload speeds were significantly higher at 128.39 Mbps and 22.34 Mbps, respectively. SoftBank followed with a median download speed of 127.45 Mbps and upload speed of 17.51 Mbps.

Nationwide availability data confirms extensive 4G baseline and differing 5G investment priorities

The Japanese mobile market operates under near-universal adoption, with approximately 194 million cellular connections and a penetration rate of 157% as of early 2025. This saturation dictates that competition is driven primarily by quality of service, speed, and next-generation network availability. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), the national 5G population coverage reached 98.4% by the end of fiscal year 2024.

Analysis of Network Availability using Ookla Speedtest Intelligence data from Q3 2025 measures how frequently mobile users connect to 4G and/or 5G networks. The data demonstrate the robust, widespread coverage of the 4G network across all major carriers, with scores clustered above 97%.

Mobile Operators 4G/5G Network Availability, Japan
Source: Speedtest Intelligence® | Q3 2025

5G Availability—the percentage of time users with 5G-capable devices spent connected to a 5G network—showed a more varied result. NTT DOCOMO led in 5G Availability with 38.4%, exceeding au by almost 6 percentage points. SoftBank recorded the lowest 5G Availability at 26.5%, despite achieving the fastest median download speed across all technologies. This outcome suggested a strategic trade-off, common across the industry due to Japan’s geographical challenges: operators often prioritize mid-band capacity and speed in accessible, high-traffic urban areas, while relying on their 4G networks for broader national coverage.

Disparity in 5G footprint across prefectures

Japan’s mobile network strategy is fundamentally shaped by its unique geography and extreme population concentration. While approximately 92.1% of the population resides in urban areas, this density necessitates operators covering vast, geographically challenging territories for the remaining users. The Japanese Government, through the MIC, imposes strict mandates tied to 5G spectrum licensing to ensure equitable service access. These requirements compel operators to invest significantly beyond major urban centers, including mandatory coverage obligations across all 47 prefectures.

Speedtest Intelligence data reveals significant disparities in 5G Availability across Japan’s prefectures. This variation is largely due to the nation’s unique population distribution and the economics associated with network build-out. The 5G Availability percentages vary dramatically, from a high of 35.2% in Osaka to a low of 9.1% in Yamanashi. This disparity means users are nearly four times less likely to access 5G connectivity in the lowest-ranking prefecture (Yamanashi) than in the highest (Osaka).

5G Availability (%) Across Prefectures
Source: Speedtest Intelligence® | Q3 2025

The prefectures with the highest 5G Availability results correspond to Japan’s most populated and economically vital regions, led by Osaka (35.2%), Tokyo (33.7%), Aichi (30.6%), and Kanagawa (29.1%). Operators have strategically prioritized these high-density areas for 5G deployment to maximize capacity of more advanced technology, and secure high-value customers. Conversely, largely inland or mountainous prefectures with scattered populations, such as Yamanashi (9.1%) and Nagano (9.8%), recorded the lowest 5G Availability. This minimal 5G presence underscores the significant challenge of deploying 5G in regions with low population density and difficult terrain, compelling operators to continue relying on their existing 4G networks.

Median 5G Download Speed (Mbps) Across Prefectures
Source: Speedtest Intelligence® | Q3 2025

The data shows a regional digital divide, marked by a substantial disparity in 5G Availability between the prefectures with the highest and lowest network access. This inequality is compounded by the fact that users in more rural prefectures not only spend significantly less time connected to the 5G network but also experience lower median 5G download speeds, widening the gap between urban and rural areas.

Osaka for instance, recorded 35.2% 5G Availability and a median 5G download speed of 172 Mbps, while Tokyo achieved 33.7% 5G Availability and 128 Mbps median 5G download speed. The dense site deployment in these centers confirms substantial infrastructure investment, and a more robust spectrum strategy. This strategic metropolitan focus directly supports the recorded higher speeds.

However, several prefectures contradict this correlation. Yamagata, for example, is a clear exception to this trend, recording the nation’s highest speed at 181 Mbps despite low 5G Availability at 13.9%. This suggests a scenario where operators deployed 5G infrastructure to meet regulatory coverage commitments, but low user density prevents network contention.

Operators’ 10th percentile 5G performance underscores the urban-rural quality divide

The analysis of the 10th percentile 5G download speeds across the 47 Japanese prefectures in Q3 2025 provides a crucial measure of minimum quality of performance, representing the speeds experienced by the bottom 10% of all users.

NTT DOCOMO generally recorded higher download speeds at the 10th percentile, securing the highest (peaking at 41 Mbps in Ishikawa) or near-highest scores across the widest array of prefectures. Conversely, SoftBank recorded the single highest minimum 10th percentile download speed across all prefectures, reaching 49 Mbps in Aomori. However, SoftBank’s 10th percentile performance varied significantly, dropping to 4 Mbps in Nagano, and 6 Mbps in Chiba. au and Rakuten Mobile generally showed lower and more tightly grouped minimum speeds, suggesting greater performance vulnerability, typically observed at the cell edge or during times of congestion.

10th Percentile Download (Mbps) Speed by Operator and Prefecture
Source: Speedtest Intelligence® | Q3 2025

The data shows a clear link between 10th percentile download speeds and urbanization. Highly urbanized prefectures or those serving as regional capitals consistently show higher minimum speeds across all operators. This is likely due to higher site density and focused mid-band spectrum deployment to manage greater user volume. For instance, in Osaka, all operators reported narrower 10th percentile speed ranges, from 18 Mbps to 28 Mbps.

Speedtest data also reveals a positive correlation between the median 5G download speed and the 5G Consistency Score across Japan’s prefectures. Ookla’s 5G Consistency metric measures the network’s ability to consistently provide a high-quality user experience, such as for 4K video streaming. Specifically, it quantifies the proportion of user samples that meet or exceed the performance threshold of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. Prefectures with higher median download speeds consistently demonstrate a proportionally higher probability of users experiencing a reliable service.

SoftBank recorded the highest 5G Consistency in many prefectures across all regions, demonstrating superior baseline reliability, particularly in Hokkaido and Tōhoku. Notable examples include Aomori in Tōhoku and Nagasaki in Kyūshū, both recording 90.9% consistency, and Iwate (Tōhoku) at 90.7%. NTT DOCOMO and au also demonstrated strong, consistent performance, reflecting the benefits of their mature, optimized infrastructure.

5G Consistency Across Prefectures
Source: Speedtest Intelligence® | Q3 2025

Significant regional disparities persist, highlighting specific areas that require immediate infrastructure improvement. The highest 5G Consistency scores were concentrated in the Chūgoku and Shikoku regions, with several operators exceeding 80%. Conversely, the lowest consistency scores are primarily found in rural or challenging prefectures, such as the northern Kanto region (Ibaraki, Gunma, Tochigi).

Japan’s 5G rollout has been a success, achieving high national coverage due to proactive regulatory policies and substantial investment from operators. The main policy goal of universal population coverage has clearly been met. However, an analysis of 5G performance shows a measurable disparity between urban and rural areas, likely influenced by strategic operator deployment decisions and geographical challenges. To ensure universal, high-quality digital connectivity across all of Japan’s 47 prefectures by the 2030 target, continued targeted investment in extending 5G infrastructure, coupled with the strategic integration of innovative technologies such as Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), is critical for bridging the digital divide.

モバイルパワープレイ：日本の5Gネットワークパフォーマンスを形作る戦略的なトレードオフ

日本のモバイル市場は、NTTドコモ、KDDI (au)、ソフトバンク、楽天モバイルという4つの主要な通信事業者の間で激しい競争が繰り広げられる、世界で最もダイナミックで技術的に進んだ市場の1つです。各事業者は、この競争の激しい環境で市場シェアを確保するために、明確な戦略を採用しています。本レポートは、日本の競争的なモバイル市場における5Gネットワークの性能と利用可能性を評価します。

主なポイント

4Gは全国的に不可欠なモバイル接続サービスである一方、5Gアクセスは地理的に分断されています。 5Gの利用可能性は場所によって劇的に異なり、大阪の35.2%を最高に、山梨の9.1%を最低として、約4倍の開きがあります。対照的に、4Gネットワークは、すべての主要な通信事業者で4Gの利用可能性が一貫して97%以上に集約されており、安定した信頼性の高い基盤を提供しています。
日本のモバイル市場は戦略的に二分されており、通信事業者は明確なパフォーマンス目標を優先しています。 SoftBankとauは、全技術のメディアンダウンロード速度でそれぞれ62.05 Mbpsと57.85 Mbpsを記録し、リードしています。一方、楽天モバイルは128.39 Mbpsで最速の5Gメディアンダウンロード速度を達成しました。
都道府県ごとの通信事業者の10パーセンタイルダウンロード速度は、高度に都市化された都道府県が一貫してより高い最低速度を受け取っていることを示しており、これはより高いサイト密度と容量投資を反映しています。NTTドコモは、石川県で41 Mbpsをピークとする、都道府県全体で最も一貫した低い10パーセンタイル速度を維持しました。SoftBankの低い10パーセンタイル速度は、都市と地方の格差に直接相関する大きな変動を示しており、青森県で49 Mbpsをピークに、長野県では4 Mbpsにまで落ち込んでいます。

SoftBankが全技術のメディアンダウンロード速度でリード、Rakutenが最高の5G速度を達成

日本のモバイル通信環境は、競争の激しいネットワークと加速する技術移行が特徴であり、これは通信事業者のパフォーマンスデータに反映されています。Speedtest Intelligence®の2025年第3四半期のデータによると、SoftBankが全技術を合わせたメディアンダウンロード速度で62.05 Mbpsを記録し、auの57.85 Mbpsをわずかに上回りリードしています。SoftBankの優れたパフォーマンスは、信頼性の高いサービス提供を目指した、注目すべきネットワーク近代化および最適化の取り組みに起因しています。楽天モバイルとNTT DOCOMOは、それぞれ53.54 Mbpsと50.50 Mbpsのメディアンダウンロード速度でそれに続きました。

日本の携帯電話事業者による全技術および5G性能
Source: Speedtest Intelligence® | Q3 2025

逆に、同期間の5GのメディアンパフォーマンスではRakuten Mobileがリードしました。全技術を合わせたメディアンダウンロード速度は52.45 Mbps（3位）でしたが、Rakutenの5Gメディアンダウンロード速度とアップロード速度はそれぞれ128.39 Mbpsと22.34 Mbpsと著しく高くなっています。SoftBankがこれに続き、メディアンダウンロード速度は127.45 Mbps、アップロード速度は17.51 Mbpsでした。

全国的な可用性データは、広範囲にわたる4Gベースラインと異なる5G投資の優先順位を裏付けています

日本のモバイル市場は、ほぼ普遍的な普及の状況下で運営されており、2025年初頭時点で約1億9400万の携帯電話接続と157%の普及率があります。この飽和状態により、競争は主にサービスの品質、速度、次世代ネットワークの可用性によって推進されています。総務省（MIC）によると、全国の5G人口カバー率は2024年度末までに98.4%に達しました。

2025年第3四半期のOokla Speedtest Intelligenceデータを使用したネットワーク可用性の分析は、モバイルユーザーが4Gまたは5Gネットワークに接続する頻度を測定しています。このデータは、すべての主要なキャリアで4Gネットワークが堅牢かつ広範囲にカバーされており、スコアが97%以上に集約されていることを明確に示しています。

携帯電話事業者による4G/5Gネットワーク可用性、日本
Source: Speedtest Intelligence® | Q3 2025

5G Availability—5G対応デバイスを持つユーザーが5Gネットワークに接続して過ごした時間の割合—は、より多様な結果を示しました。NTT DOCOMOが38.4%で5G Availabilityをリードし、auをほぼ6パーセントポイント上回りました。SoftBankは、全技術のメディアンダウンロード速度で最速を達成したにもかかわらず、26.5%で最も低い5G Availabilityを記録しました。この結果は、日本の地理的課題により業界全体で一般的な戦略的トレードオフを示唆しています。すなわち、通信事業者は、アクセスしやすくトラフィックの多い都市部でミッドバンドの容量と速度を優先する一方で、より広範な全国カバレッジには4Gネットワークに依存しているということです。

都道府県全体での5Gフットプリントの格差

日本のモバイルネットワーク戦略は、その独自の地理と極端な人口集中によって根本的に形成されています。人口の約92.1%が都市部に居住している一方で、この密度により、通信事業者は残りのユーザーのために広大で地理的に困難な地域をカバーする必要があります。

日本政府は、MICを通じて、公平なサービスアクセスを確保するために5Gスペクトルライセンスに厳格な義務を課しています。これらの要件により、通信事業者は、すべての47都道府県にわたる義務的なカバレッジ義務を含め、主要な都市中心部を超えて大幅な投資を行うことを余儀なくされています。

Speedtest Intelligenceデータは、日本の都道府県全体で5G Availabilityに重大な格差があることを明らかにしています。この変動は、主に国の独自の人口分布と、ネットワーク構築に伴う経済的要因に起因しています。5G Availabilityのパーセンテージは、大阪の35.2%を最高に、山梨の9.1%を最低として、劇的に異なっています。この格差は、ユーザーが最も低いランクの都道府県（山梨）で最も高いランクの都道府県（大阪）と比較して、5G接続にアクセスできる可能性が約4分の1未満であることを意味します。

都道府県別 5G Availability (%)
Source: Speedtest Intelligence® | Q3 2025

5G Availabilityの結果が最も高い都道府県は、日本の最も人口が多く経済的に重要な地域に対応しており、大阪 (35.2%)、東京 (33.7%)、愛知 (30.6%)、神奈川 (29.1%) がリードしています。通信事業者は、より高度な技術の容量を最大化し、高価値の顧客を確保するために、これらの高密度地域での5G展開を戦略的に優先してきました。対照的に、山梨 (9.1%) や長野 (9.8%) のように、人口が散在している内陸または山岳部の多い都道府県では、最低の5G Availabilityが記録されました。この最小限の5Gの存在は、人口密度の低い地域や困難な地形での5G展開の重大な課題を浮き彫りにしており、通信事業者は既存の4Gネットワークに頼り続けることを余儀なくされています。

都道府県別 5G中央値ダウンロード速度（Mbps)
Source: Speedtest Intelligence® | Q3 2025

データは、最高のネットワークアクセスを持つ都道府県と最低のネットワークアクセスを持つ都道府県との間で、5G Availabilityに大きな格差がある地域的なデジタルデバイドを示しています。この不平等は、より地方の都道府県のユーザーが5Gネットワークに接続して過ごす時間が著しく少ないだけでなく、メディアン5Gダウンロード速度も低く、都市部と地方の格差を広げているという事実によってさらに悪化しています。

例えば、大阪では5G Availabilityが35.2%、メディアン5Gダウンロード速度が172 Mbpsを記録しましたが、東京では5G Availabilityが33.7%、メディアン5Gダウンロード速度が128 Mbpsでした。これらの中心地での高密度なサイト展開は、大規模なインフラ投資と、より堅牢なスペクトル戦略を裏付けています。この戦略的な大都市圏への集中は、記録されたより高い速度を直接的に支えています。

しかし、いくつかの都道府県はこの相関関係に反しています。例えば、山形県は、5G Availabilityが13.9%と低いにもかかわらず、国内最高の速度である181 Mbpsを記録しており、この傾向の明確な例外です。これは、通信事業者が規制上のカバレッジ義務を満たすために5Gインフラを展開したものの、ユーザー密度の低さがネットワークの競合を防いでいるシナリオを示唆しています。

通信事業者の10パーセンタイル5Gパフォーマンスが、都市と地方の品質格差を浮き彫りに

2025年第3四半期における日本の47都道府県全体での10パーセンタイル5Gダウンロード速度の分析は、最低限のパフォーマンス品質の重要な指標を提供し、全ユーザーの下位10%が経験する速度を表しています。

NTT DOCOMOは、一般的に10パーセンタイルでより高いダウンロード速度を記録し、最も広範な都道府県で最高（石川県で41 Mbpsをピーク）またはそれに近いスコアを確保しました。対照的に、SoftBankは、全都道府県の中で単一で最高の最低10パーセンタイルダウンロード速度を記録し、青森県で49 Mbpsに達しました。しかし、SoftBankの10パーセンタイルパフォーマンスは大きく変動し、長野県で4 Mbps、千葉県で6 Mbpsにまで落ち込みました。auとRakuten Mobileは、一般的に低く、より密接にグループ化された最低速度を示しており、通常、セルエッジや混雑時に見られる、より大きなパフォーマンスの脆弱性を示唆しています。

事業者および都道府県別10パーセンタイルダウンロード速度（Mbps）
Source: Speedtest Intelligence® | Q3 2025

データは、10パーセンタイルダウンロード速度と都市化の間に明確な関連性があることを示しています。高度に都市化された都道府県、または地方の中心都市として機能する都道府県は、すべての通信事業者で一貫してより高い最低速度を示しています。これは、より高いサイト密度と、より大きなユーザーボリュームを管理するための集中的なミッドバンドスペクトル展開による可能性が高いです。例えば、大阪では、すべての通信事業者が10パーセンタイル速度でより狭い範囲を報告しており、それは18 Mbpsから28 Mbpsの間に及んでいます。

Speedtest dataはまた、日本の都道府県全体で、メディアン5Gダウンロード速度と5G Consistency Scoreの間に正の相関関係があることを示しています。Ooklaの5G Consistency metricは、4Kビデオストリーミングなどの高品質なユーザーエクスペリエンスを一貫して提供するネットワークの能力を測定します。具体的には、25 Mbpsのダウンロード速度と3 Mbpsのアップロード速度の性能閾値を満たす、または超えるユーザーサンプルの割合を定量化します。メディアンダウンロード速度が高い都道府県は、ユーザーが信頼性の高いサービスを経験する可能性が比例して高いことを一貫して示しています。

SoftBankは、すべての地域で多くの都道府県で最高の5G Consistencyを記録し、特に北海道と東北地方で優れたベースラインの信頼性を示しています。注目すべき例としては、東北の青森県と九州の長崎県があり、どちらも90.9%のconsistencyを記録し、岩手県（東北）は90.7%でした。NTT DOCOMOとauもまた、成熟した最適化されたインフラストラクチャの利点を反映して、強力で一貫したパフォーマンスを示しました。

都道府県別 5G Consistency
Source: Speedtest Intelligence® | Q3 2025

地域間の大きな格差が依然として残っており、早急なインフラ改善が必要な特定の地域を浮き彫りにしています。最高の5G Consistency scoresは中国・四国地方に集中しており、複数の通信事業者が80%を超えています。逆に、最低のconsistency scoresは、主に北関東地方（茨城、群馬、栃木）のような地方や困難な環境の都道府県で見られます。

日本の5G展開は成功しており、積極的な規制政策と通信事業者からの多大な投資により、高い全国カバレッジを達成しました。ユニバーサルな人口カバレッジという主要な政策目標は明確に達成されています。しかし、5Gパフォーマンスの分析は、戦略的な通信事業者の展開決定と地理的な課題の影響を受けている可能性が高い、都市部と地方との間に測定可能な格差があることを示しています。2030年という目標までに、日本の47すべての都道府県でユニバーサルで高品質なデジタル接続を確保するためには、5Gインフラの拡張への継続的かつ的を絞った投資と、Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) のような革新的な技術の戦略的な統合が、デジタルデバイドを埋めるために不可欠です。

About the author

Affandy Johan

Affandy Johan is the Industry Analyst at Ookla Research. He utilizes Ookla's data to develop insightful analyses covering various factors and aspects impacting the market. Affandy has extensive experience in the telecom industry, having worked for major vendors and operators in the Asia Pacific region.

Linkedin /affandy

Ookla Research™ Articles

Affandy Johan | March 25, 2025

Charting Malaysia’s 5G Journey: From Urban Priorities to Nationwide Coverage

Malaysia has made strong progress in improving mobile internet connectivity nationwide in recent years. Key government initiatives, particularly the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA), combined with investments by telecommunications operators, have driven this growth. However, challenges remain in rural areas, where coverage is still inconsistent.

Key Takeaways

Malaysia’s mobile download speed increased 2.3 times as 5G adoption surged. Malaysia’s mobile performance improved significantly between Q1 2023 and Q4 2024, with median download speeds increasing 2.3 times from 45.57 Mbps to 105.36 Mbps. Upload speeds also rose from 12.84 Mbps to 19.62 Mbps. 5G adoption played a key role, growing from 6.7% of connections in Q1 2023 to 41.9% by Q4 2024.
From early to mid-2023, 5G Availability in Malaysia expanded from major urban states to more rural areas. Between Q1 2023 and Q4 2024, rural states saw noticeable increases in 5G Availability — the proportion of users of 5G-capable devices who spend most of their time on 5G networks — driven by network expansion beyond urban centers. Labuan Federal Territory recorded the largest increase, with a 34.3 percentage point rise.
Rural states reported faster 5G speeds than urban ones, due to lower congestion and network demand. In Q4 2024, states with lower 5G Availability, such as Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang, recorded median 5G download speeds exceeding 366 Mbps. Meanwhile, urbanized states like Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, with higher 5G Availability, reported slower speeds below 280 Mbps, highlighting the increasing strain on urban networks as 5G adoption accelerates.

Improving Nationwide Connectivity in Malaysia

The efforts of the Malaysian regulator, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and major telecommunications operators have been pivotal in narrowing the digital divide and improving internet connectivity nationwide. Central to these efforts is the Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) program, which aims to expand 4G coverage, increase mobile broadband speeds, and prepare the country for 5G rollout. Phase 1, completed in 2022, focused on strengthening 4G networks and shutting down 3G services. By the end of this phase, 4G coverage had reached 96.9% of populated areas, with average mobile broadband speeds of 116.03 Mbps. Phase 2, which runs from 2022 to 2025, builds on this progress with targets of mean mobile broadband speeds of 100 Mbps and achieving 100% 4G and 80% 5G population coverage.

Malaysia’s 5G rollout has been a central part of its connectivity strategy, with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) leading the deployment of 5G infrastructure as the single wholesale network provider. The rollout aims to provide widespread 5G coverage by 2025, unlocking opportunities for advancements in smart cities, healthcare, and logistics. In May 2023, the Malaysian government announced plans to introduce a second 5G network provider, contingent on DNB reaching 80% population coverage. DNB met this milestone in December 2023, recording 80.2% coverage. This achievement paved the path for the government to award the second 5G network license to U Mobile. According to MCMC, introducing a second provider is expected to drive competition, enhance network resilience, and help lower costs for consumers in the long term.

Steady 5G adoption pushes Malaysia’s mobile download speeds past 100 Mbps

Speedtest Intelligence® data reveals that Malaysia has experienced a steady increase in both mobile median download and upload speeds for all technologies. Our data reveals that median mobile download speeds for all technologies combined in Malaysia increased 2.3 times from 45.57 Mbps up to 105.36 Mbps between Q1 2023 and Q4 2024. There was a slight improvement across upload speeds, with the median mobile upload speed in the market increasing in the same period from 12.84 Mbps to 19.62 Mbps.

Mobile (All Technologies Combined) Performance, Malaysia
Speedtest Intelligence® | Q1 2023 – Q4 2024

The continuous expansion of the 5G network by the nation’s 5G single wholesale network (SWN) provider, DNB, and increased 5G adoption has helped with the upward increase of mobile speed in the past two years. Data from GSMA Intelligence shows a steady and consistent increase in the percentage of 5G connections in Malaysia from Q1 2023 to Q4 2024. 5G connections grew from 6.7% in Q1 2023 to 21.7% by Q4 2023, and further to 41.9% by Q4 2024.

Percentage of Mobile Connections on 5G in Malaysia
GSMA Intelligence | Q1 2023 – Q4 2024

This sustained growth reflects expanding 5G coverage, the increasing availability of 5G devices, and growing consumer and enterprise demand for faster, more reliable mobile connectivity. The rollout by DNB and efforts by mobile operators to make 5G plans more accessible have contributed to this adoption. The data suggests that 5G has transitioned from early adoption stages to becoming a mainstream technology, with continued growth expected as 5G coverage expands nationwide.

5G Deployment Focus Shifts Toward Broader State-Level Coverage

By the end of 2022, DNB had achieved 50% 5G coverage of populated areas. Following this milestone, the government accelerated its target, mandating DNB to reach 80% coverage by the end of 2023 — a goal that was originally set for the end of 2024. Ookla’s 5G Availability data from Speedtest Intelligence represents the proportion of users of 5G-capable devices who spend most of their time on 5G networks. Between Q1 2023 and Q4 2024, Malaysia’s 5G Availability increased from 20.9% to 32.8%.

Analysis of the data from Q1 2023 to Q4 2024 reveals clear shifts in 5G deployment patterns across Malaysia. In early 2023, major cities and urban centers such as Putrajaya (35.4%), the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (29.3%), and Johor (18%) reported the highest levels of 5G Availability. This early focus on urban areas was expected, as these densely populated locations provided faster returns on investment and met immediate demand from businesses and consumers.

5G Availability (%) Trend by State, Malaysia
Speedtest Intelligence® | Q1 2023 – Q4 2024

By mid-2023, deployment efforts began shifting toward smaller and more rural states. This shift is reflected in the substantial increases in 5G Availability in areas such as Labuan Federal Territory (+34.4 percentage points), Penang (+20.8), Kedah (+19.1), and Terengganu (+18.4). These gains align with the objectives of JENDELA Phase 2, which aims to extend 5G connectivity nationwide. The strong growth in these regions demonstrates the government’s and operators’ commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring more balanced connectivity between urban centers and rural communities.

Percentage Point Growth in 5G Availability Across Malaysian States
Speedtest Intelligence® | Q1 2023 – Q4 2024

Urbanized states and territories continued to see steady growth in 5G Availability, though at a slower rate compared to more rural states. For example, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur reported smaller increases of 16.1 and 10.4 percentage points, respectively, showing that these areas were already well covered and improvements were focused on coverage quality and capacity enhancements rather than new deployments. This deployment strategy reflects a balanced national approach — solidifying urban 5G readiness while expanding access into smaller cities and rural regions to meet nationwide targets.

Rural states show lower 5G Availability but experience faster 5G speeds

Data for Q4 2024 highlights significant differences in 5G performance across Malaysian states. Rural states such as Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang report the highest median 5G download speeds, with Kelantan leading at 392.04 Mbps, followed by Terengganu at 375.38 Mbps and Pahang at 366.03 Mbps. However, these states also have lower 5G Availability, with Kelantan at 18.2%, Pahang at 17.3%, and Terengganu at 23.4%. In contrast, more developed areas such as Putrajaya and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, despite having higher 5G Availability rates of 51.5% and 39.7%, show lower median download speeds of 325.47 Mbps and 243.21 Mbps, respectively.

5G Availability (%) and Median 5G Download Speed (Mbps) By State, Malaysia
Speedtest Intelligence® | Q4 2024

This is somewhat expected, as the higher 5G speeds in rural states can be attributed to lower user density and less network congestion. With fewer users accessing the network simultaneously, available bandwidth is distributed among a smaller number of connections, resulting in faster speeds. Additionally, the rollout of 5G infrastructure in these states is often targeted at the state’s capital city and major towns. However, the limited availability indicates that coverage is still expanding and does not yet reach the broader population. In contrast, urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Selangor, which have higher 5G Availability, experience lower median speeds due to higher user demand and potential network congestion. As 5G adoption continues to grow and more users connect to the network, performance fluctuations are expected due to increasing traffic demand.

Malaysia’s 5G landscape faces new dynamics with the introduction of a second 5G provider

In November 2024, Malaysia’s government announced a shift to a 5G dual-network wholesale model, and granted a second 5G wholesale network license to U Mobile, the country’s third-largest mobile network operator. The government’s decision to introduce a second 5G network reflects a strategic effort to increase competition, improve service delivery, and accelerate the nationwide rollout of 5G. U Mobile has committed to deploying this network independently, with a target completion by mid-2026, positioning itself as a major player in Malaysia’s next-generation connectivity landscape.

The shift to a dual-network model is expected to bring several advantages to the market. Increased competition between two wholesale providers should lead to better network quality and more competitive pricing for mobile network operators and end consumers. This dual-network setup strengthens resilience in the national network infrastructure by reducing reliance on a single provider. Furthermore, having two competing 5G networks could drive innovation and encourage more aggressive investment in new technologies and service enhancements that will benefit sectors like healthcare, smart cities, and logistics, all of which are part of Malaysia’s digital transformation agenda.

However, this development does not come without challenges. Deploying a second nationwide 5G network requires significant investment in infrastructure, spectrum management, and network operations. There is a risk of resource duplication and inefficiencies if the two operators do not coordinate their efforts, especially in areas where coverage overlaps. Additionally, dual wholesale network could become an issue, potentially slowing the unified growth of the 5G ecosystem. Interoperability between the two networks, as well as integration with existing 4G infrastructure, will also require careful management to ensure seamless service quality for consumers and businesses alike.

We will continue to monitor Malaysia’s telecom market as it evolves. For more information about Speedtest Intelligence data and insights, please contact us.

About the author

Affandy Johan

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Ookla Research™ Articles

Sylwia Kechiche | April 26, 2022

The Case for Private Networks in India

The recent recommendation from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) around providing an enabling framework for enterprises to build their own private networks is in line with other 5G markets, where governments are looking to drive the digitization of key industries. However, Indian operators see this as limiting their return on investment in the 5G spectrum. Looking at the example of private networks across Europe, and Germany in particular, we believe that Indian telcos shouldn’t see TRAI’s proposal as a threat. Rather, they should use the buzz around the spectrum for verticals as a way to get enterprises interested in digitalization.

The overall financial health of the Indian telecom industry remains fragile. Furthermore, operators’ ability to invest in upgrading their network is negatively impacted by low average revenue per user (ARPU) levels and high regulatory costs. As a result, India’s mobile performance is affected. According to the Speedtest Global Index™, in March 2022 India ranked 120 (out of 142 countries) with a 13.67 Mbps median mobile download speed vs. the global average of 29.96 Mbps. The 5G network rollout will require intensive capital investment and allowing enterprises to have access to dedicated spectrum can potentially limit operators’ 5G-addressable revenue.

The case for 5G in manufacturing

On the consumer side, 5G will boost Indian mobile performance, as we have postulated in our recent article, new 5G launches in Asia Pacific point to a potential 10x increase in median download speeds (5G vs 4G-LTE). However, 5G will also deliver socioeconomic benefits in India, on account of a number of 5G use cases that could enable new applications across all sectors. According to GSMA Intelligence, 5G is expected to contribute around $455 billion to the Indian economy over the next 20 years, accounting for more than 0.6% of GDP by 2040. One of the sectors that stands to benefit from 5G is the manufacturing sector, representing 20% of the total benefit. Retail, ICT and agricultural sectors should also benefit.

The Indian government has already zeroed in on making India’s manufacturing sector more competitive on a global scene. As such, the “Make in India” goal is to make India self-reliant and also to increase the share of the manufacturing sector to 25% of GDP “in the coming years.”

As of now, this is a distant goal. China is still the world’s manufacturing superpower, accounting for 29% of global manufacturing output in 2020, followed by Japan (17%) and Germany (5%). All of these countries have embarked on digitization strategies.

In addition, manufacturing companies look to optimize and control production processes, improve safety, and reduce costs in order to maximize the return on investment. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges and pain points for manufacturers, highlighting the need to improve supply-chain resilience and boost production speed and flexibility. However, even before the pandemic, the manufacturing sector was undergoing digital transformation – the so-called fourth industrial revolution or Industry 4.0, referring to the use of technologies such as machine learning, edge computing, IoT, digital twins, and new networks to aid automation and enable data exchange.

According to Ericsson, typical revenue increases when manufacturers digitize their processes come from increased throughput and quality (2–3%), while typical cost savings originate from improved capital efficiency (5–10%) and decreased manufacturing costs (4–8%). A proportion of manufacturers will need dedicated network resources to meet their transformation goals and ensure data isolation and security. According to the GSMA Intelligence Enterprise in Focus 2020 survey, 22% of manufacturers require location-specific coverage (e.g. factory, campus).

Historically, Wi-Fi has been the connectivity choice for private networks. However, mobile technologies such as 4G/LTE and 5G are better suited to Operational Technologies’ network requirements of high volume, high reliability, mobility, and always-on operations. 5G and 5G Standalone in particular offers the most benefits related to eMBB, massive IoT, and critical IoT. Additionally, enterprises decided to deploy proprietary networks to have more control over their networks; the increased security offered by isolating their data from public networks is an attractive benefit.

Private networks aren’t new

A number of countries are looking to private networks to address Industry 4.0 objectives and awarding spectrum for vertical use e.g. Germany, Japan and France. According to GSA data, as of February 2022 there were 656 organizations deploying LTE or 5G private mobile networks. GSA’s data points to the manufacturing sector as a strong adopter of private mobile networks, with 111 identified companies involved in known pilots or deployments, which is up from 51 at the start of 2021.

Dedicated spectrum available for private mobile networks has already been allocated in France, the United States, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Germany is considered to be a poster child for Industry 4.0. Afterall, the term “Industry 4.0” was coined at Hannover Messe over a decade ago. It is therefore only natural to look to Germany and its approach to private networks. In Germany, the national regulatory authority (BnetzA) is promoting industrial policy and reserved 100 MHz in the 3,700-3,800 MHz for local networks, noting that the spectrum can be used in particular for Industry 4.0. “By awarding spectrum for local 5G networks, we are creating scope for innovation for enterprises,” stated Jochen Homann, Bundesnetzagentur President. As of April 15, 2022, the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) received a total of 208 applications for the allocation of frequencies for local 5G networks and granted the same amount.

We have commented on how the private networks landscape is developing in Europe here. Simply assigning spectrum to verticals isn’t enough to drive market adoption. In an upcoming analysis, we will discuss how the French government has prioritized 5G as an avenue to drive digital transformation of the economy via a number of funds. According to the GSA, there were a total of 66 private networks all together in France, Germany, and Japan, despite enterprises being able to acquire spectrum since 2019.

Despite the 208 applications that BNetzA received, the GSA has counted 45 private networks in Germany, with a majority distributed between three verticals: manufacturing (14), power and water utilities (11), and devices testing and lab as a service (seven).

It is important to note that globally, as per the latest GSA data, only 21% of networks were 5G only, and mostly composed of test networks. Until the 5G device ecosystem matures, the majority of private networks will remain 4G/LTE, though using equipment that is 5G ready. Only after the availability of industrial-feature-rich 5G release 16 chipsets, which will happen in the next few years, will the 5G deployments move beyond trials and proof of concept into full scale deployments. Germany is an outlier here: 5G and 5G SA are making headways in Germany. Audi, KUKA, Volkswagen, and Siemens take an active role in testing and deploying 5G SA private networks utilizing localized spectrum in the 3500 MHz band (n78).

The many routes to market

TRAI has proposed an enabling framework for enterprises to build their own private networks via a range of deployment scenarios, including spectrum leasing and dedicated spectrum. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) representing major telecom companies such as Bharti Airtel Ltd, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, and Vodafone Idea Ltd. opposed this, stating that TRAI should: “Disallow private enterprise networks for the financial viability and orderly growth of the telecom industry, which is more than capable of delivering these services to businesses”.

Yes and no. Operators can utilize various deployment models, from public dedicated networks through hybrid networks (network slicing, public/private campus, private RAN with public core) to private networks. Within these various models, network slicing and edge computing add the benefits of QoS, privacy, security, and specific SLAs.

When it comes to private networks, the typical rules of engagement no longer apply, and with network virtualization continuing, the ecosystem of vendors has expanded beyond traditional telco players. Just recently Cisco entered this crowded market that already consists of operators, hyperscalers, startups, and equipment vendors. Amazon’s introduction of AWS Private 5G network is a good example of the growing “coopetition” trend. In some cases, AWS would work with operators to provide 5G core and edge computing capabilities, while in some others, it could compete to offer end-to-end solutions. Nokia is looking to address the enterprise demand in India via working with network operators, but also by working directly with enterprises, as Ricky Corker, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Nokia recently stated.

We can draw lessons by looking at the approach that European operators took when addressing the enterprise opportunity. Deutsche Telekom has been offering campus network solutions for enterprises since 2019, and now operates more than ten such local networks based on 5G non-standalone technology or LTE across Germany. In January 2022, the operator expanded its offering to include location-specific 5G mobile networks for companies based on 5G Standalone Technology (5G SA), powered by the Ericsson Private 5G portfolio. The operator can also position itself as a systems integrator (SI) for 5G private networks for Industry 4.0 by utilizing T-Systems’ credentials and its deal with AWS.

Similarly, Vodafone takes an active role in deploying private networks, and distinguishes three degrees of industrial control depending on a private network setup.

In the first scenario, a dedicated mobile private network (MPN) brings total control to the enterprise because everything stays on site. There is no interoperability with public networks. This is particularly well suited for mission- or business-critical applications that don’t need to interface with the public internet.

The second option is a hybrid private network, which is a blend of public and private infrastructure. It enables interoperability with public networks for those devices and users which move outside the private network, while at the same time giving the end user a choice regarding where the data is stored.

The third option, a virtual private network, uses a dedicated slice of a public 5G network. End-user control over the setup is reduced, but compared to the public network it has a dedicated network resource, and allows for greater data isolation, security and privacy, and further SLA customization (availability and reliability). According to Marc Sauter, head of mobile private networks for Vodafone’s business division, network slicing hinges on future releases of the 5G standard, available from next year. “That is when virtual private networks will be more relevant, and a new market will open up with smaller customers.” Vodafone is also very vocal about the importance of the ecosystem, and working on innovation. In its innovation hub in Milan, Vodafone works with developers and startups, and large companies can play around with 5G use cases.

Leveraging existing credentials and forming partnerships to go beyond core competencies can open up new markets for operators. Partners’ ecosystem is key, and to be successful, operators need to partner across the ecosystem. As enterprises’ needs vary, having a broad portfolio of vendors that can address various verticals, technological, and coverage needs will only stimulate the growth of the market.

Indian telcos have already embarked on this journey. Airtel has partnered with Tech Mahindra for a joint 5G innovation lab to develop “Make in India” use cases for the local and global markets, including customized enterprise-grade private networks. These services will combine Airtel’s integrated connectivity portfolio of 5G ready mobile network, fiber, SDWAN, and IoT along with Tech Mahindra’s SI capabilities.Meanwhile, Vodafone Idea (Vi) joined forces with A5G Networks to enable industry 4.0 and smart mobile edge computing in India. They have jointly set up a pilot private network in Mumbai using existing 4G spectrum.

Rather than seeing spectrum for verticals as a threat, operators can use it as a way to get enterprises, in particular manufacturing companies, interested in digitalization. According to the FICCI-EFESO survey, 36% of organizations will implement “Use of Industry 4.0 technologies for predicting failures in machines, products and processes” in the next 1-2 years, while 22% have already done so. The opportunity is there for the taking.

To learn more about how Ookla® has worked with operators and industries to help plan for 5G growth, contact us.

About the author

Sylwia Kechiche

Sylwia Kechiche, formerly Principal Industry Analyst, Enterprise at Ookla. Previously Principal Analyst, IoT and Enterprise at GSMA Intelligence, where she was responsible for the development of IoT & Enterprise product, including market sizing, custom consulting, survey work and report writing.

Ookla Research™ Articles

Ookla | February 19, 2024

Illustrating the Global Reach of 5G (Poster Download)

Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data illustrates the continued expansion of 5G networks globally, with Speedtest users in India in particular adding many new locations during the course of 2023. Our recent analysis of global 5G performance showed that newer 5G markets such as India, Malaysia, and Brazil have all contributed to an uplift in worldwide median performance. While the number of locations with 5G continues to rise, 5G download speeds show no sign of levelling off, increasing by 17% in 2023 to reach 207.42 Mbps. However, 5G upload performance has stagnated, up only 1% year-on-year to 19.90 Mbps, and latency continues to drag on the 5G experience, with no statistical difference year-on-year, with the median user globally experiencing a 5G connection latency of 44 ms.

To fully appreciate the continued expansion of 5G networks around the world, we’ve created a high-resolution downloadable poster (mobile friendly version available here), detailing locations with 5G based on consumer initiated Speedtest samples.

Ookla will be at Mobile World Congress this year, located at in Booth 2I28 in Hall 2. Please drop by to discuss the state of connectivity in your market, and how Ookla’s network insights can help deliver better connected experiences.

About the author

Ookla

Ookla® is a global leader in connectivity intelligence that provides consumers, businesses, and other organizations with data-driven insights to improve networks and connected experiences.

Ookla Research™ Articles

Isla McKetta | May 5, 2021

Starlink: Bridging the Digital Divide or Shooting for the Stars?

Elon Musk has a vision to use Starlink satellites to deliver world-class internet speeds to the rural households that have been left behind by so many infrastructure projects over the years. It’s a noble goal, and one that’s become increasingly necessary given our reliance on the internet over the past year. It could also help bridge the glaring gaps in performance between cities and rural communities which the Biden administration is prioritizing in the American Jobs Plan. Starlink is still in beta phase, but we decided to use data from Speedtest Intelligence® to investigate Q1 2021 performance in the U.S. and Canada to see if the program is living up to expectations.

Starlink speeds are sometimes a vast improvement, sometimes not

ookla_united_states_median_download_starlink_map_0521-3
In the U.S. during Q1 2021, median download speeds from Starlink ranged from 40.36 Mbps in Columbia County, Oregon to 93.09 Mbps in Shasta County, California. These represented everything from a dramatic improvement over other fixed broadband providers (545.6% faster in Tehama County, California) to a disappointment (67.9% slower in Clay County, Missouri).

ookla_united_states_download_comparison_starlink_map_0521-3

Starlink shows a narrower range of performance in Canada

ookla_canada_median_download_starlink_map_0521-3

Starlink’s Q1 2021 median download speeds in Canadian provinces showed a smaller range than in the U.S. with a low of 53.61 Mbps in Ontario and a high of 80.57 Mbps in Saskatchewan. Percentage difference when compared to all other fixed broadband providers also showed a narrower range. In Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Starlink customers reported median download speeds 59.6% and 38.5% faster than those for all other fixed broadband providers combined. In Québec, median download speeds were nearly equal, with Starlink performing only 3.4% slower. In B.C., Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick, on the other hand, Starlink’s median download speeds were 20.9%, 24.2%, 29.5% and 40.7% slower than other fixed broadband providers, respectively.

ookla_canada_download_comparison_starlink_map_0521-3

Starlink latency is up to 486% higher in U.S., 369% in Canada

A reasonable latency is critical to effective internet use. If your latency is too high, you might be the one on the video call with the tinny voice who’s answering questions when the conversation’s already moved on. If you’re a gamer, you already know that latency can cause your characters to stutter-step around at critical moments. Starlink plans to use low-Earth orbit satellites with laser links to radically decrease latency in rural areas. What we’re seeing so far, though, is that Starlink’s latency is higher than the alternatives, often much higher.

ookla_united_states_latency_comparison_starlink_map_0521-3

Starlink’s latency was higher in all but one of the U.S. counties surveyed during Q1 2021. The exception was Mariposa County, California where Starlink’s latency was 17.4% lower than that of all other providers combined. Median latency values on Starlink were observed from 31 ms (Kittitas County, Washington) all the way up to 88 ms (Otsego County, Michigan). For comparison, median latency values for all other providers combined ranged from 8 ms (Fairfax County, Virginia) to 47 ms (Daviess County, Kentucky).

ookla_canada_latency_comparison_starlink_map_0521-3

In Canada, Starlink’s latency was higher in all provinces surveyed during Q1 2021. With median latency values from 34 ms (B.C.) to 61 ms (Saskatchewan), Starlink’s latency was 209.1% to 369.2% higher than that of all other providers combined.

Starlink meets minimum tier for FCC’s Rural Development Opportunity Fund

In order to compete for the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), providers must meet the minimum performance tier (25 Mbps download / 3 Mbps upload / 100 ms latency). We analyzed Speedtest® results for users with more than two tests during Q1 2021 to see whether Starlink could potentially qualify for this funding.

ookla_percentage_users_fcc_performance_tiers_0521

In both the U.S. and Canada, Starlink provided competitive or better service at the minimum (25/3/100) tier. In the U.S., 86.7% of Starlink users met this threshold, compared with 83.2% of those on all other fixed broadband providers. Although the FCC’s criteria don’t apply north of the border, 85.6% of Canadian Starlink users met the Minimum threshold, compared with 77.8% for all other providers. Starlink showed a smaller proportion of users meeting the baseline and above baseline tiers than all other providers combined.

Given this data, it’s safe to say Starlink could be a cost-effective solution that dramatically improves rural broadband access without having to lay thousands of miles of fiber.

Musk’s Starlink experiment is certainly fascinating and we applaud any effort to get better service for rural residents. That said, it’s clearly early days for the rapidly growing Starlink, and results from Q1 may not be indicative of future performance. We’ll be watching to see how performance improves as more satellites are launched and as more users join the service. If you’re on Starlink, take a Speedtest to share how your connection is performing.

Editor’s note: this article was updated on May 17 with a sentence clarifying how this data should be interpreted.

About the author

Isla McKetta

Isla was the first content manager at Ookla, working her way up to Sr. Director of Consumer Marketing in her 8+ years with the company.

Ookla Research™ Articles

Mark Giles | May 17, 2023

ISPs Need to Do More to Improve Wi-Fi Performance in the Home

Key messages

Wi-Fi woes continue. Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data shows Wi-Fi performance continues to lag behind ethernet performance within home networks in many advanced fixed broadband markets, with Wi-Fi speeds typically ranging from between 30-40% of ethernet speeds during Q1 2023.
Developed Asian and North American markets lead the charge to Wi-Fi 6/6E. Wi-Fi 4 and 5 remain the dominant Wi-Fi access technologies globally, accounting for a combined 89% of Speedtest® samples during Q1 2023. However, a number of advanced fixed broadband markets are rapidly migrating to Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, with China, Hong Kong (SAR), Singapore, Canada, and the U.S. leading the charge.
Growing Wi-Fi 6/6E adoption helps narrow the gap in Wi-Fi performance. In markets such as Canada, France, Germany, Singapore, Sweden, and the U.S., where the transition to fiber is more advanced, and where ISPs are actively driving adoption of Wi-Fi 6/6E routers, we see Wi-Fi performance closing the gap to ethernet. However, more needs to be done in other markets, where migration to more advanced fixed access networks is exposing the limitations of the installed base of Wi-Fi routers.
Router vendors pushing the envelope with Wi-Fi 7 capable launches. ASUS leads the market for Wi-Fi 6/6E routers among Speedtest samples, and both ASUS and other leading router vendors have been quick to launch Wi-Fi 7 capable routers. Despite this, Wi-Fi 6 and 6E remain the growing component of their installed bases. ASUS leads the market according to Speedtest Intelligence with 39% of its routers we sampled supporting Wi-Fi 6/6E during Q1 2023, well ahead of second placed NETGEAR with 26%.
Smartphone device support indicates Wi-Fi 6/6E should remain the immediate focus for ISPs. With the two largest smartphone vendors globally, Samsung and Apple, currently shunning Wi-Fi 7, ISPs waiting to see if they can leapfrog Wi-Fi 6E to Wi-Fi 7 should stay their hands. The fact that China still needs to allocate the 6 GHz spectrum band — key for Wi-Fi 6E and 7 — for unlicensed use is also significant, and appears to have weighed on the Wi-Fi 6E adoption among China’s leading Android smartphone manufacturers.

Wi-Fi performance continues to lag ethernet within the home

ISPs in advanced fixed broadband markets are increasingly looking to offer more advanced Wi-Fi routers and solutions such as mesh networks, which are designed to improve Wi-Fi coverage and performance. However, Speedtest Intelligence data shows that more needs to be done to improve Wi-Fi performance, which typically ranged from between 30-40% of ethernet speeds. Median Wi-Fi performance as measured by Speedtest will tend to lag behind median ethernet performance, depending on distance of the end-user device from the router, including any obstacles and signal interference the Wi-Fi signal needs to traverse to reach the device.

Our analysis of Speedtest Intelligence data reveals that driving greater adoption of more advanced Wi-Fi routers can help ISPs narrow the gap between Wi-Fi and ethernet performance, with ISPs in Canada, France, Germany, Singapore, Sweden, and the U.S. already successfully doing so over the past year.

Despite this, the results are not always positive, with the gap between Wi-Fi and ethernet performance widening, in particular in the U.K. and Taiwan. Where markets are rapidly migrating from more legacy fixed broadband technology to advanced cable and fiber connections, Wi-Fi performance can lag relative to ethernet, indicating a need to accelerate the adoption of more advanced Wi-Fi technologies.

Older generations of Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5 remain dominant globally

While much of the focus of the device ecosystem is on spurring adoption of the latest Wi-Fi standards, there is a long way to go before even Wi-Fi 6 becomes a dominant standard globally. Based on Speedtest Intelligence data, the proportion of Wi-Fi tests by generation (a good proxy for adoption) shows that Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5 remain the dominant router technology, with Wi-Fi 6 representing just under 10% as of February 2023, and Wi-Fi 7 showing very few samples. The share of samples from Wi-Fi 4 routers has fallen by 6 ppts year-over-year, while Wi-Fi 5’s share of samples has marginally increased.

Asian and North American ISPs lead the charge to Wi-Fi 6 and beyond

ISPs are the main driver behind the adoption of new Wi-Fi standards, as highlighted by a 2022 study by Parks Associates, which found that 52% of U.S. consumers acquired their router from their ISP. Rolling out more advanced routers to their customer bases enables them to take advantage of the increased performance of newer generations of Wi-Fi technology, and helps to ensure ISPs deliver faster speeds, particularly over fiber access networks.

Adoption of Wi-Fi 6 varies by market, even among the most developed fixed broadband markets globally. ISPs in a number of advanced fixed markets have already begun offering Wi-Fi 6E routers to their customer bases, with ISPs in North America in particular moving in this direction, including Bell Canada, Rogers, Telus, Verizon, XFINITY, Charter, and Frontier, as well as leading ISPs in advanced Asian and European markets.

Markets in Asia led the way on Wi-Fi 6 adoption, with China and Hong Kong both recording 42% adoption, followed by Singapore with 37%. Outside of Asia, North America showed the next highest level of adoption, with the U.S. and Canada recording 32% and 30%, respectively. European fixed markets lagged behind, with adoption ranging from 13% in the U.K., to 24% in Sweden. For markets such as Chile, which placed towards the top of the Ookla Speedtest Global Index™ for median fixed broadband speeds, a relatively low-level of Wi-Fi 6 adoption (8% in Q4 2022) signals further opportunity for ISPs in the market to boost performance.

The fastest growing markets, in terms of increasing share of Wi-Fi 6 of Speedtest samples year-over-year in Q1 2023, were Canada and Malaysia (+15 ppts), Singapore (+14 ppts), and Hong Kong (+12 ppts). While there was considerable variance between ISPs within each market, leading ISPs such as SmarTone (Hong Kong), DiGi (Malaysia), and ViewQwest (Singapore), are prompting a competitive response so that even ISPs with lower levels of Wi-Fi 6 adoption are prioritizing the technology and seeing adoption grow steadily.

Country	ISP	Wi-Fi 6 %, Q1 2023
Hong Kong (SAR)	SmarTone	62.4%
Canada	Bell pure fibre	57.3%
Singapore	ViewQwest	53.7%
Singapore	MyRepublic	50.3%
Malaysia	Digi	50.2%
Malaysia	Maxis	49.0%
Hong Kong (SAR)	NETVIGATOR	44.2%
Canada	Rogers	43.4%
Singapore	M1	41.7%
Singapore	SingTel	41.4%
Canada	Telus PureFibre	41.0%
Hong Kong (SAR)	HKBN	41.0%
Canada	Shaw	39.0%
Singapore	StarHub	35.6%
Hong Kong (SAR)	HGC	30.0%
Malaysia	TIME	28.8%
Malaysia	TM	21.5%

In addition to providing newer routers, ISPs are increasingly positioned to help consumers solve Wi-Fi performance issues in the home, such as offering mesh Wi-Fi solutions. For some ISPs, this has even taken precedence over offering newer Wi-Fi 6E routers, as they look to improved coverage within the home as a faster route to improving Wi-Fi performance.

In the U.K., BT has prioritized whole-home coverage over Wi-Fi 6E with its BT Complete Wi-Fi (mesh) offer, despite the U.K. regulator Ofcom having released the lower portion of the 6 GHz band for unlicensed use in 2020. In Canada, Telus, while having recently released a Wi-Fi 6E router for its broadband users, also offers its WiFi Plus package, which includes professional installation and “wall-to-wall coverage” throughout the home. Rogers also offers guaranteed Wi-Fi coverage throughout the home, as well as Wi-Fi 6E routers. Plume offers a subscription-based service, HomePass, across a number of markets, which allows users to add additional access points to help eradicate not-spots or poor Wi-Fi signal within the home and also offers solutions for ISPs looking to improve their Wi-Fi offerings. In Hong Kong, China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK) was the first ISP in the market to offer a fiber-to-the-room service, while it and other ISPs such as NETVIGATOR offer consumers the option to subscribe to multiple channels over fiber with separate IP addresses, allowing them to divide their activities across channels and thereby help avoid congestion.

To capture the full performance benefits of Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, countries must allocate 6 GHz spectrum for unlicensed use, therefore allowing Wi-Fi devices to access this higher frequency, higher capacity spectrum, and utilize wider channels. At present, according to the Wi-Fi Alliance, allocation of the lower portion of the 6 GHz spectrum band (5,925 MHz to 6,425 MHz) is common among developed economies, with some notable exceptions in some developed markets in Asia and Asia Pacific, in particular China, while allocation of the full 6 GHz band is more limited, available across North America and some Latin American markets, as well as Saudi Arabia and South Korea.

Wi-Fi 7 on the horizon as router vendors continue to push the envelope on performance

Wi-Fi performance continues to scale, and with Wi-Fi 7 routers and smartphones having launched in the second half of 2022, that trend is set to continue. In addition to higher throughput, successive Wi-Fi generations also support lower latency, helping to better support higher quality video streaming, cloud gaming, and future use cases linked to concepts such as the Metaverse and other uses of extended reality (XR).

The major silicon vendors, Broadcom, Qualcomm, and Mediatek, were quick to update their solutions to support the emerging Wi-Fi 7 standard, and hardware vendors have followed suit. Chinese vendor H3C was the first to launch with its H3C Magic BE18000 Wi-Fi 7 router in July 2022, and it has since been followed by other major vendors including tp-link, ASUS, and more recently NETGEAR. However, the prices of early Wi-Fi 7 routers that take advantage of Wi-Fi 7’s range of enhanced performance capabilities will be a barrier to entry for many, with tp-link’s flagship Archer BE900 currently retailing at a cost of $699.99.

Speedtest Intelligence data shows minimal Wi-Fi 7 adoption as of March 2023, however we are likely to see the same vendors drive Wi-Fi 7 adoption that are currently leading on Wi-Fi 6. Based on global Speedtest Intelligence samples, we see ASUS leading the market in Wi-Fi 6 penetration, with 39% of samples recorded using Wi-Fi 6 compatible routers. NETGEAR and Belkin followed, but for the remaining major router vendors, Wi-Fi 6 penetration currently stands at close to 10% or below. Wi-Fi 6E remains a small but growing subset of Wi-Fi 6 certified devices, currently standing at 7.7% of products based on the latest Wi-Fi Alliance data. Of these, a majority are either routers or smartphones, with an almost even split between the two.

Smartphone support indicates ISPs should focus on Wi-Fi 6E for now

With Samsung releasing its Galaxy S23 range in February 2023 without Wi-Fi 7 support, and Apple’s latest iPhone 14 smartphones limited to Wi-Fi 6, it’s clear that, for now, ISPs should prioritize the rollout of Wi-Fi 6/6E among their customer bases rather than consider leapfrogging to Wi-Fi 7. The Xiaomi Mi13 Pro was the first Wi-Fi 7 capable smartphone to hit the market, launching in December 2022, although it was limited to Wi-Fi 6E initially, requiring a software update to enable Wi-Fi 7. The availability of Wi-Fi 7 supporting Android smartphones will grow through 2023, enabled by SoCs from leading vendor Qualcomm with its flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and MediaTek with its Dimensity 9200. Apple, on the other hand, lags on the latest Wi-Fi standard support, with the iPhone 14 series featuring Wi-Fi 6, and with its fall 2023 models rumored to be adding Wi-Fi 6E to their feature list.

Samsung, as the leading Android smartphone vendor globally, has the largest installed base of smartphones supporting Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E, and has stolen a march on its main rivals Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo. While the major Chinese smartphone vendors have launched Wi-Fi 7 compatible devices, the lack of assignment of 6 GHz spectrum for unlicensed use in China does appear to have held them back relative to brands such as Samsung and ASUS.

The outlook for Wi-Fi in the home

It’s clear from the gap between Wi-Fi and ethernet performance that ISPs need to do more to improve the customer experience for Wi-Fi users within the home. Part of the solution lies in rolling out more advanced generations of Wi-Fi technology, given Wi-Fi 4 and 5 remain the dominant technologies deployed globally. However, evidence linking increased adoption of Wi-Fi 6 to overall Wi-Fi closing the gap to ethernet performance is mixed, and validates the approach of ISPs looking to also offer mesh networking Wi-Fi solutions. Contact us to find out more about how Ookla Research can help you monitor the performance of your networks, and stay ahead of the competition.

About the author

Mark Giles

Mark Giles heads up Ookla Research™, leading a team of expert analysts in transforming the world's largest repository of network performance data into authoritative insights. Mark is passionate about using data to illuminate the state of global connectivity, in order to advocate for a better, more accessible internet for all.

Linkedin /mark-d-giles

Ookla Research™ Articles

Ookla | February 8, 2023

Latency is the Next Frontier of Consumer Experience. Are You Ready?

Internet service providers and mobile operators have spent decades optimizing their networks to provide the best speeds possible so consumers can achieve seamless connected experiences. However, the internet and how we use it is changing; bandwidth is no longer all that matters for networks operators to deliver on the possibilities that a connected world can offer. While latency has always affected connectivity, latency and responsiveness metrics have become increasingly critical to network operators focused on delivering a superior connected experience and supporting evolving consumer use cases. Read on to learn why latency matters to quality of experience, why you need to consider latency now, and how Ookla® can help you measure what matters most.

Bandwidth is now an economics problem, latency is the new opportunity horizon.

Why latency matters

A 2009 study detailed that every 100 ms of additional latency on Amazon.com, cost the company 1% of revenue. While speed has always been the focus for optimization, since the end user delay was caused by the delay of downloading data assets, now that bandwidth has increased for many people around the globe, the bottleneck for these folks is the time delay between two systems communicating.

Latency is the bidirectional roundtrip time between two endpoints.

Latency matters for every online experience. While best known for gaming, video conferencing, and streaming video, the underlying internet protocols powering modern experiences rely on bidirectional communication to negotiate encryption keys, determine routing paths, and request resources. As a result, the typical request on the internet requires two to five round trip communications between various entities over different latency sensitive protocols (DNS, TCP, TLS, and QUIC/H3).

animation showing 1 round trip vs 2 for various internet protocols DNS, TCP, TLS, QUIC/H3

On a gigabit connection, 500 ms of additional latency dramatically affects the page load time. It can take 7x to load a full webpage when latency is high, as seen in the example below.

In addition to web browsing, video and voice calling needs a latency below 300 ms to provide an acceptable experience. This is a physiological threshold — below 300 ms — where the human brain can manage the delay and not speak over other parties. Above the 300 ms barrier, it’s difficult to maintain a coherent conversation.

Think back to the Amazon example above: You may not be directly losing money when your customers see a slow page load due to high latency, but you are providing a poor network experience that will result in increased customer service costs and churn. In fact, one study from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Akamai concluded “…an increase in the startup delay beyond 2 seconds causes viewers to abandon the video. Using regression, we show that an additional increase of the startup delay by 1 second increases the abandonment rate by 5.8%.” Of course, network operators don’t control the full experience here, and things like CDN location can really affect an end user’s experience, but consumers don’t have visibility into that and the more you can optimize the portions you do control, the less negative feedback you’ll receive.

Latency will matter even more in the very near future

The future of the internet is bidirectional where download and upload communication are necessarily performed simultaneously. Whether AR and VR or self-driving vehicles, this will require dramatic improvements in latency.

animation diagram showing the effects of latency on various internet experiences

How Ookla measures latency

Ookla uses three main measures of latency, each of which helps you understand a specific set of issues.

diagram showing three latency measurements, unloaded latency, multiserver latency and loaded latency

Unloaded latency

Unloaded latency is our classic measure of latency, looking at the time it takes for a bidirectional round trip on the last mile of a connection under no load. This is a best case measure of latency.

Multi-server latency

Multi-server latency measures latency to multiple connections and then takes an average. This is a better representation of a customer’s experience as their connection pulls media and other information from a variety of locations around the internet. Poor multi-server latency can show the need for improvement in peering arrangements and transit. This metric tests to on-net and off-net locations.

Loaded latency

Loaded latency measures latency under a large load. We represent both download loaded latency and upload loaded latency and this metric gives an approximation of how a network performs with poor buffer management or if a background app is using a lot of bandwidth.

Global latency today

Given the importance of latency to consumer experience today, it’s clear that there is much room for improvement in latency at a global level. Investments in better latency will make for major improvements in connected experiences overall, including video calling, internet shopping, and other day-to-day internet activities.

Table showing fixed and mobile latency data for various regions across the world

Latency is key to present user experiences, and will be the defining factor for unlocking future connected opportunities. The first step to improving latency on your network is to have the data to make informed decisions. Look forward to future articles where we dive into how to use this data to identify common areas of latency bottlenecks and optimize your network. If you’d like to discuss how our data can help you improve latency on your network, stop by Booth 2i28 in Hall 2 at MWC.

About the author

Ookla

Ookla® is a global leader in connectivity intelligence that provides consumers, businesses, and other organizations with data-driven insights to improve networks and connected experiences.

Ookla Research™ Articles

Josh Fomon | February 22, 2023

Starlink Resurgence? Speeds Increase in Europe and Oceania

Ookla® is back with exciting, fresh data from Q3 and Q4 2022 for SpaceX’s Starlink and Sky Logic in Europe and Oceania, as well as new Starlink markets we haven’t yet featured in our ongoing series on satellite internet. With the FCC greenlighting Amazon’s Project Kuiper and many other exciting satellite developments launching this year, we’re certain all eyes will be on the sky in 2023 as new orbital connectivity options become available for consumers.

This analysis includes Starlink results from six new countries, and data for Starlink and Sky Logic in Europe and Starlink in Oceania. We also examine how Starlink’s internet performance has changed over the past year in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.

Starlink is mostly speeding up again from Q3 to Q4 2022, but is still slower than a year ago

As Starlink rides the wave of becoming an increasingly popular connectivity option for consumers, we’ve seen the service speed up and then slow down year-over-year in most markets. However, Q4 2022 data shows many countries are experiencing a modest rise in median download speeds when compared to Q3 2022. That’s encouraging for consumers, especially as Starlink hit over 1 million users in Q4 2022, and could be a sign that Starlink seems to be maturing its constellation’s capacity. That’s particularly intriguing as Starlink launches more next-gen satellites, which were first deployed at the tail end of Q4 2022 and will most likely show up in Q1 2023 results.

In Europe, all the countries we evaluated for year-over-year median download speeds were slower for Q4 2022 than Q4 2021 when there were fewer users on each network. Most countries showed between 10-20% slower speeds in Q4 2022 than what users experienced in Q4 2021, including Ireland (at least 11% slower), Austria (at least 13%), Portugal (at least 14%), Italy (at least 15%), Germany (at least 16%), and the U.K. (at least 19%). Users in France saw very similar speeds year over year, with just a 4% decrease from Q4 2021 to Q4 2022, while users in Poland saw a large decrease (at least 56% slower), and users in the Netherlands (at least 21%) and Belgium (at least 28%) saw substantial decrease during the same period.

In Oceania, Starlink year-over-year results were mixed, with Starlink’s download speed in Australia 24% slower in Q4 2022 than during Q4 2021, while in New Zealand it was 4% faster in Q4 2022 than Q4 2021.

Starlink in Denmark and Switzerland had the fastest satellite internet in Europe during Q4 2022

Speedtest Intelligence® reveals there was no fastest satellite provider in Europe during Q4 2022, though Starlink in Denmark (147.52 Mbps) and Switzerland (136.03 Mbps) led the pack for fastest median download speed. In all, Starlink download speeds were faster than 100 Mbps in 10 out of 15 European countries during Q4 2022 — a rise from just five out 15 in Q3 2022.

Starlink outperformed fixed broadband providers over download speed in eight countries, including: Austria (105.67 Mbps), Belgium (104.84 Mbps), Croatia (102.99 Mbps), Czechia (64.67 Mbps), Germany (94.37 Mbps), Ireland (103.39 Mbps), Italy (101.06 Mbps), and the U.K. (96.79 Mbps). Fixed broadband providers were faster than satellite providers analyzed in Denmark, France, Netherlands, and Poland. Results were too close to call in Sweden with fixed providers at 106.73 Mbps and Starlink at 101.83 Mbps, as well as Portugal with Starlink at 108.02 Mbps and fixed broadband at 117.97 Mbps. Skylogic was too close to call between the median fixed broadband speed in Italy at 55.50 Mbps to 59.40 Mbps, and had download speeds faster than 40 Mbps in France (44.46 Mbps) and Sweden (48.09 Mbps).

For upload speeds, every country’s combined fixed broadband providers had faster median upload speeds than every satellite provider, though Starlink in Portugal had the fastest upload speed among satellite providers at 20.86 Mbps. All Starlink upload speeds ranged between 10-20 Mbps except Poland (9.79 Mbps) and Denmark (8.04 Mbps).

Multi-server latency for all satellite providers was higher than fixed broadband providers in every European country in Q4 2022, which ranged from 12.34 ms in Sweden to 23.46 ms in Italy. However, Starlink had a median multiserver latencies of less than 60 ms in the U.K. (53.24 ms), Portugal (56.81 ms), and the Netherlands (58.85 ms). Most latencies were between 60-75 ms, with Poland having the highest latency at 86.46 ms — still low enough to have a good quality of experience and be able to video chat.

Starlink in New Zealand was the fastest satellite provider in Oceania

During Q4 2022, Starlink in New Zealand had the fastest median download speed among satellite providers in Oceania at 124.72 Mbps, followed by Starlink in Australia (106.43 Mbps), and Starlink in Tonga (35.15 Mbps). However, New Zealand fixed broadband outperformed Starlink, while Starlink in Australia outperformed fixed broadband providers. In Tonga, speeds were too close to call.

Speedtest Intelligence shows Starlink falling behind fixed broadband providers for median upload speeds in New Zealand (16.89 Mbps) and Australia (11.38 Mbps), while Tonga was again too close to call.

Multi-server latency was higher over Starlink than fixed broadband in all three countries we surveyed in Oceania during Q4 2022. However, Starlink’s median latency was under 50 ms in New Zealand (48.11 ms), which is a very exciting development for consumers, especially with latency becoming an increasingly important metric. Starlink latency in Australia was higher at 65.52 ms, while Tonga followed at 88.81 ms.

New Q4 2022 Starlink countries show very promising results

Speedtest Intelligence shows the six new countries where we found new Starlink data are off to a roaring start in Q4 2022, which include Bulgaria, Finland, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, and Malta. Starlink had faster median download speeds than the country’s respective fixed broadband providers combined in two countries: Bulgaria (110.76 Mbps versus 65.69 Mbps), and Jamaica (87.43 Mbps vs. 48.34 Mbps), while results were too close to call in the remaining four markets. However, Starlink showed promising 100+ Mbps speeds in Japan (156.94 Mbps), Finland (102.70 Mbps), and Malta (101.36 Mbps).

Median upload speeds for Starlink lagged behind fixed broadband providers in all markets, though Malta was too close to call (20.40 Mbps for Starlink and 20.25 Mbps for fixed broadband). Starlink upload speeds ranged from about 14 Mbps to 20 Mbps in every market.

Consumers and enterprises stand to benefit from satellite developments in 2023

Starlink dominated headlines in 2022 — and for good reason. They’ve gained over 1 million users worldwide, will be available in connected vehicles, planes, RVs, and ships, partnered with T-Mobile to bring Starlink to mobile devices, and launched their second-gen satellites at the end of 2022. But that could very seriously change in 2023 with multiple competitors deploying major offensives in the satellite market. We’ll say it again: there is a new space race for connectivity being waged, and we’re just at the tip of what’s to come.

Here are some major updates about what’s next for various different satellite competitors:

Amazon’s Project Kuiper approved by the FCC

The biggest news concerning satellite connectivity is the FCC approving Amazon’s Project Kuiper constellation, which will include 3,236 satellites in an LEO array. On two fronts, this poses two potential challenges for Starlink: on one hand, Amazon has the global reach, scale, and consumer base that being one of the largest companies in the world provides. On the other, Blue Origin is a direct competitor of SpaceX, and won’t have to rely on the service or other vendors to launch their array into space. Amazon is in a good position to compete and Project Kuiper could become a major player if their prototypes, which will be launched in early 2023, reach speeds anywhere close to competing with broadband internet.

Viasat set to launch Viasat-3 arrays around April 8, 2023

Long-term incumbent satellite internet provider, Viasat, has a big year ahead after years of planning and providing connectivity to remote locations around the world. Viasat is finally set to launch its Viasat-3 array, which aims to provide 1 Terabit per second (Tbps) of network capacity on each satellite, allowing its users to experience 100+ Mbps connections; that’s a huge improvement for the mainly GEO provider. While consumers likely won’t see these results until Q4 2023, we’re very excited to see how Viasat improves its network.

Eutelsat’s merger with OneWeb approved by Eutelsat board, second-gen array being planned

One of the biggest mergers in recent years among satellite providers has jumped a major hurdle and was approved by the Eutelsat board. While the combined entities still have to be approved by shareholders and regulators, this merger could expand both companies’ market share, particularly in India, which has fast become an important satellite market. Furthermore, OneWeb is already planning a second-gen satellite, which they’re aiming to launch in 2025.

European Commission forges ahead on Constellation Iris

The European Union has been working to create its own satellite constellation since 2020, and during November 2022, agreed to a plan to commit €2.4 billion for a third satellite array named Iris, in addition to Galileo and Copernicus. The project, which includes GEO, MEO, and LEO arrays, will help support EU connectivity priorities including the economy, environment, security, and defense, and is hoping to launch in 2024, and be fully operational by 2027.

HughesNet aiming to launch Jupiter 3 array in H1 2023

Incumbent satellite internet provider HughesNet is planning to launch its new Jupiter 3 array in the first half of 2023, which will help expand its network capacity, “doubling the size of the Hughes JUPITER fleet over North and South America.” While the Jupiter 3 array will still be a GEO constellation, the added network capacity will alleviate congested networks and give consumers more bandwidth to use the internet.

Ookla will continue monitoring new satellite internet developments

As 2023 continues to shape up as a pivotal year for satellite internet providers, we’ll be watching the sky to make sure providers are providing the connectivity consumers need. We’ll continue our series next quarter with Q4 2022 and Q1 2023 data from North and South America and any new countries where Starlink launches, and be back with Europe and Oceania data in Q3 2023. In the meantime, be sure to download the Speedtest® app for Windows and Mac computers or for iOS or Android for devices and see how your satellite internet stacks up to our findings.

About the author

Josh Fomon

Josh was a senior content specialist at Ookla.

Ookla Research™ Articles

Karim Yaici | March 19, 2024

Sunsetting Networks in Africa will be Gradual and More Selective Than in Other Regions

We recently examined operators’ plans for sunsetting 2G and 3G networks in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and highlighted the benefits and challenges of phasing out legacy networks. In contrast, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is just beginning this journey, with South Africa leading the way compared to other large markets like Nigeria, as it aims to shut down 2G and 3G by 2027. This article examines the factors contributing to slower progress in SSA and suggests how operators might expedite the transition.

Key Takeaways:

Sunsetting is not yet a priority for most African operators. The shift from 2G/3G to more advanced technologies will be slower in Africa due to economic, social, and infrastructural factors as well as the strong dependence on existing legacy ecosystems. A gradual approach is recommended to maintain digital inclusiveness in Africa.
South Africa is the only country in SSA with an established plan to sunset 2G and 3G networks. Cell Analytics® data shows a large concentration of 2G and 3G users in suburban and rural areas as well as along transportation routes. South Africa plans to decommission these networks by 2027, but most countries, including Nigeria, have not yet set a date. We expect network sunsetting to be in full swing from 2030 onwards.
Operators should strike a balance between driving progress and maintaining the inclusivity of their services. African operators should continue to support and potentially expand their legacy networks to ensure continued access to critical communication services for most of the population while investing in the roll-out of 4G and 5G networks.

Network sunsetting could play a key role in addressing the growing demand for data and spectrum in Africa

More operators are contemplating turning off their 2G and/or 3G networks to refarm their existing spectrum and combine it with other bands to enhance 4G and 5G services, promising faster data speeds, lower latency, and enhanced connectivity. At the same time, operators seek to optimize spectrum utilization as it is a scarce and expensive resource.

Our previous article delved into how decommissioning 2G or 3G networks can boost efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. We also emphasized the importance of careful planning to minimize service disruption and potential financial and reputational damage.

2G and 3G network sunsetting across Africa is evolving very slowly, with no country on the continent having completed the transition yet. This delay in transitioning to newer network technologies has significant implications on the ability of the population to access high-speed internet which is vital for socio-economic development. It is important to explore the reasons behind the slow progress and identify potential strategies to overcome the challenges associated with sunsetting old networks.

3G remains the most prevalent network technology in SSA, but 4G will overtake it by 2027. The GSMA predicts that 3G’s share of connections will fall below 50% in 2025, while 2G adoption will decline under 10%. 4G connections will almost double between 2022 and 2030 to represent nearly half of the total, overtaking 3G by the end of 2027. Continued network upgrades and better device affordability will drive this surge. While 5G adoption will initially be slow, it is anticipated to gain momentum during the second half of the decade, reaching 17% by 2030. This shift will lead to a fourfold increase in mobile data traffic per smartphone by 2028, a higher rate than any other region, to 19 GB per month.

Network sunsetting is more important in SSA because of limited spectrum availability and the rapid growth in demand for faster-speed data services. As regulators released only a small quantity of spectrum, operators resorted to refarming existing spectrum bands to deploy 4G and 5G services. The low-frequency bands occupied by earlier network technologies are valuable due to their excellent propagation characteristics, making them ideal for fulfilling coverage obligations with 4G and 5G.

Network sunsetting in Africa is hampered by the prevalence of legacy infrastructure and the high cost of migrating customers

Many parts of the continent still heavily rely on legacy technology and will continue to do so in the short-to-medium term. This reliance makes the transition to newer generation networks more challenging and costly. In 2023, 3G represented 55% of mobile connections in SSA and is expected to represent a third of total connections by 2030.

This shows that many revenue-generating customers are still on legacy networks. Operators are understandably hesitant to risk service disruptions and incur the significant investment and planning required to upgrade the infrastructure, which will make the transition more challenging and lengthier. Besides, 3G was launched less than a decade ago in several countries. In Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Liberia, some operators have only introduced 3G services since 2019 or later, meaning the network costs have not yet been fully amortized.

In the enterprise sector, Africa hosts millions of machine-to-machine (M2M) devices, some of them in difficult-to-reach geographies or embedded in cars and equipment, making replacement or upgrades challenging. For example, South Africa had 11.5 million M2M connections in Q3 2022, according to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), while Kenya recorded more than 1.5 million M2M connections in Q3 2023.

Despite the expansion of mobile networks in many African countries, coverage gaps persist, posing a connectivity challenge. If operators decide to rush the decommissioning of older networks, they could leave many people losing mobile access, thus widening the digital divide. 2G is particularly suitable for the region’s large rural population because 2G base stations can provide good coverage across large distances. That is why in many African countries, 2G coverage of the population has reached or exceeded 90% while that of 3G and 4G lag behind.

The prevalence of basic and feature phones across the continent is another barrier. Handset compatibility issues with newer technologies and the higher costs of smartphones and data plans represent significant hurdles for low-income populations, complicating the transition process.

Finally, operators may face regulatory challenges when retiring old technologies. Spectrum freed from legacy networks may not be readily available for new networks after the switch-off if it is tied to a specific technology. Repurposing it for modern networks can also be a bureaucratic and time-consuming process.

African operators can adopt different strategies to address challenges that hinder the sunsetting process

The challenges outlined above contribute to the slower rate of network sunsetting in Africa compared to other regions. However, operators can employ various strategies to facilitate the decommissioning process while mitigating the negative impact on revenue and brand.

The decision to sunset one network before another should be informed by market conditions, including the number of customers that use legacy networks, the cost of maintaining their operations, and the dependency of enterprise services on these networks. In either case, it is important to adopt a phased approach to sunsetting, prioritizing areas with higher 4G coverage first, before moving to rural and remote regions. This approach will help to minimize disruption and allow users more time to prepare for the transition.

Operators could encourage subscribers to upgrade to newer devices that support 4G and 5G networks through incentives such as handset trade-in programs or subsidies for low-income individuals. They should couple it with awareness campaigns to educate subscribers about the benefits of newer networks and the steps they need to take to ensure a smooth migration.

Operators should also communicate early about potential service disruptions and the timeline for the switch-off to make the necessary adjustments to their M2M systems. For example, they could offer incentives or subsidies to upgrade to 4G-grade M2M technologies, such as LTE-M, which offer longer usable life, larger operating range, and higher data rates. Offering assistance to enterprises to address any network compatibility and reliability issues during and after the migration is also essential. The regulator should be involved in the discussions around sunset plans as it may require operators to maintain some capacity and coverage for critical IoT infrastructure.

For spectrum reuse, operators should lobby the regulators for technology-neutral licenses, enabling them to use the old spectrum once released. Reducing regulatory constraints and requirements will help to improve network coverage and reduce capital expenditure. A recent GSMA report highlights that countries in Africa that adopted technology-neutral licensing have seen a 30% rise in mobile internet penetration, and a 74% improvement in 4G coverage, in contrast to 24% and 57%, respectively, for countries without such licensing.

Network sunsetting is not yet a priority in Africa given the prevalence of 2G and 3G connections

2G will likely remain important during the rollout of 4G and 5G for years to come because it supports essential consumer services in Africa, including voice, basic information, and mobile money transactions. As 4G provides a much better data experience than 3G, operators will likely consider sunsetting 3G before 2G. We used Speedtest Intelligence’s “Availability” data to get the percentage of users with a service-active device who spend the majority of their time connected to 2G and 3G in Nigeria and South Africa, the two largest markets in Sub-Saharan Africa by revenue. This data is a proxy for the relative penetration of 2G and 3G in these markets. Since customer-initiated Speedtest® measurements require a relatively modern phone, samples reported as 2G or 3G indicate the unavailability of 4G and 5G coverage rather than actual 2G and 3G usage. As such, we rely on this data solely to gauge the relative penetration of 2G and 3G in these markets.

Speedtest Intelligence® data showed that the 2G/3G share of connections has been trending down in Nigeria and South Africa throughout 2023. By February 2024, 3G penetration in Nigeria was at 7.4% and in South Africa at 4.3%, with 2G penetration significantly lower at 0.7% and 0.4%, respectively. This suggests that more subscribers in Nigeria than in South Africa spend the majority of their time on 2G/3G.

According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), 67.6% of subscribers used 2G or 3G as of December 2023. ICASA in South Africa does not publish detailed mobile connection technology data. However, we can estimate that 2G/3G subscribers accounted for around 35-40% of total connections in South Africa at the end of 2023 based on Speedtest Intelligence and NCC data. Since South Africa is the most developed mobile market in SSA, the penetration of legacy networks is expected to be much higher in less developed markets.

Chart of Share of2G and 3G Samples of Total in Nigeria

Chart of Share of2G and 3G Samples of Total in South Africa

Network sunsetting is not yet on the table for Nigerian operators

Nigeria’s journey with 5G began in December 2022 with the auctions for 5G licenses using the 3500 MHz spectrum band. MTN and ISP Mafab Communications emerged as winners. Airtel acquired its 5G license about a year later. MTN launched 5G in September 2022, initially in seven cities, expanding to 300 cities by the end of 2023. Despite this, 5G adoption has been limited, with 4G capturing a growing market share and 5G representing just 1.0% of mobile subscribers by the end of 2023.

This is mainly due to limited 5G coverage, device affordability, and customer demand. ITU’s report shows that while 94% and 87% of the population had access to 2G and 3G coverage, respectively, only 6% could access 5G at the end of 2022. Furthermore, 58% of the urban population had a smartphone at the end of 2022, compared to only 32% in rural areas, according to the GSMA.

Call Analytics® identified areas with 2G and 3G concentration between February 2023 and January 2024 in high-population centers, Abuja, Ibadan, and Lagos. The red dots on the map pinpoint customers connected to 2G and 3G because they have SIM cards not provisioned for LTE (including roamers), lack 4G coverage, or use devices incompatible with 4G.

Map of Areas with 2G/3G Samples for Abuja, Nigeria

Map of Areas with 2G/3G Samples for Ibadan, Nigeria

Map of Areas with 2G/3G Samples for Lagos, Nigeria

Data shows that mobile operators still heavily rely on 2G and 3G networks to provide connectivity across city centers, suburban regions, rural areas, and along transport routes. With the rising cost of living, people are expected to reduce their data usage and continue using 2G and 3G devices due to budget constraints and increasing mobile phone prices. Notably, Nigeria’s annual inflation rate reached a nearly 30-year high of 28.9% in December 2023 due to currency devaluation, reduction of subsidies, and foreign exchange liberalization.

The combination of high living expenses and Nigeria’s extensive geography suggests the full transition to modern networks will be slow and gradual while 2G and 3G networks remain in operation for the foreseeable future. This is evidenced by MTN and Airtel’s renewal of their 2100MHz spectrum license in 2022, primarily for 3G uses while progressing with 5G deployment. An operator can choose to repurpose that spectrum for 4G and 5G in the future or use dynamic spectrum sharing to share it between different technologies.

South Africa plans to turn off 2G and 3G by the end of 2027

Local operators have long awaited the release of new spectrum to enhance 4G services and launch 5G. Faced with this delay, Vodacom and MTN introduced 5G services in May and June 2020 using the emergency spectrum granted by ICASA during COVID-19 and refarming some of their existing spectrum assets on 2G and 3G.

The much-anticipated spectrum auction was finally completed in March 2022 with spectrum bands across 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 2.6 GHz, and 3.5 GHz bands awarded to six operators Cell C, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MTN, Rain, Telkom, and Vodacom.

Cell Analytics’ Service Availability maps show that 2G and 3G remain prevalent in suburban and rural areas of major cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Pretoria. While South Africa leads SSA in 4G and 5G penetration, 3G is still widespread and offers a satisfactory experience for basic use cases like checking the news. 2G is less relevant since it supports mainly voice services but occupies a valuable sub-1Ghz spectrum which could be repurposed for more efficient technologies.

Map of Areas with 2G/3G Samples for Cape Town, South Africa

Map of Areas with 2G/3G Samples for Johannesburg, South Africa

Map of Areas with 2G/3G Samples for Pretoria, South Africa

In light of this, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) proposed a plan in 2022 to sunset 2G and 3G networks to free up spectrum for 5G and future technologies. Initially, the plan aimed to shut down 2G and 3G networks by the end of June 2024 and March 2025, respectively. The DCDT subsequently extended the deadlines twice to give more time for the operators to prepare for the transition. The most recent amendment was in February 2024, scheduling the phase-out to begin in June 2025 and conclude by the end of 2027. It will also include new spectrum auctions, likely to take place in 2024

The revised deadline seems to be more practical, but it still needs to be discussed with all the stakeholders to make sure that the end-users and businesses don’t face any challenges during this transition. The DCDT will allow operators to choose which network to switch off first. Based on operators’ current positions on network retirement, 3G will likely be the first to go:

Vodacom’s initial plan was to end 3G services before 2G, but their latest stance is less definitive. Their decision will significantly impact Cell C, whose contract customers use Vodacom’s network.
Telkom has already shut down most 2G services as they account for less than 1% of its traffic.
MTN suggested that 3G should be shut down before 2G, as migrating 2G devices to 4G will take longer than moving from 3G. This presents a challenge as MTN has the highest proportion of 3G samples in South Africa, (according to Speedtest data) at 6.35% in January 2024 compared to 3.4% for Vodacom and 3.3% for Telkom.

A phased approach to retiring networks, with consideration for affordability and coverage, is essential to maintain digital inclusiveness

The sunsetting of 2G and 3G networks is a global trend, led by developed countries. It promises to bring benefits like faster data speeds, improved connectivity, and more efficient spectrum usage. Yet, Sub-Saharan Africa trails in this transition because of the heavy reliance on legacy networks, the cost barrier to the operators and consumers, and the unequal distribution of new network infrastructure, especially in poorer regions.

2G and 3G networks form the backbone of mobile communications for a large proportion of the population, enabling vital services such as voice and mobile money transactions. Operators thus face the challenge of investing in advanced network rollouts while maintaining and even expanding their legacy networks to ensure everyone has access to communication services.

Using network analytical tools such as Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence and Cell Analytics can provide valuable insights to help prepare for network decommissioning. These tools can track the progress of the switch off, and monitor its impact on network and spectrum usage as well as gauge consumer sentiment, ensuring that the transition to 4G and 5G is as smooth and beneficial.

About the author

Karim Yaici

Karim Yaici is the Lead Industry Analyst at Ookla covering the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. Previously, he directed Analysys Mason's MEA research program, where he was responsible for telecoms forecasts, market reports, consumer surveys, and custom research.

Linkedin /kyaici

From 5G SA to D2D and AI: What Ookla’s Analysts Say About the Year Ahead in Mobile

Learn how Ookla’s data and insights can help you plan, optimize, measure, monitor, and market your superior network.

WISP Report Card: Data Shows Most Fail FCC’s 100/20 Mbps Benchmark

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Wireless ISPs face a growing threat from LEO satellite providers like Starlink that can reach rural users with faster download speeds.

Key Takeaways

The Many Flavors of WISPs

The eight WISPs and their coverage areas

Most WISPs struggle to deliver the FCC’s minimum broadband speeds to their customers

mmWave’s bigger pipe doesn’t always equal faster speeds

Starry

GeoLinks

Etheric Networks

WISPs make the most of mid-band with CBRS licenses

NextLink

Resound Networks

Rise Broadband

Wisper Internet

Unwired

WISPs’ performance is improving but competitive threats lurk

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Mobile Power Play: Strategic Trade-Offs Shaping 5G Network Performance in Japan

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Key Takeaways

SoftBank leads all technologies in median download speed, while Rakuten Mobile achieves highest 5G speeds

Nationwide availability data confirms extensive 4G baseline and differing 5G investment priorities

Disparity in 5G footprint across prefectures

Operators’ 10th percentile 5G performance underscores the urban-rural quality divide

SoftBankが全技術のメディアンダウンロード速度でリード、Rakutenが最高の5G速度を達成

全国的な可用性データは、広範囲にわたる4Gベースラインと異なる5G投資の優先順位を裏付けています

都道府県全体での5Gフットプリントの格差

通信事業者の10パーセンタイル5Gパフォーマンスが、都市と地方の品質格差を浮き彫りに

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Charting Malaysia’s 5G Journey: From Urban Priorities to Nationwide Coverage

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Key Takeaways

Improving Nationwide Connectivity in Malaysia

Steady 5G adoption pushes Malaysia’s mobile download speeds past 100 Mbps

5G Deployment Focus Shifts Toward Broader State-Level Coverage

Rural states show lower 5G Availability but experience faster 5G speeds

Malaysia’s 5G landscape faces new dynamics with the introduction of a second 5G provider

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The Case for Private Networks in India

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The case for 5G in manufacturing

Private networks aren’t new

The many routes to market

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Illustrating the Global Reach of 5G (Poster Download)

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Starlink: Bridging the Digital Divide or Shooting for the Stars?

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Starlink speeds are sometimes a vast improvement, sometimes not

Starlink shows a narrower range of performance in Canada

Starlink latency is up to 486% higher in U.S., 369% in Canada

Starlink meets minimum tier for FCC’s Rural Development Opportunity Fund

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ISPs Need to Do More to Improve Wi-Fi Performance in the Home

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Key messages

Wi-Fi performance continues to lag ethernet within the home

Older generations of Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5 remain dominant globally

Asian and North American ISPs lead the charge to Wi-Fi 6 and beyond

Wi-Fi 7 on the horizon as router vendors continue to push the envelope on performance

Smartphone support indicates ISPs should focus on Wi-Fi 6E for now

The outlook for Wi-Fi in the home

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Why latency matters

Latency will matter even more in the very near future