India has emerged as a global player in internet speed rankings, securing the 18th position in Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index for January 2024. The surge in rankings is attributed to the widespread implementation of 5G technology across the country, a move driven by significant investments from telecom giants like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
5G Propels India Up the Global Speed Ladder
The 5G rollout in India, deemed the fastest in the world according to government officials and telecom operators, has drastically improved the median download speeds for Indian consumers. With telecom operators offering 5G at no additional cost compared to 4G plans, data consumption has witnessed a sharp increase, contributing to India’s upward trajectory in global rankings.
Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index, a monthly performance report, serves as a benchmark for countries based on their median download speeds. In the latest report, India secured the 18th position, marking a three-rank jump from the previous month. Given this momentum, experts anticipate India’s potential entry into the top 10 list, with Iceland currently holding the 10th position at 126.74 Mbps, while India achieved a median download speed of 99.03 Mbps in January 2024.
Impact of 5G on India’s Ranking
Prior to the introduction of 5G in September 2022, India languished at the 188th position in Ookla’s ranking, with a median download speed of 13.87 Mbps. The transformative impact of 5G is evident as India now stands at the 18th spot, showcasing a remarkable increase to 99.03 Mbps. Despite this surge, a significant portion of the population is yet to experience 5G, hinting at the potential for further improvement in rankings as more users adopt the high-speed service.
Challenges in 5G Adoption
While India enjoys the benefits of high-speed 5G networks, a major challenge lies in the absence of substantial use cases for consumers and telecom operators. The current lack of impactful applications limits the transformative potential of 5G in people’s lives. The government, academia, and industry stakeholders must collaborate to identify and develop use cases that not only enhance consumer experiences but also allow telecom operators to monetize their 5G networks effectively.
