Connectivity speed test company, Ookla, has released their Speedtest Intelligence data from Q2 2021. Looking at data on 5G performance among neighbouring countries, fastest providers at the country level and performance and fastest providers in Italy’s ten largest cities, the company has found TIM to be the fastest operator.
Ookla’s Speedtest found 5G performance varied widely among Italy’s 5G networks and that TIM was solidly in the lead with a median download speed over 5G of 282.94 Mbps and an upload speed of 24.50 Mbps, during Q2 2021. This 5G speed was 58.3% and 48.4% faster, respectively, than Vodafone 5G’s second-fastest 5G download and upload speeds (178.73 Mbps and 16.51 Mbps, respectively). Iliad was third fastest for 5G download speed and fourth for upload. WINDTRE was fourth fastest for 5G download and third for upload speeds.
Naples has fastest 5G among Italy’s largest cities
When it came to looking at which of Italy’s largest cities has the fastest 5G speed, Naples came out top. Ookla found Naples had the fastest median 5G download speed among the ten most populous cities in Italy at 223.98 Mbps during Q2 2021. Turin was second and Bologna third. Milan, Bari and Rome were a close fourth, fifth and sixth for 5G download speed while Palermo had the slowest 5G download speed on the list at 104.97 Mbps. Median upload speeds were relatively close between cities, although Catania’s 26.62 Mbps placed them far ahead of other cities. Rome had the slowest median upload speed over 5G on this list - TIM was the operator with the fastest 5G in Rome during Q2 2021, showing a median download speed of 270.41 Mbps.
"Italy is clearly capable of impressive 5G speeds."
Ookla.
“Italy is clearly capable of impressive 5G speeds. We’ll be interested to see if other providers make the necessary investments to catch up to TIM. This could bring up speeds across the country and improve Italy’s standing compared to neighbouring countries,” said Ookla as part of their Speedtest statement.
Indeed, Italy was the fourth European country to commercially launch 5G services and is home to a highly competitive market. TIM recently announced a 5G cloud network and WindTre extended 5G dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) to 93% of the country. Furthermore, Vodafone is partnering with Huawei on a 5G RAN network and Iliad has been looking to grow its customer base with aggressive pricing for 5G.
Switzerland has the fastest 5G among Italy’s neighbours
Ookla’s testing also looked at 5G performance in Italy’s neighbouring countries and reported their have been some wild swings over the past year. Switzerland ended Q2 2021 with the fastest median 5G download speed on this list at 177.33 Mbps. France was second (169.16 Mbps), Slovenia third (145.78 Mbps), Austria a close fourth (143.98 Mbps) and Italy fifth (122.54 Mbps).
The Speedtest showed Switzerland was also fastest for median upload speed over 5G during Q2 2021 at 36.37 Mbps. Slovenia was second (25.42 Mbps), Austria third (21.97 Mbps), Italy fourth (16.43 Mbps) and France fifth (15.95 Mbps).
- Why 5G small cells are vital for mmWave 5G
- Get updates on the hottest 5G stocks
- Discover the truth behind 5G dangers
- 5G towers: everything you need to know
