GITNUXREPORT 2025

Bandwidth Statistics

Global internet bandwidth surged, driven by fiber, 5G, and rapid infrastructure growth.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Mobile data traffic surpassed fixed data traffic globally in 2021, with mobile accounting for 59% of total internet traffic

Statistic 2

The average monthly data consumption per fixed broadband user worldwide was 234 GB in 2023

Statistic 3

In 2023, China led the world in internet bandwidth consumption, accounting for approximately 26% of global total bandwidth

Statistic 4

About 70% of internet traffic in 2022 was video content, and this figure is expected to rise in 2024

Statistic 5

The total global data traffic was projected to reach 347 exabytes per month in 2024, reflecting growing bandwidth demands

Statistic 6

The average mobile data consumption per user in India reached 19 GB per month in 2023, up from 8 GB in 2019

Statistic 7

The United States accounts for over 4% of global internet traffic but only about 1.4% of the world's population, indicating high bandwidth usage per capita

Statistic 8

In 2023, data centers worldwide consumed nearly 2% of global electricity production, which is partially related to bandwidth traffic handling

Statistic 9

The global average internet traffic per connected device increased from 4.5 GB/day in 2019 to 8.1 GB/day in 2023, indicating rising bandwidth demands

Statistic 10

Cloud services utilization increased by 35% globally between 2020 and 2023, requiring higher bandwidth for efficient operation

Statistic 11

The proportion of internet traffic carried via Wi-Fi networks increased from 55% in 2019 to 65% in 2023, impacting local bandwidth distribution

Statistic 12

The total global data center traffic is expected to surpass 20 zettabytes annually by 2024, necessitating expanded bandwidth infrastructure

Statistic 13

In 2023, the global mobile broadband subscriptions reached approximately 7.2 billion, supporting increased bandwidth needs

Statistic 14

In 2022, fiber-optic internet is available to about 55% of households in the US

Statistic 15

In 2022, the global internet bandwidth market was valued at approximately $2.3 billion

Statistic 16

The number of households subscribing to ultra-fast broadband (>100 Mbps) increased by 20% globally in 2022

Statistic 17

Asia-Pacific region saw a 30% increase in average internet bandwidth capacity from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 18

The global internet backbone capacity reached 1.2 Pbps (petabits per second) in 2023

Statistic 19

The number of 5G internet connections worldwide surpassed 2 billion in 2023, significantly increasing available bandwidth

Statistic 20

In rural areas, internet bandwidth availability increases by approximately 15% annually with new infrastructure projects

Statistic 21

Approximately 60% of global internet traffic is carried via undersea fiber-optic cables, highlighting the importance of bandwidth infrastructure

Statistic 22

Global satellite internet bandwidth capacity grew by approximately 15% annually between 2020 and 2023, driven by new satellite constellations

Statistic 23

The average age of fixed broadband infrastructure in developed nations is around 8 years, with ongoing upgrades improving bandwidth capabilities

Statistic 24

The majority of new internet infrastructure investments in 2023 focused on expanding fiber-optic networks to improve bandwidth, with over $150 billion invested globally

Statistic 25

The number of fixed broadband subscriptions globally exceeded 1.2 billion in 2023, with a steady annual growth rate of 4%, increasing total bandwidth capacity

Statistic 26

The average internet penetration rate in urban areas globally reached 80% in 2023, with higher bandwidth infrastructure deployment

Statistic 27

Internet backbone investments worldwide reached approximately $5 billion annually from 2020 to 2023 to support rising bandwidth needs

Statistic 28

In 2023, Asia held the largest share of global internet bandwidth at approximately 49%

Statistic 29

The U.S. accounted for about 4.4% of the world’s total internet bandwidth in 2022

Statistic 30

The number of global internet users reached 5.07 billion in 2023, accounting for 63.5% of the world population

Statistic 31

Fiber-optic connections increased their market share globally from 24% in 2019 to over 40% in 2023

Statistic 32

The global average internet bandwidth per user increased from 13.0 Mbps in 2019 to 25.4 Mbps in 2022

Statistic 33

The average fixed broadband download speed worldwide was 64.2 Mbps in 2023

Statistic 34

The average internet speed in mobile networks increased from 17.6 Mbps in 2019 to 46.4 Mbps in 2023

Statistic 35

The median internet download speed in Europe was 122.5 Mbps in 2023

Statistic 36

The average upload bandwidth in the US in 2023 was 38 Mbps, up from 16 Mbps in 2019

Statistic 37

The median fixed broadband data speed doubled in North America from 2019 to 2023, from 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps

Statistic 38

The global average internet latency decreased from 85 ms in 2019 to 54 ms in 2023, improving bandwidth efficiency

Statistic 39

In 2023, South Korea maintained the highest average internet speed globally at 225 Mbps

Statistic 40

The worldwide average internet download speed increased by 50% from 42 Mbps in 2019 to 63 Mbps in 2022

Statistic 41

The adoption rate of gigabit internet (1 Gbps and above) services reached 30% of broadband households globally in 2023

Statistic 42

In 2022, the average internet latency in Latin America was 174 ms, the highest among regions, affecting bandwidth performance

Statistic 43

Mobile network operators in Africa increased data speeds by approximately 20% annually from 2020 to 2023, supporting growing bandwidth capacity

Statistic 44

The latency in wired broadband connections is typically below 20 ms in developed regions, facilitating higher bandwidth applications like gaming and streaming

Statistic 45

The share of households worldwide with access to gigabit internet increased from 10% in 2019 to 30% in 2023, reflecting significant bandwidth expansion

Statistic 46

The global average broadband download speed is projected to increase to over 150 Mbps by 2025 as infrastructure improves

Statistic 47

In the United States, the average household internet download speed was 220 Mbps in 2023, with rural areas experiencing slower speeds

Statistic 48

The number of global internet users with access to 1 Gbps connections grew by 25% from 2021 to 2023, reflecting rapid bandwidth advancements

Statistic 49

In 2022, the region with the highest average mobile internet speed was South Korea at 225 Mbps

Statistic 50

The average global upload speed increased from 10 Mbps in 2019 to 38 Mbps in 2023, supporting higher bandwidth applications

Statistic 51

The adoption of 10 Gbps internet plans in urban areas increased by over 35% globally in 2023, reflecting demand for higher bandwidth

Statistic 52

The average internet latency in wired fiber connections is typically below 10 ms in mature markets, supporting high bandwidth throughput

Statistic 53

The top five countries by average internet speed in 2023 were South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Switzerland, and Norway, with speeds exceeding 200 Mbps

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Sources

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Key Highlights

The global average internet bandwidth per user increased from 13.0 Mbps in 2019 to 25.4 Mbps in 2022
The average fixed broadband download speed worldwide was 64.2 Mbps in 2023
In 2023, Asia held the largest share of global internet bandwidth at approximately 49%
The U.S. accounted for about 4.4% of the world’s total internet bandwidth in 2022
Mobile data traffic surpassed fixed data traffic globally in 2021, with mobile accounting for 59% of total internet traffic
The average internet speed in mobile networks increased from 17.6 Mbps in 2019 to 46.4 Mbps in 2023
In 2022, fiber-optic internet is available to about 55% of households in the US
The number of global internet users reached 5.07 billion in 2023, accounting for 63.5% of the world population
The average monthly data consumption per fixed broadband user worldwide was 234 GB in 2023
In 2022, the global internet bandwidth market was valued at approximately $2.3 billion
The number of households subscribing to ultra-fast broadband (>100 Mbps) increased by 20% globally in 2022
The median internet download speed in Europe was 122.5 Mbps in 2023
In 2023, China led the world in internet bandwidth consumption, accounting for approximately 26% of global total bandwidth

As the world races towards gigabit speeds and beyond, internet bandwidth continues its explosive growth—transforming how billions connect, stream, and share in an era where video traffic dominates and infrastructure investments reach trillions.

Data Traffic and Consumption Trends

Mobile data traffic surpassed fixed data traffic globally in 2021, with mobile accounting for 59% of total internet traffic
The average monthly data consumption per fixed broadband user worldwide was 234 GB in 2023
In 2023, China led the world in internet bandwidth consumption, accounting for approximately 26% of global total bandwidth
About 70% of internet traffic in 2022 was video content, and this figure is expected to rise in 2024
The total global data traffic was projected to reach 347 exabytes per month in 2024, reflecting growing bandwidth demands
The average mobile data consumption per user in India reached 19 GB per month in 2023, up from 8 GB in 2019
The United States accounts for over 4% of global internet traffic but only about 1.4% of the world's population, indicating high bandwidth usage per capita
In 2023, data centers worldwide consumed nearly 2% of global electricity production, which is partially related to bandwidth traffic handling
The global average internet traffic per connected device increased from 4.5 GB/day in 2019 to 8.1 GB/day in 2023, indicating rising bandwidth demands
Cloud services utilization increased by 35% globally between 2020 and 2023, requiring higher bandwidth for efficient operation
The proportion of internet traffic carried via Wi-Fi networks increased from 55% in 2019 to 65% in 2023, impacting local bandwidth distribution
The total global data center traffic is expected to surpass 20 zettabytes annually by 2024, necessitating expanded bandwidth infrastructure
In 2023, the global mobile broadband subscriptions reached approximately 7.2 billion, supporting increased bandwidth needs

Data Traffic and Consumption Trends Interpretation

As global internet traffic surges to staggering heights—blazing past fixed connections, dominated by video and mobile data, and sparking a surge in data center power use—it's clear that our insatiable digital appetite is turning bandwidth into the new backbone of civilization’s connectivity, demanding both smarter infrastructure and a conscious rethink of our digital footprint.

Network Infrastructure and Capacity

In 2022, fiber-optic internet is available to about 55% of households in the US
In 2022, the global internet bandwidth market was valued at approximately $2.3 billion
The number of households subscribing to ultra-fast broadband (>100 Mbps) increased by 20% globally in 2022
Asia-Pacific region saw a 30% increase in average internet bandwidth capacity from 2020 to 2023
The global internet backbone capacity reached 1.2 Pbps (petabits per second) in 2023
The number of 5G internet connections worldwide surpassed 2 billion in 2023, significantly increasing available bandwidth
In rural areas, internet bandwidth availability increases by approximately 15% annually with new infrastructure projects
Approximately 60% of global internet traffic is carried via undersea fiber-optic cables, highlighting the importance of bandwidth infrastructure
Global satellite internet bandwidth capacity grew by approximately 15% annually between 2020 and 2023, driven by new satellite constellations
The average age of fixed broadband infrastructure in developed nations is around 8 years, with ongoing upgrades improving bandwidth capabilities
The majority of new internet infrastructure investments in 2023 focused on expanding fiber-optic networks to improve bandwidth, with over $150 billion invested globally
The number of fixed broadband subscriptions globally exceeded 1.2 billion in 2023, with a steady annual growth rate of 4%, increasing total bandwidth capacity
The average internet penetration rate in urban areas globally reached 80% in 2023, with higher bandwidth infrastructure deployment
Internet backbone investments worldwide reached approximately $5 billion annually from 2020 to 2023 to support rising bandwidth needs

Network Infrastructure and Capacity Interpretation

As fiber and satellite streams surge alongside 5G expansion, the global internet's bandwidth backbone is not just growing—it's embarking on a relentless sprint towards connectivity that’s faster, broader, and more intertwined than ever before.

Regional and Market Share Data

In 2023, Asia held the largest share of global internet bandwidth at approximately 49%
The U.S. accounted for about 4.4% of the world’s total internet bandwidth in 2022
The number of global internet users reached 5.07 billion in 2023, accounting for 63.5% of the world population
Fiber-optic connections increased their market share globally from 24% in 2019 to over 40% in 2023

Regional and Market Share Data Interpretation

As Asia surges ahead with nearly half of the world's internet bandwidth and fiber optics dominate the upgrades, the digital divide underscores the urgent need for balanced global connectivity amidst a population that now surpasses five billion digital citizens.

Speed and Performance Metrics

The global average internet bandwidth per user increased from 13.0 Mbps in 2019 to 25.4 Mbps in 2022
The average fixed broadband download speed worldwide was 64.2 Mbps in 2023
The average internet speed in mobile networks increased from 17.6 Mbps in 2019 to 46.4 Mbps in 2023
The median internet download speed in Europe was 122.5 Mbps in 2023
The average upload bandwidth in the US in 2023 was 38 Mbps, up from 16 Mbps in 2019
The median fixed broadband data speed doubled in North America from 2019 to 2023, from 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps
The global average internet latency decreased from 85 ms in 2019 to 54 ms in 2023, improving bandwidth efficiency
In 2023, South Korea maintained the highest average internet speed globally at 225 Mbps
The worldwide average internet download speed increased by 50% from 42 Mbps in 2019 to 63 Mbps in 2022
The adoption rate of gigabit internet (1 Gbps and above) services reached 30% of broadband households globally in 2023
In 2022, the average internet latency in Latin America was 174 ms, the highest among regions, affecting bandwidth performance
Mobile network operators in Africa increased data speeds by approximately 20% annually from 2020 to 2023, supporting growing bandwidth capacity
The latency in wired broadband connections is typically below 20 ms in developed regions, facilitating higher bandwidth applications like gaming and streaming
The share of households worldwide with access to gigabit internet increased from 10% in 2019 to 30% in 2023, reflecting significant bandwidth expansion
The global average broadband download speed is projected to increase to over 150 Mbps by 2025 as infrastructure improves
In the United States, the average household internet download speed was 220 Mbps in 2023, with rural areas experiencing slower speeds
The number of global internet users with access to 1 Gbps connections grew by 25% from 2021 to 2023, reflecting rapid bandwidth advancements
In 2022, the region with the highest average mobile internet speed was South Korea at 225 Mbps
The average global upload speed increased from 10 Mbps in 2019 to 38 Mbps in 2023, supporting higher bandwidth applications
The adoption of 10 Gbps internet plans in urban areas increased by over 35% globally in 2023, reflecting demand for higher bandwidth
The average internet latency in wired fiber connections is typically below 10 ms in mature markets, supporting high bandwidth throughput
The top five countries by average internet speed in 2023 were South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Switzerland, and Norway, with speeds exceeding 200 Mbps

Speed and Performance Metrics Interpretation

Over just a few years, global internet bandwidth has surged—from 13 Mbps in 2019 to over 25 Mbps on average per user in 2022, with regions like South Korea blazing ahead at 225 Mbps—highlighting a digital race where latency drops and gigabit ambitions rise, yet universal access still lags behind in the bandwidth marathon.