Maldives'' Internet Revolution: From Remote Atolls to a 5G
Dhiraagu launched the first commercial 5G service in the Maldives (and South Asia) in 2019 on a limited basis in Malé Operatorwatch Operatorwatch. Ooredoo followed with
5G: The Maldives was an early adopter in South Asia of fifth-generation mobile technology. Dhiraagu launched the first commercial 5G service in the Maldives (and South Asia) in 2019 on a limited basis in Malé . Ooredoo followed with a 5G launch in select areas of Greater Malé by December 2020 .
Mobile connectivity is the primary means of internet access for most Maldivians, and coverage has expanded to virtually the entire country. Between Dhiraagu and Ooredoo, comprehensive mobile network coverage reaches nearly 100% of the Maldives' inhabited islands . Key developments in mobile network generations include:
Even on 4G, typical download speeds of 20–40 Mbps are common in populated areas. This means mobile users in the Maldives can stream HD videos, participate in video calls, and use data-heavy apps with relative ease – a significant achievement for a tropical island nation.
The really big standout is India which seems to have blanked the country in 5G coverage within just the last 2 years. This contrasts strongly with it's neighbours like Pakistan, Myanmar and even large parts (of mostly sparsely populated) China. Europe also has good coverage up until you reach Ukraine and Belarus and into Russia.
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