Jamaica’s Internet in Late 2024: Speed and Trends Unveiled

We’ve decided to review the latest insights from Ookla’s Jamaica Speedtest Connectivity Report H2 2024, published on February 10, 2025. This report, based on millions of consumer-initiated tests conducted through Speedtest® between July and December 2024, offers a clear picture of Jamaica’s mobile and fixed broadband performance. The data reveals impressive progress, intensifying competition, and a few areas ripe for improvement as the island advances its digital transformation. Let’s dive into the key findings and explore what they mean for Jamaica’s connectivity future.

Key Takeaways:

• Digicel leads mobile speeds.
• Flow excels in mobile gaming.
• Flow dominates fixed broadband.
• Fiber adoption surges.

Mobile Networks: Digicel Leads in Speed, Flow Shines for Gamers

In the mobile arena, Digicel maintained its title as Jamaica’s fastest provider during the second half of 2024. With a median download speed of 36.62 Mbps across all technologies, Digicel showed noticeable improvement from its 33.72 Mbps in the first half of the year. This uptick suggests steady upgrades to its network. Additionally, Digicel topped upload speeds at 11.03 Mbps and earned the highest consistency score of 86%. This score indicates that 86% of its tests met or exceeded the baseline of 5 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload, a vital standard for dependable daily use.

Meanwhile, Flow carved out its own niche by delivering the best mobile gaming experience, with a Game Score™ of 72.33. Calculated from factors like latency, jitter, and real-world gaming server performance, this score highlights Flow’s strength in meeting the needs of Jamaica’s growing gaming community. However, Flow’s median download speed slipped slightly to 23.99 Mbps from 24.42 Mbps earlier in 2024. This dip suggests the provider may be prioritizing quality-of-experience enhancements over raw speed.

When it comes to video streaming, neither Digicel nor Flow stood out. Their Video Streaming Scores™ showed no significant difference, meaning both offer similar quality for watching videos, a key driver of mobile data use. Among Jamaica’s major cities, Old Harbour led with the fastest median mobile download speed at 40.05 Mbps, followed by Spanish Town at 36.72 Mbps. Kingston, the capital, trailed at 30.25 Mbps, possibly due to higher congestion or uneven infrastructure in urban areas.

Fixed Broadband: Flow Dominates, Fiber Gains Ground

Turning to fixed broadband, Flow emerged as the clear leader in the second half of 2024. The provider posted a median download speed of 132.88 Mbps and an upload speed of 81.97 Mbps, outpacing competitors like Digicel+ (83.62 Mbps download) and SpaceX’s Starlink (62.65 Mbps download). Flow also excelled in gaming, achieving a Game Score™ of 89.87 and a low median latency of 19 milliseconds, making it ideal for activities like online gaming and video calls that demand quick response times.

A standout trend in the report is the rise of fiber-optic connections, which accounted for 67.6% of fixed broadband tests in Jamaica during this period. This marks a significant jump from previous years and reflects a broader shift away from older technologies like copper DSL. Providers like Flow and Digicel+ are clearly investing heavily in high-capacity networks, a move that aligns with global demands for faster, more reliable internet. Among cities, Mandeville topped the charts with a median fixed download speed of 162.06 Mbps, while Kingston lagged at 114.29 Mbps, pointing to some disparities in infrastructure rollout.

Starlink, though not matching fiber’s speeds, remained a player in the satellite broadband space with a median download speed of 62.65 Mbps. Its role is particularly valuable in remote areas where traditional wired connections are less practical.

5G Progress: A Work in Progress

Jamaica’s journey toward 5G is still in its early stages. The H2 2024 report offers little data on 5G performance, likely due to limited adoption or testing. Neither Digicel nor Flow posted standout 5G results, suggesting that challenges like regulatory delays or infrastructure costs are slowing deployment. For now, the mobile market leans heavily on 4G-LTE, which continues to improve gradually. Digicel’s speed gains, for example, likely stem from 4G enhancements rather than a widespread 5G rollout.

By comparison, countries like Guatemala saw Claro achieve a median 5G download speed of 479.14 Mbps in the same period, according to Ookla’s Guatemala report. To catch up, Jamaica’s telecom regulators and providers will need to prioritize spectrum allocation and infrastructure upgrades to bring next-generation mobile connectivity to the island.

What Users Think: Digicel Nudges Ahead

When it comes to customer satisfaction, Digicel edged out Flow as Jamaica’s top-rated mobile provider, earning a 5-Star Rating of 3.92 out of 5 compared to Flow’s 3.81. This slight lead may reflect Digicel’s edge in speed and reliability, though Flow’s gaming strengths likely kept it competitive. On the fixed broadband side, Flow’s speed and gaming dominance didn’t translate into a separate user rating in the report, hinting that factors like cost or customer service also influence how people feel about their providers.

What It All Means and What’s Next

Jamaica’s internet performance in late 2024 paints a picture of a market on the move. Digicel and Flow are pushing each other to improve, with mobile speeds averaging 36.62 Mbps (Digicel) and fixed broadband hitting 132.88 Mbps (Flow). The surge in fiber adoption is a big win, setting the stage for data-heavy uses like remote work, online learning, and entertainment. Yet, the sluggish 5G rollout remains a hurdle. While Jamaica outpaces many Caribbean neighbors, it still lags behind global leaders like Singapore, where mobile speeds averaged 231.96 Mbps in H2 2024, per Ookla’s Singapore report.

For everyday users, this means solid 4G and fiber options for now, with gaming and streaming well within reach. For decision-makers, the priority should be bridging gaps between cities like Kingston and rural areas, while speeding up 5G development to meet the needs of a digital economy. Investments in fiber expansion and faster regulatory action on 5G spectrum will be critical steps forward.

In summary, Jamaica’s connectivity scene in late 2024 reflects both achievement and ambition. Digicel and Flow are leading the charge, but the next big leap, whether it’s widespread 5G or beyond, will depend on how well the island adapts to an increasingly connected world.