Median 5G download performance in these markets typically ranges from 200 Mbps to 300 Mbps.

They typically use Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS), which allows operators to share spectrum between network generations, but it can weigh on performance.

However, they lag behind 5G Leaders based on their level of network densification. These markets share many of the characteristics of 5G leaders, having made an adequate spectrum allocation for 5G use and fostered competition between operators, which has helped spur network investment. In some cases, we see a trade-off between 5G performance and 5G Availability (the proportion of time users with 5G capable devices spend connected to 5G networks). High-performant 5G markets have allocated substantial amounts of spectrum for 5G use, particularly with wide allocations in the coveted C-band, and have assigned and, in some cases, begun limited use of mmWave spectrum. These markets are the 5G pioneers, being among the first to launch 5G services, and are continually pushing the boundaries of 5G performance with median download speeds typically greater than 300 Mbps. We identified four broad clusters of 5G performance as measured by median 5G download speed. Looking at market-level Speedtest Intelligence data, we can see significant variance in median 5G download speeds between the 52 countries we analyzed.

Access to low-band spectrum is just one factor that impacts 5G Availability.

and South Korea, led the 5G global ranking in Q4 2022 with a median download speed of 516.15 Mbps and 511.70 Mbps, respectively.

Operators with access to 100 MHz of contiguous spectrum, e.g., in the U.A.E.

The larger the allocation of the C-band spectrum, the faster the 5G download speed, with the contiguous spectrum enhancing performance further.

5G performance depends heavily on the operator’s 5G spectrum holding.

Based on Speedtest Intelligence® data, we can see a significant variance between countries in median 5G speed, with four broad clusters of 5G performance emerging: 5G Leaders, High Performers, Improvers, and 5G Outliers.

This article will examine the relationship between spectrum and 5G performance.

Most recently, we commented on the state of the worldwide 5G in 2022 and the fastest 5G mobile devices. We have recently written about 5G performance at length, ranked the countries, looked at operators’ 5G strategies, and even commented on consumers’ perception of 5G performance.

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