The 5G Olympics: Where are the fastest next-gen networks?

The current 5th Generation of mobile device networking is unfolding faster than ever, promising download, upload, and latency speeds 10 to 100 times faster than the current 4G network. The Coronavirus pandemic didn't impact the 5G networks' rapid deployment throughout the United States and several countries in Europe. Meanwhile, many countries in other regions are announcing “trial” rollouts of 5G or investment plans for such networks.

The speed of 5G networks is exciting for users - especially gamers, who need much faster speeds to use their mobile device in games and competitions effectively.

However, 5G also has many commercial, industrial, and sectoral applications that will be advantageous to society more broadly. Manufacturing, healthcare, utilities, and the Internet of Things (IoT) - all these fields will benefit from 5G technology.

In particular, healthcare will see advances in telemedicine, remote patient recovery and care, and, some suggest, remote precision surgery in the near future, all from super-fast 5G technology.

We've collected all of the available information about 5G deployment throughout the world. The deployments include both those existing already and those that are just on the verge of deployment.

We’ve done this for two reasons. One is to give news outlets a ready source of reference information to help their readers and followers advance to 5G technology by having a database of what to expect from it. The other is to give investors detailed information to compare regional and country opportunities in the 5G carriers hustling to set up deployments in locations around the world.

True Speed VS. Top Speed

Current 5G networks promise speeds of up to 1GB per second (1Gbps), and trials show such speeds could almost be reached in the field. But most 5G users won't get 1Gbps, or even come close. This is because of the difference between Top Speed and True Speed.

Top Speed is the best possible speed a user can achieve within a network, in optimal connection, with no range or traffic load issues, using an optimal device.

True Speed is what users actually get. These speeds are far better than the local 4G network average, but not 10 times faster, as promised. Actual 5G speeds are affected by several factors, including the following:

• The number of users sharing a 5G connection. The more users, the slower the actual speeds.
• The type of mobile device you use. High-end 5G phones have a greater signal capacity or offer specific apps whose design will affect the signal speed.
• The type of radio frequency spectrum that a carrier offers. Some radio frequency technologies enable carriers to bring 5G capabilities to more locations, while others enable them to offer higher download speeds to fewer locations. (Both technologies are evolving to offer similar speed and connection capabilities).
• 5G technology. The terminal equipment that receives the signal (i.e., base stations and hotspots) suffers teething issues in many cases.

While carriers can simulate real-world limitations with ease, they all strive to show the best performance to attract users. As a result, their declared speeds can't be trusted as completely unbiased.

Independent testing platforms have a better chance of reflecting True Speeds, but their findings are based on surveys and opinions from people who installed their apps. Most of these platforms won't display their full testing details, but SpeedTest does: it undertook 4.3M tests in Q3 2020.

These tests were focused on Download Speeds. Upload Speed is also important – mostly for corporate implications, gaming, and future implications such as AI, automotive industries, etc. However, it’s not tested as often.

This report is focused on download speeds, as this is the primary data point available for testing.

1. The Best 5G Networks in December 2024

According to SpeedTest field research, the world's current Gold Medalist in speed is the United Arab Emirates, with a network speed of 959.39Mbps. Silver goes to Saudi Arabia (921.11Mbps) and Bronze to Norway (865.57Mbps). Even though it has less methodology data available, OpenSignal field research is also included here for your consideration.

While important, speeds won't be relevant for most users without regional coverage. For example, Saudi Arabia has only 69 regional nodes, of which 18 are within Mecca and the capital Riyadh. Most of the country isn't covered and has to settle for 4G networks. The U.S. has the best coverage, with over 8,050 regions.

Source: nperf

The next table shows coverage per square kilometer and population. While most countries’ populations are concentrated within a few large metropolitans, full coverage outside these areas will enable users to enjoy the fastest speeds everywhere within the state's borders. Here, the leader is Austria; its 5G network has fewer users per region, enabling better growth potential and reliability.

Some nations made more efforts to help local carriers push 5G forward to achieve faster adoption. Currently, China has the widest adoption, with 18.9% of all measured mobile results at Ookla. The second place goes to South Korea, and the third to Hong Kong.

Next, we'll take a look at the spread of 5G networks by world regions.

This element has geopolitical importance, as rival superpowers are contesting their 5G technology. This advanced technology will boost economies and enable unprecedented growth. The fast growth of U.S carrier deployment gives North America the first place, with Europe close behind. While China has declared impressive 5G growth plans for the near future, the rest of Asia isn't as diligent, which leaves this region in third place.

2. Worldwide 5G Network Breakdown

The data presented here is based on field tests, carrier available information, and tools by Ookla, Speedtest, nPerf, Opensignal, and others. While gathering and analyzing the data, we've noticed the numbers in several countries weren't consistent enough, due to network performance fluctuations. Our research showed the reasons are deployment testing and teething issues.

The deployment has different status options:

• Commercial Availability (CA) - 5G network exists, and users can subscribe to a plan and enjoy the network's fastest speeds within covered regions.
• Limited Availability (LA) - 5G network exists, but plans/devices are available only for a limited set of customers (say, for doctors or government officials).
• Pre-Release (PR) - 5G network hardware exists, but rollout is awaiting tests, trials, or consumer plans/devices.

North America

The United States is a dominant player in 5G deployment, including those from its four major carriers: T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and U.S. Cellular. However, Mexico has been slated for 5G investment in 2020 by America Movil. While Canada is lagging behind for its size, its carriers provide some of the world’s fastest mobile download speeds. Canada is planning more 5G rollouts, but at a steady pace.

Europe

Europe has the most countries with 5G deployments in the world and some of the highest deployment ratios per population and square kilometer.

Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands are at the head of the pack, but several other countries also have impressive 5G coverage. Three countries to keep an eye on are France, Spain, and Italy, with multiple Pre-Release locations that are probably just the start of rapid deployment in those countries.

Asia

South Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan dominate 5G location deployment and mobile-download speeds in the region. However, Thailand also offers extensive 5G location coverage. And another country in Southeast Asia, Vietnam, has several 5G locations in the Pre-Release stage, with others on the horizon. The Philippines offers a good amount of 5G locations for its land area. But one country to keep an eye on is Singapore, with 25 Pre-Release locations, delivering a solid concentration of coverage for its size.

South America

The region is a slow starter in 5G deployment. However, it’s picking up steam, with Brazil and Colombia being part of an America Movil investment package (along with Mexico) of $8.5 billion starting in 2020. South America may be good for investment, since most of the region’s countries do have some type of 5G deployment, with several carriers interested in more of a presence.

Middle East

5G deployment has been dominated by the Gulf States, with Kuwait taking the lead, but other countries, such as Oman, follow closely behind. With 5 current deployments, Israel has several other planned expansions of its 5G coverage in the immediate future.

Africa

Africa has a long way to go to reach the 5G summit, with some of the worst stats for this technology's deployment throughout the world, as well as some of the worst download speed rankings. In Northern Africa, according to 5G World, the plan is basically to “focus on cementing 4G LTE services for the first half of this decade... rather than invest heavily in 5G.” In Sub-Saharan Africa, countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Gabon, and Uganda are showing signs of 5G deployment. But only South Africa has any significant 5G activity. Most of the other countries in Southern Africa aren’t even listed on mobile download speed lists.

Central America and the Caribbean

The region lags behind all others in 5G deployment. However, Costa Rica may soon start changing the face of 5G deployment in Central America. But other than Puerto Rico (a U.S. Territory with 201 5G deployments), Caribbean countries don’t seem to be equipped for 5G deployment. (Trinidad and Tobago, the southernmost island Caribbean country, does offer 3 Limited Availability locations.)

Oceania

Australia and New Zealand are the only two countries in Oceania that have 5G deployments thus far. Still, there are active investments in 5G networks in Papua New Guinea that will lead to deployments in the near future.

World Coverage: Who Invests in 5G?

While the data you've seen so far show a snapshot of existing 5G deployment, nations always look forward and plan on growing their current infrastructure. This infographic shows the current state of deployment and development by general regions.

Numerous governments have made extensive commitments towards 5G development, setting lofty targets often without substantial progression. Factors causing this may range from political constraints to economic and technological limitations. However, our study has identified the countries with the most vigorous investments and ongoing 5G initiatives. These are the nations worth watching, as they are poised to rapidly advance their network deployment in the upcoming period.

Technology: Not all 5G Networks are Equal

5G technology is built on radio waves technology, and it relies on two types of radio wave spectrum - Sub-6 and mmWave.

Sub-6 operates at a frequency below 6Ghz allowing radio waves to travel long distances and pass through building walls and similar obstacles. The mmWave consists of UHF radio waves from 30Ghz to 300Ghz. It doesn’t travel as far and has less penetration, but it is super-fast and simply requires more base stations or deployment locations.

mmWave can process a huge amount of data among a large volume of users simultaneously - ideal for densely populated cities, as well as venues like stadiums and arenas. Sub 6 can also handle the same mmWave speeds as its technology evolves, so the two technologies are competitive.

The United States has more 5G deployments than every other country on the planet combined. Its three dominant carriers - AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile - have adopted a mix of these two technologies to provide 5G coverage.

However, T-Mobile got a quick start by retrofitting its existing towers with Sub-6 technology, so it now offers an extensive network of rural, suburban, and urban 5G locations in the United States, way beyond those of AT&T and Verizon. However, AT&T and Verizon have made hundreds of mmWave deployments through major U.S. cities, so their networks can claim that they have the highest 5G speeds in the country.

This difference in approaches is important as you check out the major global deployment table to find out which carrier has chosen which approach: offering 5G coverage throughout the country, or just in metropolitan areas.

FAQ

What does 5G mean?

G is short for 5th Generation wireless networks. These networks have greater bandwidth than previous technologies, which enable download speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second. Such bandwidth will also allow fixed replacement for cable-based internet connection. Every device can be connected wirelessly, without digging into walls or deploying residential modems. Such technology will also enable delivering high-speed data streams for autonomous vehicles, drones, online medical services, and countless other industries. Nations compete for 5G deployment and 5G-tech superiority, creating a major revolution in years to come.

Will 5G work on 4G Phones?

No. 5G networks have their own communication protocols and bandwidth, which require a designated network adaptor. Most smartphone makers have already launched 5G-supported models, and while these phones tend to be more expensive than regular models, their price is dropping fast. 5G phones can run smoothly on 4G networks if the network frequency is supported.

Which country have the fastest Network?

As of December 2024 the fastest 5G networks are in the UAE, with a download speed of about 959.39Mbps. The coverage is not the best, and most of the country doesn’t have 5G nodes yet, but the situation is changing quickly, and many nations are testing faster networks all the time.

Bottom Line

As the data shows, 5G deployment is moving full steam ahead and shows no signs of slowing down. The leaders in fields like download speeds, pricing, coverage are bound to change, and the competition will surely benefit consumers and enterprises alike. One thing is shadowing 5G networks’ bright future: the economic impact of 2020's global Coronavirus pandemic. While the end of the year showed no impact on worldwide 5G deployment, experts still can't predict 2020's full effect. vpnMentor's team will keep monitoring the market and let you know where you can find the best networks with the latest technology.