In South Asia, mobile network experiences reveal stark disparities between countries, highlighting the region’s uneven technological development and its impact on daily life.
An analysis by Opensignal emphasizes India’s dominance in mobile network performance, boasting the fastest download speeds in the region at 41.7Mbps, more than double those of its closest competitor, Bangladesh.
India also leads in upload speeds, video streaming quality, and multiplayer gaming, although there is still significant room for improvement across the region in gaming and video experiences.
The disparity is not just in performance but also in the technology underlying these experiences.
Afghanistan and Nepal, for example, continue to rely heavily on outdated 2G and 3G networks, which result in slower speeds and poorer overall service. In contrast, India’s focus on expanding 4G and 5G networks provides a much faster and more reliable mobile experience.
This contrast underscores the varying levels of infrastructure across the region, with countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan utilizing more 3G and 4G networks but still lagging behind India in terms of average performance.
Wi-Fi usage further illustrates the digital divide. Afghanistan, India and Sri Lanka have lower Wi-Fi usage, with users depending more on mobile data due to limited broadband infrastructure. Bangladesh and Pakistan show higher reliance on Wi-Fi, reflecting increasing broadband adoption in urban areas.
Notably, Nepal stands out for its high Wi-Fi usage, despite its challenging geography.
The gap in mobile network experiences is not just a technological issue but a critical barrier to economic development. Access to fast, reliable mobile networks is a crucial lifeline, especially in low-income regions where fixed broadband is often too expensive or unavailable. As such, expanding 4G and 5G access in the region is essential for fostering digital inclusion, improving education and supporting economic growth.
South Asia Politics 