Sri Lanka’s internet subscriptions hit 26mn connections

By Nuzla Rizkiya

The number of internet subscriptionsin Sri Lanka, including mobile internet connections, has risen to 26 million units by the end of the second quarter of 2024, according to local analytics platform Charts.lk.

The platform noted that the surge in the figures marks a 19 percent increase in growth compared to the same period last year, signifying a growing demand for internet connectivity and digital services across the country.

“Internet subscriptions started to increase substantially, not because of the economic growth but due to the restricted physical movement during the Covid pandemic at the initial stage,” the platform further stated.

Global analytical platforms estimate that the 3G coverage systems in Sri Lanka will cover 97.80 percent of the country in 2024, while the 4G network coverage is projected to reach 100 percent.

Moreover, 5.29 million households are forecast to have internet access by 2024, where the average broadband connection speed is estimated to be 22.67k kbit/s.

Additionally, internet penetration is projected to reach 61.48 percent of the population, with consumer spending on ICT equipment estimated to hit US$ 41.78 million within the year.