Testing 5G network speeds: the reality on the ground

5G launches are becoming more widespread, with 47 mobile operators having launched commercial 5G services as of the end of October. 5G adoption continues to rise, but connection figures only tell part of the story. Speedtest® results analysed by Ookla® reveal the connection speeds achieved by users in real-world conditions. Using this data, we find that the US currently has both the fastest mean 5G download speeds and the individual operator to have achieved the highest download speed. All markets we examined saw a material uplift in speeds compared with 4G, but operators must be careful not to over-promise and under-deliver, especially because 5G coverage remains limited, even as adoption begins to accelerate.