Wireless performance data from Latin America has been released by CELLSMART, the cellular intelligence division of SmartCIC, according to which, Chile is the regional leader in both maximum download and upload speeds, with speeds of 371.7 Mbps and 102.5 Mbps, respectively. In second place, Panama recorded a maximum download speed of 249.0 Mbps, which was over 120.0 Mbps higher than the regional leader. Guatemala and Venezuela tied for second place in maximum upload speed, with both achieving test results of 63.3 Mbps.
The CELLSMART Global Cellular Performance Survey has revealed that Chile had the highest average download speeds across 3G, 4G, and 5G networks at 72.4 Mbps. Uruguay (62.5 Mbps), Dominican Republic (40.4 Mbps), Brazil (39.0 Mbps), and El Salvador (32.1 Mbps) made up the top five countries for average download speeds. In terms of average upload speeds, Panama was the leader with 25.5 Mbps, followed by Peru (24.1 Mbps), Chile (20.1 Mbps), Brazil (17.0 Mbps), and Dominican Republic (16.5 Mbps), rounding out the top five.
MAXIMUM DOWNLOAD SPEEDS (Mbps)
- Chile – 371.7
- Panama – 249.0
- Guatemala – 239.0
- Dominican Republic – 186.5
- Brazil – 172.9
MAXIMUM UPLOAD SPEEDS (Mbps)
- Chile – 102.5
- Guatemala – 63.3
- Venezuela – 63.3
- Dominican Republic – 61.0
- Brazil – 56.1
“The survey shows that the 5G revolution in Latin America is only just starting. Cellular performance varies widely across markets and metro areas with Chile delivering the most consistent results of any LATAM country. There is a lot of room for growth and development of local cellular networks, especially when compared to the average upload and download speeds we’re seeing in North America and Western Europe,” said Toby Forman, CEO at SmartCIC. “Speed tests were largely conducted on 4G and 3G across the region and show that network quality, speed and latency will improve when 5G is deployed more widely.”
Between March 25, 2022, and October 31, 2022, CELLSMART gathered data from 9,950 network speed tests in the region. The survey offers an overview of real-world performance across cellular technologies worldwide. CELLSMART utilizes the data it acquires for its planning, network selection, service development, and monitoring for its fixed wireless enterprise clients.
In Latin America, the average indoor download speed for 4G was 37.97 Mbps with an upload speed of 16.05 Mbps. Outdoor download speed was lower at 27.47 Mbps but maintained a consistent upload speed of 16.79 Mbps. On the other hand, 3G had significantly lower average speeds with indoor download and upload speeds of 7.39 Mbps and 2.94 Mbps, respectively. Outdoor download and upload speeds for 3G were 8.94 Mbps and 8.62 Mbps, respectively.
“Markets across Latin America are developing rapidly. The results show that 3G and 4G are still providing a reliable foundation for wireless connectivity across the region. 5G is growing and overtime we will see an increasing number of speed test that show the power of 5G locally in across markets in Latin America. In markets that are transforming quickly, it is critical that enterprises and service providers have access to accurate cellular performance data,” said Forman. “CELLSMART is constantly tracking and reporting accurate local intelligence enable service provider partners to capture the opportunity in fixed wireless.”
View the complete survey here.
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