Chart of the week: UAE tops mobile broadband speed globally


Fadah Jassem
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  • Arabic

Demand for fast and reliable mobile internet has become integral to our daily lives, whether downloading 4K videos, immersing ourselves in virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR), playing quality games, or simply staying connected with loved ones. We’ve come to expect smooth, uninterrupted experiences. So, which countries top the charts in this critical mobile service?

According to the Speedtest Global Index, the UAE continues to rank among the world's fastest mobile internet speed countries. Out of 190 countries measured, the UAE currently holds the top spot globally. With median download speeds of 398 Mbps, upload speeds of 27.65 Mbps, and latency at a lightning-fast 19 ms, the UAE offers an exceptional mobile experience.

The UAE is home to two major telecom operators: Etisalat, now known as e&, and du. Based in Abu Dhabi, Etisalat is the UAE’s oldest and largest network provider, having been in business since 1976. With a subscriber base large enough to make it the 18th biggest network operator in the world, Etisalat consistently delivers the fastest speeds in the country, according to Opensignal. On the other hand, du, based in Dubai, has been operational since 2007 and became the UAE’s first provider to roll out 5G services in 2019.

Qatar and the UAE, neighbouring countries with similar infrastructure and broadband adoption, interchangeably took the top spot in 2023 and 2024.

Large projects in broadband and mobile telecoms dating back to 2017 have meant the UAE’s early investment in infrastructure has ensured that it remains at the forefront of the digital landscape, offering one of the world’s best mobile internet experiences.

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

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The specs
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  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
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Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

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Updated: February 28, 2025, 6:14 AM`