Ranking the Countries with the Fastest Mobile Internet Speeds
Originally shared on the Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android to discover insightful, data-driven charts from reliable sources.
Mobile internet speeds continue to surge worldwide, with some regions significantly outpacing others. In 2023, the Middle East and Asia lead the charge, while countries like the United States trail behind in mobile download speeds.
Despite the fact that over 1.5 billion new people have come online since 2018, notable disparities remain in mobile internet speeds and data usage between high-income and low-income countries. On average, high-income nations enjoy mobile broadband speeds that are five times faster than those in low-income regions, with high-income countries also generating up to 20 times more mobile data traffic per capita.
This graphic showcases the nations with the fastest mobile internet speeds globally, based on data from the World Bank. Here’s a look at the top 10 countries with the fastest median mobile download speeds in 2023:
| Rank | Country | Median Mobile Download Speed (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Arab Emirates (UAE) | 179.6 |
| 2 | Qatar | 160.3 |
| 3 | South Korea | 138.5 |
| 4 | Norway | 131.2 |
| 5 | Denmark | 123.7 |
| 6 | Kuwait | 119.8 |
| 7 | China | 116.7 |
| 8 | Netherlands | 114.3 |
| 9 | Saudi Arabia | 101.9 |
| 10 | Bulgaria | 97.6 |
The UAE claims the top spot, boasting the world’s fastest mobile download speeds. The country’s rapid advancement in digital infrastructure—initiated in 2012—has been key to this achievement. In fact, mobile internet speeds in the UAE’s capital city have improved nearly 100 times over the past decade. The country’s push to introduce even faster mobile networks will further cement its leadership in the coming years.
Qatar follows closely behind in second place, while South Korea ranks third globally. South Korea’s leadership in mobile internet is driven by an extensive fiber-optic network that spans over 1.5 million miles, making it a powerhouse in terms of both speed and coverage.
In Europe, Norway and Denmark stand out with some of the continent’s fastest mobile internet speeds, a trend that’s been consistent for several years. In contrast, countries like Ireland and Spain continue to face slower internet speeds compared to their northern European neighbors.
When it comes to the United States, it lags behind, ranking 18th in the world for mobile download speeds. A major factor contributing to this slower pace is the country’s telecom industry, where monopolistic practices limit competition and slow down progress in both speed and affordability. Additionally, mobile data prices in the U.S. are far higher than in other high-income nations. For instance, the cost of one gigabyte of data in the U.S. is at least seven times more expensive than in countries like Spain, China, France, and Brazil.
These findings highlight the growing digital divide between countries with robust telecom infrastructures and those struggling to keep up. As the world continues to connect more people to the internet, the speed and affordability of mobile networks will play a crucial role in bridging this gap.
Read More News:
Israeli Airstrikes Strike Yemen’s Sanaa Airport, Escalating Regional Tensions