Ookla Internet Speed Trends: Fixed Vs Mobile#
Algeria has seen one of the highest growth in internet speed compared to countries in the MENAAP region. Internet speed is shown to be positively correlated with labor force participation1, job creation2 and job growth3. The usage of internet and mobile phones has also been shown to increase female labor force participation in African countries4.
The fixed broadband internet speed in Algeria has increased by more than 2000% since 2019. Speeds steadily increased since 2019 with a rapid increase after 2023. This could be due to the installation of fiber optic cables, along with Algeria’s participation in the Medusa Submarine Cable System5.
Algiers, Constantine, Blida have more than 100Mbps internet speeds as of 2026 Q1. Within this, Constantine city has higher speeds than other areas in the Wilaya, aligning with existing research that urban areas typically enjoy better connectivity.
fixed_pw_adm1 = pd.read_csv(str(DATA_DIR) + "algeria_pop_weighted_adm1_z12_fixed.csv")
mobile_pw_adm1 = pd.read_csv(str(DATA_DIR) + "algeria_pop_weighted_adm1_z12_mobile.csv")
References#
Stevenson, B. (2006). The Impact of the Internet on Worker Flows. Working Paper, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Bahia, K., Castells, P., Cruz, G., Masaki, T., Pedros, X., Pfutze, T., Rodriguez-Castelan, C. and H. Winkler (2020). The Welfare Effects of Mobile Broadband Internet: Evidence from Nigeria. Policy Research Working Paper No. 9230, World Bank, Washington, DC.
Bahia, K., Castells, P., Cruz, G., Masaki, T., Rodriguez-Castelan, C. and V. Sanfelice (2021). Mobile Broadband Internet, Poverty and Labor Outcomes in Tanzania. Policy Research Working Paper No. 9749, World Bank, Washington, DC.
Ngoa, G. B. N., & Song, J. S. (2021). Female participation in African labor markets: The role of information and communication technologies. Telecommunications Policy, 45(9), 102174.
Africa Intelligence. (2023, May 16). EIB negotiates with Algiers to kick-start stalled Medusa submarine cable project. Africa Intelligence. https://www.africaintelligence.com/north-africa/2023/05/16/eib-negotiates-with-algiers-to-kick-start-stalled-medusa-submarine-cable-project,109975079-bre