Ireland’s Fixed Broadband Score Ranks in Top 20% of the World, Mobile Scores not as Favorable

By Ben Naumann

Ireland’s Fixed Broadband Score Ranks in Top 20% of the World

Results from a worldwide internet speed test conducted in May of 2019 reveal that Ireland finished 34th out of the 178 countries that participated, a 3 ranking improvement from a test conducted around the same time in 2018. The test measured both the upload speed and download speed in Mb per second of fixed broadband in each country.

Ireland had a download speed of 70.61 megabytes per second and an upload speed of 21.90 megabytes per second. Interestingly enough, the download speed of 70.61 Mbps is well above the global average of 59.60 Mbps. However, Ireland’s upload speed of 21.90 Mbps was actually slightly below the global average of 28.55 Mbps.

The reason for such a great disparity between upload speeds and download speeds is simply because users do not upload nearly as many files as they download. Therefore, internet providers don’t split the bandwidth evenly in both directions. Instead, they favor the download speeds, making them significantly faster.

Mobile Scores not as Favorable

The experiment conducted by Ookla also tested the mobile download and upload scores of each country. Unfortunately, Ireland did not fare as well in the mobile category on a global scale. Finishing 67th in the world, Ireland decreased 1 spot in the rankings from last years measurement.

Scores Explained

If you’re wondering why the fixed broadband and mobile rankings are so different, it’s because they are controlled by entirely different entities.

Fixed broadband scores are dependent on the quality of “internet infrastructure” that a country has in place, usually installed by internet providers. Typically, more developed countries have had greater network improvements and have more “internet infrastructure” (like Fiber Optic Cables) in place, which facilitates a better connection. Other geographic factors for fixed broadband speed include population density, as well as the level of competition between service providers in your area.

Mobile internet scores are dependent on infrastructure like cell towers, which are typically built by mobile phone service providers. Though 3G covers the majority of Ireland, 4G coverage is weak or non-existent in a variety of locations, reducing the average download speed for the entire country.

How Ireland Matches Up With its Neighbors

Irish citizens will be elated to know that they finished faster than England, whose average download speed reached around only 62 Mbps. Additionally, Ireland finished far ahead of Scotland. However, that is not as impressive as an achievement, considering Scotland, according to this source, is the slowest country in the UK by far.

Other World Internet Variables
We have already analyzed the world internet speed rankings, however, there are actually many more variables of internet around the world that can be compared. This will come as great news to some and terrible news to others, but the country you reside in also will determine how much you are paying for internet connection.

Again, largely due to internet infrastructure, population density, and competition in the area, internet providers can charge as much or as little as they want, with minimal regulation. For instance, in Africa, a customer could be paying as much as €450 for one month of comparably slow internet. That is about 25x the cost the average customer pays in most parts of Asia! Fortunately for Ireland, the average price right now is only about €43 per month.

Internet Speeds Around the World Infographic

To learn more about the evolution of internet access, internet speeds, and internet costs around the world, check out the infographic below by GPU Nerd.

 

By Ben Naumann Contributor at gpunerd.com

Ben is a contributor at gpunerd.com. His interest with all things Tech began with the acquisition of his first handheld device, a Gameboy Advanced. Since then, the world of technology has advanced immensely around him. Ben keeps up by reviewing the latest tech, gaming, and hardware news.

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