A recent study by cable.co.uk says Nigeria has the 31st lowest internet cost in the world. At the country’s exchange rate of N1000, 1GB of data costs $0.39.
Nigeria is one of the countries with affordable internet, but there are significant differences between the numbers. In Nigeria, 1GB of data costs anywhere from $0.13 to $1.64, showing the wide range of prices.
The study found that only six Sub-Saharan African countries are among the 50 cheapest in the world. Malawi has the cheapest internet at $0.38, while Zimbabwe, Saint Helena, and South Sudan have some of the most expensive. This makes it harder for people to get online.
In Northern Africa, Western Sahara has the cheapest mobile internet at $0.58. At home, Mauritania is the most expensive at $1.32. Northern Africa is the cheapest place in the world to buy 1GB of data, costing $0.86 on average.
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Mobile data costs worldwide
For 1GB of mobile data, the report lists the five most and least expensive countries. The most expensive are Zimbabwe ($43.75), the Falkland Islands ($40.58), and Saint Helena ($40.13). In Sub-Saharan Africa, three of these five nations are located, highlighting the region’s internet accessibility issues. Island nations with higher data charges also count.
Instead, Israel ($0.02), Italy ($0.09), and Fiji ($0.09) offer the cheapest mobile data. Italy offers the lowest mobile data in Western Europe, indicating advanced infrastructure. Israel’s 5G leadership provides inexpensive data and cutting-edge technologies.
Remarkably, the US ranks 219th in the world for mobile data prices, with an average of 1GB costing USD 6.00.
Our yearly mobile data pricing tracking study measures data quantity and price, according to Cable.co.uk consumer telecoms specialist Dan Howdle. Country with the greatest improved (cheaper) pricing during the five years our tracker presently covers tend to offer tens or hundreds of times more data in 2023 for similar money in 2019.
It’s great that most countries offer 1GB of mobile data for less than USD 2.00. Outlook is very different from 2019.
Global economic weakness lowers data prices.
According to the survey, cellphone data charges vary everywhere. Even though the economy is struggling, the survey found that 1G mobile data prices are falling in 237 nations.
The analysis reveals which nations have reduced data prices per GB by 97% or more over time. Only a few countries have raised data pricing. Infrequent events like currency fluctuations or international events cause this. Prices rise when Syria goes to war, or the local currency fluctuates considerably from the US dollar.
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How nations were classified
The study divides countries into four types to explain the different prices for mobile data:
Excellent infrastructure: Countries with strong 4G or 5G networks tend to offer more data for less money because their data rates are higher or they have unlimited plans.
Heavy Reliance: Countries with few fixed-line broadband options depend heavily on mobile data, which makes the market more competitive and drives down prices.
Small Data Consumption: In countries with basic or overused infrastructure, people tend to use less data and pay more per GB.
Prosperous Economy: Richer countries have good data caps, but their prices are closer to the world average because they have to pay more for their infrastructure.