Global internet bandwidth rises to 2,259 Tbps as AI traffic remains limited

International internet bandwidth grew 23% in 2026 to 2,259 terabits per second, with a four-year compound annual growth rate of 23%, TeleGeography reported.

Capacity has more than doubled since 2022. Africa recorded the fastest regional growth, averaging 35% a year, followed by Oceania at 25%. Average and peak international traffic rose by about 24% annually.

TeleGeography attributes demand growth to more connected devices, broader broadband access in developing markets, faster connections and applications that require high-capacity links. But rising user demand will not necessarily require an equal expansion of international backbones. Direct links to content providers and caching can keep a larger share of data within regional networks.

Artificial intelligence still accounts for a small share of international traffic compared with streaming video and social media. AI-related traffic nevertheless grew in 2025 by 90% on fixed networks and 80% on mobile networks. If that pace continues, the report says, AI’s effect on international networks will become more significant.

Large content providers are expanding private networks faster than traditional internet backbones. Cloud and content-delivery network companies, along with some data-center operators, also use private infrastructure, which now carries a growing share of international data. New cable routes and regional connections could make content delivery more local and reduce reliance on distant network hubs.

Most global network ports currently operate at 100 Gbps, while demand for 400 Gbps ports is increasing in Europe and the United States. In late September, Meta✴ announced Petal, a roughly 7,000-kilometre transatlantic cable with a stated capacity of 1 petabit per second. It is planned to link the United States and France and enter service in 2029. Meta is also behind the 2Africa cable system and is developing Waterworth.