India 5G test download speeds hit 500 mbps: Ookla

Download speeds on the 5G test network in India have reached 500 Mbps, with Reliance Jio leading with 598.58 Mbps while rival Bharti Airtel clocking 197.98 Mbps in Delhi, according to the latest data by internet testing firm Ookla. The analysis showed that telecom operators have been testing their networks before the October 1 launch, and 5G download speeds range from 16.27 Mbps to 809.94 Mbps, which indicate that telcos are still recalibrating their networks.

"We expect these speeds to be more stable moving forward as these networks will enter the commercial stage," said Sylwia Kechiche, principal industry analyst, enterprise at Ookla.

Ookla recorded 5G download speeds in four metros - including Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Varanasi - since June 2022. Airtel fell behind Jio in Mumbai, with a median download speed of 271.07 Mbps while the latter had a faster speed at 515.38 Mbps. In contrast, the duo's speeds varied most in Kolkata.


Airtel's median download speed was 33.83 Mbps, while Jio had a much faster download speed at 482.02 Mbps. In Varanasi, however, Jio and Airtel achieved closer parity, with Airtel achieving a 5G median download speed at 516.57 Mbps to Jio's 485.22 Mbps since June. India ranked 117th in the world for mobile download speed at 13.52 Mbps in August 2022, according to Ookla.