The fastest internet in the world – 2026
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While you might not have the fastest internet in the world connected to your home network, you may still be wondering what you’re missing out on! Updated in January 2026, here’s the world’s current records for the fastest recorded internet speeds.
The fastest internet speed recorded in the world
The record for the fastest internet speed recorded in the world is currently held by Japan, having achieved 1000 Terabits per second (Tbps) – or more specifically, 125,000 gigabytes of data per second over 1,802 kilometres (1,120 miles)
They hit this speed in July 2025, doubling its previous record: 402 Tbps, which they reached in March of 2024. This was achieved using standard commercially available optical fibre.
Japan also held the record prior to that, recording 319 Tbps in 2021.
Before this, the record for the fastest internet speed was held by researchers at the University College of London with 178 Tbps recorded in 2020.
Note that most domestic connections are measured in megabits per second (Mbps); there are a thousand megabits in a gigabit and a thousand gigabits in a terabit.
So, the record speed is incredibly fast in comparison to the average speed of a domestic connection!
The fastest internet available in the UK
The fastest internet widely available in the UK is 1Gigabit per second (1Gbps), which is 1000 Megabits per second (1000Mbps). This is often referred to as Gigabit internet.
Airband currently offer fibre broadband and fixed wireless packages up to 1000Mbps. Use our coverage checker to see if you are in range.
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Average internet speed in the UK
While this figure has not yet been confirmed, the UK’s average internet speed should be 223 Mbps, according to Ofcom’s Connected Nations 2024 report projections. Before this, the average fixed broadband internet speed in the UK was 110.99 Mbps, making it the country with the 35th fastest internet in the world at that point.
Fastest average internet connection in the world
As of May 2025, Singapore boasts the fastest internet widely available domestically, at average speeds of 372.02 Mbps.
France came in second at 315.38 Mbps, while the UAE, previously no.1, was bumped down to third at 314.49 Mbps.
Five countries with the fastest internet connection in the world:
Here are the average download speeds for the countries with the fastest WiFi:
| Rank | Country | Internet speed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 372.02Mbps |
| 2 | France | 315.38Mbps |
| 3 | United Arab Emirates (UAE) | 314.49Mbps |
| 4 | Hong Kong | 310.24Mbps |
| 5 | Chile | 297.75Mbps |
What is the fastest type of internet connection?
The fastest type of internet connection in the world is fibre, also known as FTTP (Fibre to the Premises).
FTTP, or fibre can achieve much faster speeds than traditional copper or DSL connections, and blended FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet), because there is no contention.
Find out more in our dedicated blog: What is the difference between FTTP and FTTC?
That is why Airband uses FTTP for all of our fibre broadband connections. We have a range of fibre packages available. Use the coverage checker to see if you can get a better speed with us.
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Countries with the slowest internet speed in the world
Although not strictly a country, the award for the world’s slowest internet goes to The British Indian Ocean Territory (also known as the Chagos Archipelago or Chagos Islands), with an average download speed of just 2.38Mbps (approximately the average speed of internet in the UK in 2007!)
Five countries with the slowest internet connection in the world:
Here’s the five countries in the world with the slowest internet:
| Rank | Country | Internet speed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | British Indian Ocean Territory | 2.38Mbps |
| 2 | Turkmenistan | 2.72Mbps |
| 3 | Syria | 2.80Mbps |
| 4 | Yemen | 2.99Mbps |
| 5 | Tajikistan | 3.10Mbps |
Source: Cable.com
All of these countries have severely underdeveloped communications network infrastructure, and low uptake of digital services among their population.
Get online with Fibre broadband
Airband can provide you with speeds up to 17 times faster than the UK average, with a range of fibre packages to suit your needs.
We use cutting-edge technology to provide you with the fastest, most reliable connection possible.
Find out if you can get connected to super-fast speeds using our coverage checker. Do you know what speeds you’re currently getting? Use our broadband speed test to find out.
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