Kazakhstan Outpaces Japan in Mobile Internet Speed Performance
In a surprising turn of events, the Speedtest Global Index for December 2024 has revealed that Kazakhstan has surpassed Japan in mobile internet speed. This shift is primarily attributed to rapid advancements in Kazakhstan's telecommunications infrastructure and investments in modern technology.
While Japan's mobile network improvements have been more incremental, the United Arab Emirates holds the top position in median download speed, with Qatar ranking second and Kuwait third. Interestingly, the Speedtest Global Index does not provide city rankings for Japan, Kazakhstan, or any other countries mentioned.
However, Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, ranks 63rd among 160 cities in terms of city rankings for mobile internet speed. Astana, the country's capital, follows closely at 71st. In terms of country rankings, Kazakhstan ranks 57th globally in mobile internet speed, while Japan ranks 58th.
Kazakhstan's commitment to upgrading its broadband and mobile networks, including partnerships with international companies and development of new infrastructure, has contributed to faster median mobile download speeds. This rapid progress suggests that Kazakhstan has effectively deployed faster mobile networks and improved coverage and speeds in recent months.
The Speedtest Global Index, compiled by Ookla, reflects median speeds, which can be significantly influenced by recent network improvements, spectrum allocation, and adoption of new mobile technologies like 5G. This shift in rankings suggests that Kazakhstan's mobile networks have been improving at a faster pace than Japan's.
It's worth noting that the Speedtest Global Index does not provide specific data on fixed broadband speed for Almaty or Astana. In terms of fixed broadband speed, Kazakhstan ranks 88th globally.
This development is consistent with emerging countries making significant strides in network infrastructure efficiency and adoption of latest technologies, sometimes overtaking countries with older, more established but less aggressively modernized systems. While the specific reasons for the December 2024 ranking are not provided in detail, Kazakhstan's active development of its digital infrastructure, including improving broadband and mobile internet capabilities, seems to have played a crucial role.
For example, Kazakhstan has made strategic partnerships in railway and industrial infrastructure that often align with broader modernization efforts, including telecommunications. In contrast, Japan’s mobile internet, while reliable and widely accessible, tends to have slower average speeds compared to newly upgraded networks in countries rapidly advancing newer technologies.
This news underscores the importance of continued investment in telecommunications infrastructure and technology to maintain a competitive edge in the digital age.
Data-and-cloud-computing advancements possibly contributed to the rapid advancements in Kazakhstan's telecommunications infrastructure, enabling the country's technologies to progress at a faster pace than Japan's. Despite Japan's reliable mobile internet, Kazakhstan's investments in technology and infrastructure have led to improved mobile networks and speeds in recent months.
