According to Ookla’s speed test global index, India’s mobile data speed is ranked 128th in the world. You might be astonished to learn that even Pakistan and Nepal have faster mobile internet than India. In India, the average internet download speed is 11.58 Mbps; however, a 4G connection should deliver 30-40 Mbps.

In fact, consumers in the UAE, Canada, China, Australia, South Korea, and Qatar enjoy speeds of over 60 Mbps. Taking this into consideration, in this article, we will be discussing why the internet speed in India is comparatively slower than in other countries. We will also shed some light on the future of the Internet in India.

Why Is India’s Mobile Internet Speed So Slow?

Being a country with heavy traffic of internet users, it is shocking that we are far behind in terms of speed. Here are some of the major factors that you need to know.

1. The Smartphone Influence

   To begin with, smartphones have changed the way we interact with the internet. As a result, there has been a significant increase in data demand. Users were formerly limited to 1GB of data each day; however, this restriction has since been increased significantly.

   So, who is taking the brunt of it? The users, of course. We’re getting more info to absorb but at a slower rate. The truth is that telecommunications companies are unable to match this high level of consumer demand. In other words, networks are overburdened, which has an influence on the maximum speed of the internet in India.

2. Low Mobile Data Cost

   Another significant factor is the low cost of data. We want unlimited internet on our phone but don’t want to pay a lot of money for it. While low-cost data plans make 4G more accessible to a wider demographic, they also lead to overcrowding and network congestion. As a result, low-quality 4G networks are emerging.

   Furthermore, the low-cost pricing models do not provide enough money for operators to maintain and improve the essential equipment.

3. The Telecom Industry Is In Dire Financial Straits

   Since the telecom industry is in dire financial straits, the mobile carriers appear to be taking their time making the necessary expenditures and infrastructure upgrades. As a result, India’s fiber penetration is very low.

   Experts estimate that the country has over 5 lakh telecom towers, with only about a quarter of them connected by fiber. In fact, the infrastructure in the capital, Delhi, can only fulfill half of the current demand. As a result, a more robust optic fiber network is required to experience quicker internet speeds on the phone.

4. Spectrum Allotment

   Last but not least, spectrum allotment is thought to be a major factor in India’s slow 4G speeds. According to reports, India’s spectrum per operator is low in comparison to other countries, implying a poor spectrum per customer. As a result, 4G network speeds are poor. Because they own the spectrum, mobile companies in this country require government assistance.

Fastest Internet Network In India

Internet access is one of the most basic services we require in today’s environment, whether at home or on the move. India is the world’s second-largest market for mobile subscriptions and the tenth-best broadband provider or connection. Broadband and mobile internet services are offered by a number of different brands on the market.

It also covers the telecom industry, which includes Airtel Broadband, Jio Fiber, and others. In India, some local brands also offer good internet services. In this section, we will be discussing the top internet providers that offer users some of the fastest internet speeds in India.

Airtel Xstream Fibre

Airtel is one of India’s main telecom service providers and the company now has a presence in over 100 cities and is continuing to grow. Airtel Xstream Fibre offers a variety of plans with unlimited data and other benefits, along with a high-speed internet connection.

The brand has already discontinued its ADSL broadband services in favor of Fiber, which is far faster and more reliable. They are one of the top mobile internet service providers in India, as well as the best Broadband provider. Airtel’s broadband internet plan starts at Rs 499 and goes up from there depending on your needs.

Reliance Jio Fiber

Reliance is one of India’s and the world’s most well-known brands. Jio is the greatest provider on our list because it has already launched Fiber broadband services in India. They are also one of India’s leading mobile internet service providers. Their plans start at Rs. 399 and go up as needed, making them amongst India’s top internet broadband providers.

Excitel broadband

Excitel is a reputable internet service provider in India that provides a hassle-free experience. The company offers ultra-high-speed internet at a speed of 100 megabits per second. Different plans are available depending on the needs, such as streaming, downloading, and gaming.

What’s more? Excitel Broadband charges no installation fees for fiber connections and all of their pricing includes all applicable taxes.

BSNL

The original broadband provider in India, BSNL, offers some fantastic and reasonable services. The business provides excellent services at a low cost. Initially, BSNL did not provide unlimited plans, however, now they do. The brand provides the most affordable ADSL broadband plan with improved speed and performance.

The Future Of Internet Network In India

India is making rapid progress in the digital economy. India has reached the pinnacle of its digital transformation. A huge portion of the country accepts digital payments and is unconcerned about video calling. Educational institutions are moving education to the internet in response to the new normal.

People are looking for alternatives to a traditional existence outside of the mainstream. India will have 800 million Internet users by 2023! For data center operators, India is proving to be a lucrative market. With over 560 million internet users, India has overtaken China as the world’s second-largest online market.

The number of people who have access to the internet in India has continually increased. In 2018, India’s mobile internet usage accounted for 29% of the total population. In 2023, it is predicted to rise to 35%, indicating a little growth in mobile Internet users in the country. Due to the Covid-19 epidemic, each user in India utilizes 11GB of bandwidth per month during the lockdown.

Approximately 10% of primary data users, on the other hand, have upgraded their existing Internet packs to unlimited or greater data for online movie streaming, gaming, and other purposes. Despite the fact that rural Internet users outnumber urban Internet users, there is still plenty of space for rural development.

According to telecom analysts, Jio telecom has aided in the growth of India’s mobile Internet users. It has lowered the cost of data per GB to less than half a dollar. Jio has made data more accessible and affordable, allowing a substantial section of the Indian population to access the internet.

The future of India is 5G. Even though many internet operators aren’t in favour, 5G is inevitable, especially since smartphones are being developed to integrate 5G technology.

Bottom Line

Operators may benefit from including experience-focused testing into their overall deployment techniques to see how their network responds to commercial traffic. Even though 5G is still in its infancy, all Indian stakeholders and consumers are optimistic that India will be a leader in this emerging technology. What’s more? The right actions taken now may have a long-term impact on our country’s 5G future.