What Is the Average Internet Speed in Afghanistan in 2025?

What Is the Average Internet Speed in Afghanistan in 2025?

As of early 2025, the median internet speeds in Afghanistan remain modest by global standards. According to DataReportal (based on Ookla’s measurements), the median mobile download speed in Afghanistan is about 8.13 Mbps. Meanwhile, the median fixed (broadband) download speed is approximately 3.58 Mbps.

These figures suggest that most mobile users in Afghanistan could expect to download data at roughly 8 megabits per second under normal conditions, while fixed-line users generally see lower performance, around 3–4 Mbps.

For context, in 2024 the corresponding speeds were lower: mobile median at 4.81 Mbps and fixed median at 3.12 Mbps.

Thus, the jump in mobile speed year over year has been substantial (an increase of ~69 %) in 2025, while fixed-line speed growth has been more modest (around +14.7 %)

It’s also useful to consider what different sources report regarding “average” speeds (note that “average,” “median,” and “typical” can differ depending on methodology). One local source (SpeedGEO) reports that in the first quarter of 2025, the average broadband (fixed) download speed in Afghanistan — especially via Starlink — reached 29.8 Mbps, although that reflects the performance of a high-end satellite provider rather than the national average across all ISPs. In contrast, many users still rely on traditional ISPs whose speeds are much lower, and so the national median remains closer to the 3–5 Mbps range.

Other analyses place Afghanistan’s “average” download speeds (broadband) at around 3.8 Mbps, with uploads around 3.1 Mbps. And some sources assert that average download speeds often lie in the range of 4–6 Mbps across the country.

Thus, a reasonable summary:

Estimated average (median) internet speeds in Afghanistan in 2025

• Mobile (cellular): ~ 8.13 Mbps download

• Fixed (broadband): ~ 3.58 Mbps download

• Broad “average” across all connections: in the ballpark of 4 to 6 Mbps, with pockets of faster performance (e.g. satellite) and large areas with lower performance

These speeds remain far below many regional peers and global averages. But they also reflect the ongoing challenges in Afghanistan’s infrastructure, geography, regulatory environment, and political stability.

Why Is Afghanistan’s Internet Speed So Slow?

Several interlocking factors contribute to Afghanistan’s relatively low internet speeds. Understanding these helps explain why even relatively large improvements in speed still leave it behind global benchmarks.

1. Infrastructure Limitations & Damage

Afghanistan’s telecommunications infrastructure has faced decades of conflict, underinvestment, and disruption. Many areas lack adequate fiber-optic backhaul, have aging copper networks, or rely on satellite links. Some fiber-optic lines have been physically damaged or are difficult to maintain. Efforts to expand and repair infrastructure are often constrained by security, terrain, and cost differences.

Without robust and dense fiber networks to carry high-capacity data, ISPs must rely on slower “last-mile” technologies or share limited bandwidth, which drags down speeds.

2. Low Penetration & Limited Subscriber Base

Because relatively few people use the internet or can afford higher-speed service, ISPs often do not have enough revenue to invest heavily in upgrades. According to the Internet Society, only about 18 % of Afghanistan’s population were active internet users as of recent years.  Low utilization overall means less incentive for large-scale investment, especially in rural or remote areas.

Also, many users rely solely on mobile networks rather than fixed broadband, reducing the business case for widespread fiber or cable expansion.

3. Challenging Geographical & Security Conditions

Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain, remote valleys, and scattered rural populations make laying cables, maintaining towers, or installing repeaters expensive. Roads may be poor or unsafe, and some regions carry higher costs due to insecurity or inaccessibility. These conditions raise capital and operating costs for ISPs.

4. Regulatory, Political & Policy Constraints

Telecommunications regulation and government policy play a critical role. Delays, bureaucratic hurdles, uncertainty about licensing, and restrictions imposed by the ruling authority can deter investment. Additionally, the Taliban’s intermittent restrictions on internet access, shutdowns, or bans on fiber-optic services (for “morality” reasons) have disrupted connectivity in various provinces, creating instability in the service landscape.

In September 2025, for example, fiber-optic internet services were ordered shut down in multiple provinces by the Taliban regime, purportedly to “prevent immorality,” though that order was later partially reversed. 3 Such politically driven disruptions create uncertainty and degrade performance.

5. Technology Gaps & Limited Competitive Pressure

In many places in Afghanistan, older technologies (DSL, copper, microwave links) dominate, and uptake of newer, faster technologies (fiber to the premises, fiber-to-the-home, high-capacity microwave, 4G/5G upgrades) is uneven. ISPs may not have the capital or scale to deploy advanced technologies everywhere.

Also, when competition is limited (few major providers or barriers to entry), there is less market pressure to push speeds upward or upgrade services aggressively.

Regional and Local Variation in Speeds

The “average” speed conceals wide disparities across provinces, urban vs. rural areas, and between leading providers vs. weaker ones.

• In the first quarter of 2025, the fastest broadband (fixed) provider in Afghanistan — Starlink — reported download speeds as high as ~29.8 Mbps in certain areas, though this represents a niche, high-end service rather than the mass network.

• For more conventional ISPs, the range is much lower: for example, Afghan Telecom’s fixed download was ~8.1 Mbps; Rahanet ~5.6 Mbps; Hindukush Bridge ~2.9 Mbps.

• On the mobile side, leading mobile operators in one quarter achieved ~5.3 Mbps (Etisalat), ~5.0 Mbps (MTN) on average, with upload speeds varying between ~3 and ~7 Mbps across operators. 

• Opensignal’s 2024 mobile analysis also reveals that for users on 4G networks in urban areas, speeds can reach 7–10 Mbps or more, whereas in weaker or rural zones, speeds fall well below that. 

• Some remote or conflict-affected regions may see sub-Mbps connections or only intermittent availability, particularly for fixed-line service.

Thus, while many urban users may enjoy speeds closer to or above the national median, rural users or those in underprivileged areas often lag significantly behind.

Trends & Outlook: Has It Been Improving?

Yes — there has been a noticeable upward trend in mobile speeds over recent years, though fixed-line improvements have been slower.

• As noted earlier, the jump in mobile median speed from ~4.81 Mbps (2024) to ~8.13 Mbps (2025) represents a strong gain of ~69 %.

• Fixed-line speeds improved more modestly: from ~3.12 Mbps to ~3.58 Mbps (a ~14.7 % increase) in the same period.

• Some ISPs report incremental improvements in infrastructure, such as deploying more fiber backhaul, upgrading microwave links, and expanding coverage in cities.

• Nevertheless, external shocks — including political instability, regulation changes, blackouts, and sudden shutdowns — remain a recurring risk that can stall progress.

Still, the baseline is low, so even big percentage gains in speed leave Afghanistan far behind many neighbors and global norms.

Implications: What It Means for Users and the Economy

Low internet speeds have real consequences:

• Slow downloads, streaming, and real-time applications: With speeds of 3–8 Mbps, users experience buffering in high-resolution video, slow downloads of large files, and limited capacity for remote work, telemedicine, or interactive services.

• Digital divide and inequity: Citizens in rural or conflict-affected areas are disproportionately disadvantaged, reinforcing social and economic inequality.

• Stunted digital economy: Businesses relying on cloud services, e-commerce, remote operations, or high-bandwidth interactions face handicaps when connections are slow or unreliable.

• Education and social impact: Online education, teleconferencing, and access to media and international content are severely constrained for many users.

• Fragile resilience to disruptions: Because the infrastructure is thin, shutdowns, damage, or deliberate restrictions (such as those imposed for “morality” reasons) can have outsized effects.

In short: while connectivity is gradually improving, the pace and scale remain insufficient to support ambitious digital transformation unless investments and policy support accelerate.

What Could Happen Next? Key Drivers & Scenarios

To improve from the ~3–8 Mbps range to something more competitive, Afghanistan (or whichever authority governs it) would need to address a few key areas.

1. Infrastructure Investment & Expansion

• Deploying more fiber-optic backhaul and last-mile fiber or high-capacity microwave links will increase bandwidth capacity.

• Satellite and low Earth orbit (LEO) systems (e.g. Starlink, similar services) could supplement terrestrial networks, particularly in remote or rugged areas.

• Redundancy, route diversity, and better maintenance would help reduce outages, packet loss, and congestion.

2. Regulatory Reform & Stable Policy

• A clear, stable, and transparent telecom regulatory framework can attract investment and reduce risk for private operators.

• Permissions and licensing, spectrum allocation, and rights-of-way must be handled with consistency and foresight.

• Avoiding politically motivated shutdowns or bans (or at least providing predictable rules) will help maintain confidence among providers and users.

3. Market Incentives & Competition

• Encouraging multiple ISPs to compete in both fixed and mobile sectors can push improvements in speed, service, and affordability.

• Subsidies, public-private partnerships, or targeted incentives for underserved regions could help offset low-revenue markets.

• Bulk backhaul or shared infrastructure models may reduce duplication and cost.

4. Technology Upgrades & Innovation

• Transitioning from older DSL, copper, or legacy microwave to newer standards (e.g. fiber to the home, gigabit wireless, 5G where feasible) can boost performance.

• Network optimization, caching, edge computing, and better routing can improve perceived speeds even with limited throughput.

• Investing in local content delivery networks (CDNs) reduces latency and improves responsiveness.

5. Resilience & Protection

• Networks need better protection from physical damage, sabotage, or disruptions. Backup power, routing alternatives, and maintenance protocols are important.

• Avoiding or minimizing politically motivated shutdowns or censorship will help sustain credibility and user confidence.

If these steps are taken gradually and persistently, it is plausible that median mobile speeds in Afghanistan could reach 15–20 Mbps or more within a decade, and fixed-line speeds could climb to 10–20+ Mbps in denser urban zones. But these are aspirational goals contingent on substantial investment, political stability, regulatory clarity, and security in many regions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In 2025, the median mobile download speed in Afghanistan is about 8.13 Mbps, while the median fixed (broadband) download speed is around 3.58 Mbps.

• Many sources estimate a more general “average” download speed in the 4 to 6 Mbps range across all users.

• These speeds are low by global standards, reflecting decades of underinvestment, conflict, geographic challenges, regulatory uncertainty, and occasional shutdowns or restrictions.

• Some providers, like Starlink, can deliver significantly higher speeds (~29 Mbps in some conditions) in limited areas, but they remain exceptions, not the norm.

• Disparities are substantial: users in urban or well-served zones may see much higher speeds than those in remote or conflict-affected regions.

• While mobile speeds have seen relatively strong year-over-year growth, the base remains low and fixed-line improvements are slower.

• To meaningfully increase speeds across the population, Afghanistan needs focused investment in infrastructure, stable policy frameworks, competition, and resilience measures.

• Without sustained progress, the country risks further digital exclusion, economic stagnation in sectors that rely on connectivity, and social inequality.