The Global Divide in Internet Costs. Access to the internet may be a necessity in the modern world, but the price consumers pay for this essential service varies wildly across the globe.
A recent comprehensive analysis of fixed broadband costs reveals a dramatic gap between the most expensive nations, clustered in the Gulf and parts of Africa, and the cheapest markets in Eastern Europe.
The Most Expensive Digital Access
At the top of the price list, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) holds the title for the world’s most costly fixed broadband, with consumers paying an average of $4.31 per megabit per second (Mbps). This price is nearly double that of the next most expensive country, highlighting unique market dynamics in the Gulf region.
Africa’s telecommunications market faces significant hurdles, with Ghana ranking as the second most expensive country globally, and the leader on the African continent, with an average price of $2.58 per Mbps.
The high costs in these regions are attributed to a combination of factors, including limited market competition, challenging infrastructure deployment, and complex regulatory environments. Several other countries also register costs exceeding the $1.00 per Mbps mark, including Switzerland ($2.07), Kenya ($1.54), and Morocco ($1.16). Even Nigeria, a major continental economy, sees costs average around $0.72 per Mbps.
The World’s Most Affordable Internet
In stark contrast to the high-cost markets, vast swaths of the world benefit from highly affordable internet access. Eastern Europe is the clear leader in global affordability, driven by robust market competition and considerable government investment in digital infrastructure.
Romania offers the cheapest fixed broadband in the world, averaging a mere $0.01 per Mbps. It is closely followed by Russia ($0.02) and Poland ($0.03).
Asian markets are also highly competitive, with countries like Vietnam, China, and South Korea delivering some of the fastest internet speeds at extremely low prices, sometimes costing as little as $0.05 per Mbps.
For reference, the global average cost for fixed broadband stands at approximately $0.42 per Mbps. Many developed Western economies fall below this average, demonstrating a general trend toward affordability in established markets.
The United States, for instance, ranks among the more affordable nations, with internet service priced at an average of $0.08 per Mbps. Other economies like France and Japan similarly maintain costs well below the global average.
The disparities in pricing underscore the ongoing challenges faced by emerging economies in achieving universal and affordable digital access, a crucial step for unlocking their full digital economy potential.