Ookla’s Q1 and Q2 reports on the World’s Fastest 5G Network and World’s Fastest Mobile Network show that Viettel ranks among the top three fastest mobile networks globally, while VinaPhone holds second place for 5G speed.
In the category of Fastest Mobile Network, Viettel scored 82.56 points, ranking third globally. The top two are e& from the UAE (88.05 points) and Ooredoo from Qatar (87.05 points). Viettel outperformed Singapore’s Singtel (82.53 points).
In the Fastest 5G Mobile Network category, VinaPhone ranked second with 78.11 points, while e& from the UAE led with 81.94 points.
Responding to VietNamNet at a Ministry of Science and Technology press conference, Nguyen Phong Nha, Deputy Director of the Telecommunications Authority, said Vietnam’s mobile internet speed, as reported by Ookla, has significantly improved and reached the global top due to three factors.
First, after receiving frequency band licenses, network operators have expanded 4G and 5G coverage.
Second, Vietnam discontinued 2G services, thus reducing some data services.
Third, Vietnam is phasing out 3G technology, leading to fewer 3G-dependent data devices.
These steps have enabled operators to upgrade equipment and services, enhancing user experience.
According to Ookla’s announcements on LinkedIn and its website, Viettel received the “World’s Fastest Mobile Network” award, one of the most prestigious and competitive categories in the Ookla Speedtest Awards.
This achievement is based on a comprehensive Speed Score, with Viettel earning 82.56 points, reflecting top-tier network quality.
The ranking places Viettel on par with globally renowned telecommunications companies, such as e& of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ooredoo of Qatar, which are carriers from countries with the most developed economies and technologies. Additionally, Viettel outperforms other powerful carriers, including Singtel of Singapore and SK Telecom of South Korea.
The core distinction and credibility of Viettel’s “World’s Fastest Mobile Network” award lie in Ookla’s comprehensive measurement methodology.
As defined by Ookla, this award evaluates network performance across all mobile technologies (3G, 4G, and 5G) using devices with modern chipsets.
This means that Ookla measures the entire user connectivity journey, from urban centers with high-speed 5G to suburban and rural areas with 4G, and even regions where 3G still maintains connectivity.
This metric most accurately reflects the daily experience of most users, who move constantly with devices automatically switching between network technologies.
A truly robust network isn’t just about high 5G speed at some selected test points but consistent, seamless, high performance across all platforms and scenarios.
Ookla’s rankings are built on millions of user tests via the Speedtest app, calculating Speed Score based on three factors: download speed (70 percent), upload speed (20 percent), and latency (10 percent).
The “World’s Fastest 5G Network” is determined by Speed Score in the first and second quarters, collected from real 5G-connected devices.
For the “World’s Fastest Mobile Network,” Ookla collects data from tests on devices with modern chipsets.
Operators must account for at least 3 percent of total samples in the region and have won a national Speedtest award in the same period to be eligible for regional or global awards.
Prior to that, according to a February report by iSpeed, an official internet speed measurement platform operated by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Viettel led with an average 5G speed of 226.27 Mbps, followed by VinaPhone at 157.17 Mbps. Vietnam’s average 5G speed reached 187.58 Mbps.
Target of 20,000 5G base stations nearing reality
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Duc Long stated that to accelerate 5G development, the ministry has required telco carriers to deploy the number of 5G base stations equivalent to at least 50 percent of 4G stations by 2025.
It is expected that by the end of 2025, Vietnam would have 68,457 5G base stations, equivalent to 57.5 percent of 4G stations, covering 90 percent of the population and reaching 99 percent by 2030.
Nguyen Anh Cuong, Deputy Director of the Telecommunications Authority, said to create motivation and encourage telecommunications enterprises to quickly cover 5G by 2025 with 20,000 5G base stations, the Government has introduced a policy that will support 15 percent of the cost of investing in 5G equipment.
After the incentive was announced, Viettel and VNPT have registered to attend the program to expedite nationwide 5G coverage. Viettel Telecom has confirmed they will deploy 20,000 5G base stations as committed in 2025.
Thai Khang