Nepal Continues to Improve Fixed Broadband Speed

Nepal has continued to improve its fixed broadband speed. Currently, Nepal’s average download speed has increased to 40.50 Mbps on fiber broadband, Ookla’s February 2022 global speed index shows. Besides, Nepal has also improved its rank in mobile broadband.

In the last index from December 2021, Nepal’s average download speed was 40.37 Mbps and clinched 79th. But despite the increase in download speed, the position has seen its rank slump by 3 positions to 82^nd. Likewise, Nepal’s fiber broadband recorded 38.53 Mbps upload and latency of 5 ms.

On the other hand, Nepal’s average download speed in mobile broadband has also improved. Now, it ranks 108^th with a 16.25 Mbps download speed. The upload speed and latency stood at 10.34 Mbps and 23 ms respectively.  

Read: Fiber Internet Users in Nepal Approaching 1.8 Million

Nepal’s Fixed Broadband Speed Among SAARC

Fixed Broadband speed among SAARC saw minor changes in Ookla’s latest data with all the countries staying at similar positions from the previous standings. India, which maintains the pole position clocked 48.14 Mbps download speed and ranked 1^st in SAARC. The largest country in South Asia stands 70th in the Global ranking.

Nepal maintains its second rank but with an increased speed of 40.50 Mbps and ranks 82nd globally. Similarly, Bangladesh clocked 31.28 Mbps, a slight improvement from the previous data. The country gets 98th rank globally in the fixed broadband speed index.

Sri Lank averaged 20.22 Mbps download speed and ranked 4^th while staying unmoved at 113^th in the global index.

Countries	Download Speed (Mbps)	Rank in SAARC	Rank in Global Index
India	48.14	1	70
Nepal	40.50	2	82
Bangladesh	31.28	3	98
Sri Lanka	20.22	4	113
Maldives	12.53	5	136
Bhutan	9.79	6	144
Pakistan	9.40	7	151
Afghanistan	1.63	8	180

Bhutan follows towards the bottom of the table with countries having below 10 Mbps download speed. The country clocks 9.79 Mbps in fixed broadband speed and ranks 6^th in SAARC and 144^th globally. Pakistan follows at 7^th with 9.40 Mbps and ranks 151 globally. Afghanistan rests at 180^th globally and 8^th among SAAR siblings. It is the only country with below 2 Mbps downloads speed at 1.63 Mbps.

The best and the worst in SAARC

As the table highlights, there are two countries with 40+ Mbps download speed among the SAARC nations. While Bhutan and Pakistan still struggle to reach 10 Mbps speed. Afghanistan meanwhile, is the worst performer with a meager 1+ Mbps speed. The country also ranks last in the global fixed broadband speed list.

Also read: Best Internet Service Providers ISP in Nepal

Internet Speed War Begins Showing Effect

The improvement in Nepal’s fiber broadband speed is attributable to the internet speed war. Ever since CG Net’s 120 Mbps package, it has caused a major stir in the ISP market. Major ISPs have begun offering 3 digits speed plans at the base. This has likely increased fixed line speed and will continue to in the future.

Further, Nepal has also got two ISPs, WorldLink and Classic Tech launching 1 Gbps internet speed with Mesh WiFi systems. The erratic internet war frenzy has now caught the attention of telecom regulator NTA which has called on ISPs to refrain from unnecessary speed war. But we believe, it is only going to reach new milestones.

What’s the speed you are getting from your subscription? Are you satisfied with it or plan to upgrade? Do share in the comments below.