Choosing a mobile operator can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available in the market. Factors like price, network coverage, and internet speed play a crucial role in making this decision. To help consumers make an informed choice, Ookla, a global leader in internet testing and analysis, conducted a study comparing the offerings of four major mobile operators in Slovakia – Orange, Telekom, O2, and 4ka.
The data collected by Ookla from January to June 2024 aimed to provide a comprehensive overview based on millions of daily tests initiated by consumers on Speedtest, along with quality experience metrics. These metrics offer insights into everyday connected activities that are most important for end-users. The results of this study were first highlighted by the Techbox portal.
In terms of internet speed, Telekom emerged as the fastest mobile operator in Slovakia during the first half of 2024. The Slovak mobile market witnessed a performance boost, with a median download speed of 54.46 Mb/s across all providers, compared to 46.34 Mb/s in the second half of 2023. This improvement was largely driven by Telekom and Orange, with Telekom leading as the overall fastest provider and offering the best mobile gaming experience in the market.
Telekom’s partnership with O2 for shared 5G network utilization, signed in August 2023, is expected to create stronger competition between these two operators and prompt competitive responses from 4ka and Orange in the future.
Telekom topped the charts in the speed test conducted by Speedtest Intelligence from January to June 2024, achieving a speed score of 91.44. It led in median download speed at 84 Mb/s, followed by Orange at 78.31 Mb/s and 4ka at 29.25 Mb/s. Telekom also excelled in median upload speed at 18.82 Mb/s and recorded a latency of 32 ms.
When it comes to 5G internet, 4ka dominated with a speed score of 151.37. The operator led in median 5G download speed at 182.78 Mb/s, surpassing Telekom at 153.66 Mb/s and Orange at 130.21 Mb/s. 4ka also recorded a median 5G upload speed of 24.51 Mb/s and led in 5G latency at 24 ms. However, 4ka lacked coverage, with only 5.9% 5G availability.
In regional testing, Bratislava emerged as the top-performing region in Slovakia, boasting the fastest median download speed from mobile networks at 99.29 Mb/s. On the other end of the spectrum, Prešov ranked lowest with the slowest median download speed from fixed networks at 76.04 Mb/s.
Looking ahead, mobile performance is expected to continue growing in the second half of 2024. The network-sharing agreement between Telekom and O2 will enable them to leverage investments in network infrastructure more effectively. Additionally, the recent discontinuation of 3G networks has freed up additional frequency spectrum in the market, paving the way for enhanced performance and increased 5G capabilities.
As consumers navigate the landscape of mobile operators, these insights from Ookla’s study can serve as a valuable guide in selecting the right provider based on internet speed, network coverage, and overall performance. Stay informed, stay connected, and make the most of your mobile experience.