Read our newest article on Mobile Data Speeds from 2020

Benchmarking Mobile Data Bitrates

DNA Plc contracted Omnitele to measure and compare the data speeds offered by Finnish mobile service providers DNA, Elisa and Telia in the Helsinki area Metro system. The benchmark focused on the data rates available with each service provider’s highest level data plans (unlimited data volumes, highest data rate) targeted to the consumer segment.

The measurements were carried out during September 2018 along the metro line between all stations Matinkylä – Mellunmäki – Vuosaari.

Operators’ data speeds and results varied on per location basis. The results, however, give a good overview of the operators’ average data speeds and the differences in the measured route.

Main Results

Data speeds achieved by all operators in the Helsinki metro were at an excellent level, thanks to high availability of LTE-A networks. Considering the most typical use cases such as web browsing and video streaming, the measured data rates enable excellent mobile service experience with all measured service providers.

The highest average download data transfer speed was measured with DNA subscription, 85.2 Mbps. The results for Elisa and Telia subscriptions were 61.0 and 54.7 Mbps.

In addition to average data speeds, we also investigated the availability of certain, selected, data speed levels.

5 Mbps was selected to present typical requirements of HD video streaming, and 25 Mbps as a requirement for Ultra HD (4K) video. 5 Mbps was achieved by 93% of the measured samples with DNA subscription, by 92% of the samples with Elisa subscription and by 87% of the samples with Telia subscription. Ultra HD requirements were reached by 82% of the samples with DNA subscription, by 69% of the samples with Elisa subscription and by 64% of the samples with Telia subscription.

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