Fastest Mobile & Fixed Internet Providers in SA
Reliable internet is essential in today’s digital world, whether for streaming, gaming, remote work, or online browsing. South Africans have multiple options for both mobile and fixed-line internet, but which provider truly delivers the best speed and coverage?
According to the latest Speedtest Connectivity Report from Ookla, Vodacom leads in 5G speed, while MTN dominates overall mobile performance. Meanwhile, Cool Ideas, Afrihost, and MWEB stand out in the fixed-line category. Here’s a breakdown of the fastest internet providers in South Africa.
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Fastest Mobile Internet Provider in SA
1. MTN – The Overall Mobile Leader
MTN secured its spot as the fastest mobile provider in South Africa, achieving a Speed Score of 97.32.
- Median download speed: 77.13Mbps
- Median upload speed: 13.81Mbps
- Lowest latency: 36ms
MTN’s strong performance is attributed to its expansive coverage across both urban and rural areas, making it the preferred choice for many South Africans.
2. Vodacom – The Fastest 5G Provider
Vodacom led in the 5G category, delivering superior speeds but with limited coverage outside major cities.
- 5G median download speed: 227.92Mbps
- 5G median upload speed: 14.75Mbps
While Vodacom offers incredible speeds for users in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, it lacks 5G connectivity across large parts of the country, including the Free State, Northern Cape, and much of the Eastern Cape.
3. Cell C & Telkom – Mid-Tier Performers
- Cell C median download speed: 44.07Mbps
- Telkom median download speed: 32.51Mbps
While these networks offer affordable mobile data plans, their speeds lag behind those of MTN and Vodacom.
Best Fixed-Line Internet Providers in SA
Fixed-line internet is ideal for homes and businesses that require consistent, high-speed internet with minimal disruptions. The latest report ranked MWEB as the top ISP, while Cool Ideas and Afrihost led in speed performance.
Top Fixed Internet Providers (Overall Performance Score)
- MWEB – Highest Overall Connectivity Score
- Vox – Reliable and widely used in business sectors
- Afrihost – A solid choice for both speed and service
Fastest Fixed-Line Internet Providers (Download Speed)
- Cool Ideas – 69.14Mbps
- Afrihost – 54.72Mbps
- MWEB – 50.89Mbps
Rain ranked the worst in terms of fixed-line connectivity, likely due to network congestion and reliability issues.
Best Cities for Internet Speed in SA
Where you live can greatly impact your internet experience. The top-performing cities for mobile and fixed-line speeds in South Africa are:
Fastest Mobile Internet Speeds (City Rankings)
- Pretoria – 76.03Mbps
- Bloemfontein – 72.45Mbps
- Johannesburg – 69.28Mbps
On the other hand, the slowest speeds were recorded in Soshanguve (29.27Mbps), Durban, and Pietermaritzburg.
Fastest Fixed Internet Speeds (City Rankings)
- Cape Town – 52.59Mbps
- Johannesburg – 50.12Mbps
- Pretoria – 48.76Mbps
Soshanguve, East London, and Bloemfontein had the slowest fixed-line speeds, often due to outdated infrastructure and fewer fiber connections.
Which Internet Provider Should You Choose?
Your choice depends on your location, budget, and needs.
- For the fastest overall mobile speeds: MTN is the best choice.
- For the fastest 5G speeds: Vodacom leads, but coverage is limited.
- For reliable home internet: MWEB, Cool Ideas, and Afrihost offer the best performance.
- For budget-friendly mobile data: Cell C and Telkom provide reasonable speeds at lower prices.
While speed matters, coverage is equally important. Vodacom may be the fastest in 5G, but MTN offers better coverage and overall mobile performance. For fixed internet, MWEB, Cool Ideas, and Afrihost provide the best service.
Before choosing a provider, consider your area’s network strength, peak-hour congestion, and real-world performance to ensure you get the best connectivity experience in South Africa.
