This recent report kinda confirms that sad reality.

Not even top tier in the region

A global research report revealed that Malaysia's internet connection experience is ranked at the bottom tier at the global level, The Vibes reported.

If that's not embarassing enough, Malaysia was also ranked in the lower tier at the regional level, according to the report titled “Global Mobile Experience: Country-level Comparison” conducted by global independent data company Tutela back in September 2020.

According to Tutela, the rankings were based on the percentage of tests where a mobile connection was good enough for the most demanding popular apps, including 1080p video streaming and high-definition video group calls.

On that note, the report revealed that we were ranked lower than our Asean neighbours such as Thailand, Vietnam and even Laos in the 'Best Mobile Experience' category related to 4G wireless broadband speeds.

Overall, we were placed sixth among nine Asean countries that made the global list.

Image credit: The Asean Post

But when we compare our mobile internet speeds on the global scale, that's when things get a bit more embarassing.

Among 100 countries in the world, the report placed Malaysia at 81, three spots below Indonesia (78). Vietnam came in at a respectable 50, while Thailand was ranked 74th.

Even Laos, one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia, was ranked 75th, one spot below Thailand.

Our neighbour down south, Singapore, meanwhile, was ranked in the top 20, occupying the 17th spot.

Only three Asean countries were ranked below Malaysia in the list: Cambodia and Myanmar were tied at 82 while the Philippines came in at 88th.

Our fastest is not even the fastest

According to the report by The Vibes, local telco Digi has the highest mobile download speed in Malaysia at 15.0 Mbps.

But even that pales in comparison to some of our closest neighbours.

Thailand's average mobile download speed was pegged at 15.5 Mbps, while Singapore's average was light years ahead of Malaysia's at 45.5 Mbps.

When it comes to Asia, South Korea enjoys an average mobile download speed of 61.3 Mbps. Japan is not far behind with 40.4 Mbps and Taiwan comes in at 27.4 Mbps.

SIgh, we have a lot of catching up to do.