Vietnam has officially entered the global top 40 for both mobile and fixed broadband speeds, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital infrastructure development.
According to the latest Ookla Speedtest rankings, Vietnam’s average mobile Internet download speed reached 86.96 Mbps in December 2024, the highest ever recorded and a 60% increase from September 2024. This impressive growth propelled Vietnam up seven places from the previous month to 37th globally in mobile network speed.
For the first time, both Vietnam’s mobile and fixed broadband networks have secured positions in the top 40 worldwide. Fixed broadband speeds, which had already entered the rankings in June 2024 with 136 Mbps, have now risen to 159.32 Mbps, placing Vietnam 35th globally in this category.
Data from the Vietnam Internet Network Information Center (VNNIC) shows that mobile Internet speeds currently average 67.85 Mbps, while fixed broadband reaches 130.91 Mbps. Despite these advancements, a considerable gap remains between download and upload speeds, with average upload speeds hovering around 25 Mbps, as measured by both VNNIC and Ookla.
5G Expansion Drives Speed Surge
The rapid improvement in Internet speed coincides with the commercial rollout of 5G services by domestic telecom providers. Over the past three months, 5G coverage has expanded, significantly boosting mobile connectivity.
Leading telecom provider Viettel reported in mid-December that 70% of subscribers in 5G coverage areas—equivalent to 4 million users—have adopted the new-generation network. Meanwhile, VNPT launched its commercial 5G service on December 20, operating on the 3,700–3,800 MHz band. Speed tests conducted by users have recorded 5G download speeds between 1.5 and 1.9 Gbps, more than 10 times faster than 4G networks.
Government Targets Nationwide 5G Coverage by 2025
Vietnam’s Digital Infrastructure Strategy, approved in October 2024, sets ambitious goals for 5G expansion. By 2025, all provinces, cities, high-tech parks, IT hubs, R&D centers, innovation zones, industrial parks, major seaports, and airports are expected to have full 5G coverage. By 2030, 99% of Vietnam’s population will have access to 5G mobile broadband.
Vietnam Outpaces Global Averages
Vietnam’s Internet speeds now exceed global averages. According to Ookla’s latest data, the global average download speed is 62.79 Mbps for mobile networks and 96.45 Mbps for fixed broadband, both of which are lower than Vietnam’s current speeds.
At the top of the global rankings:
- UAE leads in mobile Internet speeds, reaching 453.87 Mbps
- Singapore dominates fixed broadband, boasting 330.98 Mbps.
Vietnam’s rapid ascent in Internet speed rankings reflects the country’s ongoing investment in digital transformation and telecommunications infrastructure, positioning it as a rising player in the global digital economy.
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Source: Vietnam Insider