Changes in global average internet speed

Average broadband speeds during the lockdown dropped by an average of 6.31 percent globally, according to Betanews.

There were more pronounced drops in some regions, particularly Central America (26%), Northern Africa (18%), Asia excluding Near East (16%), South America (16%) and Sub-Saharan Africa (14%). Individual countries whose average internet speeds dropped the most during their lockdown periods were China (51%), Panama (49%), Madagascar (38%), Chile (37%) and Peru (37%).

Western Europe is among the regions with the smallest average drop in measured speeds, with a regional drop of 4% during lockdown periods compared to time outside of lockdowns. There were still big differences between countries though, the UK experienced a relatively insignificant drop of 1.7 percent during its own lockdown period. However, Finland (25%), Netherlands (13%), Austria (10%), Italy (10%) and Norway (7%) experienced significant drops in the average speed recorded.