Mobile data has become an indispensable part of everyday life, enabling communication, education, entertainment, and business growth. Between August and September 2024, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) conducted a detailed Quality of Service (QoS) assessment, shedding light on the state of mobile data services across 30 towns in Uganda.
The findings provide valuable insights into data performance trends, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Operators assessed included MTN Uganda, Airtel Uganda, Uganda Telecommunications Corporation Limited (UTeL), and Tangerine Limited (operating as Lycamobile).
Data Usage Trends and Performance Highlights
With growing reliance on data-intensive applications like video streaming, cloud storage, and e-commerce, operators have been striving to enhance their service quality:
- MTN Uganda emerged as a leader in download speeds, recording an average of 16.3 Mbps, a significant improvement from the previous year. This performance supports a smooth user experience for bandwidth-intensive activities such as video calls and gaming.
- Airtel Uganda, while showing a slight drop from 2023, maintained strong performance with an average download speed of 15.5 Mbps, catering to the needs of both urban and rural users.
- Lycamobile struggled to keep up, with speeds averaging 5.3 Mbps, limiting its ability to handle high-demand services.
Latency and Real-Time Applications
Latency plays a crucial role in determining the responsiveness of applications like online gaming, video conferencing, and remote work platforms. MTN recorded the lowest average latency at 69 ms, followed by Airtel and Lycamobile. These values indicate room for improvement, particularly for operators aiming to optimize real-time services.
Key Challenges in Data Performance
- Packet Loss: High packet loss values, especially for Lycamobile, disrupt data reliability, affecting streaming and downloads.
- Geographical Coverage: Remote towns still face slower speeds due to limited network infrastructure. For example, towns like Rukungiri and Yumbe recorded low throughput, hindering access to digital services.
- Network Congestion: Peak-hour usage often leads to slower data speeds, emphasizing the need for infrastructure upgrades. High population densities in urban centers like Kampala and Wakiso can strain network resources during peak hours.
- Geographical Limitations: Hilly and remote districts like Kabale and Kisoro experience slower speeds due to terrain and infrastructure gaps.
- Black Spots: Some districts, particularly in the northern and western regions, suffer from areas with weak or no signal, impacting access to reliable data.
Regional Data Performance Highlights
Central Region
Key districts such as Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono displayed solid performances:
- Kampala reported average download speeds of 12.5 Mbps (Airtel) and 11.0 Mbps (MTN), supporting urban data demands for video streaming, cloud usage, and online meetings.
- Wakiso showcased faster speeds, with 10.6 Mbps (Airtel) and 12.4 Mbps (MTN), coupled with low latency for smoother real-time applications.
- Mukono recorded slightly lower throughput but maintained stable connectivity, essential for schools, businesses, and residential users in the area.
Western Region
Districts in the western region presented a mix of high and low performances:
- Mbarara and Masindi achieved commendable speeds of 13.6 Mbps and 19.3 Mbps (Airtel), highlighting significant coverage improvements.
- Kabale and Kisoro, known for their hilly terrain, faced challenges with average speeds of 9.3 Mbps and 11.9 Mbps, respectively, emphasizing the need for infrastructure investments.
- Fort Portal showed promise with 14.7 Mbps, demonstrating growing capacity in this growing commercial hub.
Northern Region
Northern Uganda showcased varying levels of connectivity, with districts like Gulu and Lira leading the way:
- Gulu saw an impressive average speed of 21.7 Mbps (Airtel), making it a regional leader.
- Lira followed with strong throughput of 16.9 Mbps and reliable latency, enabling better access to digital services.
- In contrast, districts like Kotido and Yumbe struggled with coverage, highlighting the persistent issue of black spots.
Eastern Region
The eastern region recorded some of the best data performances:
- Mbale and Jinja achieved standout download speeds of 24.3 Mbps and 26 Mbps, respectively (Airtel), making these towns hotspots for digital growth.
- Tororo and Soroti also reported high speeds, with 23.6 Mbps and 26.7 Mbps, respectively, creating opportunities for increased digital engagement in these areas.
At VINAStech, we are committed to advancing mobile data connectivity to improve digital connectivity in Uganda. Our expertise in cloud services, network solutions, and IT infrastructure design positions us to address challenges like latency, packet loss, and black spots identified in the UCC report. By working closely with businesses and institutions, we aim to empower them with reliable digital solutions tailored to their unique needs, ensuring no region or community is left behind in the journey toward a connected Uganda.
