5G internet speeds in Morocco have fallen sharply since the network was launched six months ago. The median download speed was 261.7 Mbps on launch day. It rose to 266.94 Mbps during the first month, according to data from Ookla. By the third month, the median speed had fallen to 185.93 Mbps. It has since stayed at around 160-165 Mbps.
This means speeds are now about 38% lower than they were during the first month.
The drop is the biggest among the four North African markets studied by Ookla. Algeria recorded a decline of about 16%, while Tunisia and Egypt also saw smaller falls.
The figures do not mean that every 5G user has seen their speed drop by 38%. Ookla’s data comes from speed tests carried out by users. The number and location of people using 5G have changed as the network has expanded.
More users, more pressure
The network launched using 5G NSA, or non-standalone technology. It uses 5G antennas but still relies partly on the existing 4G core network.
More users and higher traffic can put extra pressure on that infrastructure.
Karim Yaici, an analyst at Ookla, said the combined median speeds for 4G and 5G users in Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt had fallen below their pre-5G levels after six months.
The number of 5G users has grown quickly. About 2.63 million people were actively using 5G two months after the launch.
Operators also need to keep expanding coverage. The target is to have 5G available to 45% of the population by the end of 2026.
Speeds of 160 Mbps are still more than enough for most everyday uses. Users can stream 4K video, make video calls, play online games and download large files without major problems.
The main issue is whether operators can keep these speeds as more people join the network.
There are also big differences between operators.
An April 2026 Opensignal report put the average 5G speed at 280.2 Mbps for Maroc Telecom, 198.5 Mbps for inwi and 136.6 Mbps for Orange.
Orange had the best 5G availability, while inwi ranked first for video experience.
5G remains much faster than 4G, but the first six months show that keeping the network fast as usage grows could be a bigger challenge for the three operators.
