Broadband Prices Across the World: Which Countries Offer the Best and Worst Deals in 2023?
Broadband is a crucial aspect of modern life, as it enables people to connect to the internet, work remotely, attend virtual meetings, stream entertainment, and access digital services. According to a recent study by Cable.co.uk, which analyzed 3,703 broadband packages across 219 countries, Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have some of the cheapest broadband prices worldwide. Broadband Prices Across the World 2023
Cable.co.uk analyzed the data across 219 countries between January 2 and March 1, 2023. The study has shown that Europe has the cheapest broadband prices globally, with Romania, Bulgaria, and Kosovo having the lowest package prices. Meanwhile, Sudan has the lowest broadband cost worldwide, averaging $2.30 per month, while Burundi has the highest at $383.79 per month. Broadband Prices Across the World 2023
Eastern Europe and the CIS have cheap broadband prices Across the World 2023
Eastern Europe, along with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), has some of the cheapest broadband prices worldwide. Romania, Bulgaria, and Kosovo are the cheapest in Eastern Europe, while Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Belarus are the most affordable in the CIS. On the other hand, Slovenia, Czechia, and Montenegro are the most expensive in Eastern Europe.
There are 14 qualifying countries in the Eastern Europe region, all of which are in the top half of the table, with one (Romania) making it into the top ten, and 11 others in the top 50. Overall the region averages EUR 16.10 per month, making it the second cheapest region in the world. The cheapest three were Romania (EUR 6.29, 5th), Bulgaria (EUR 10.58, 16th) and Kosovo (EUR 10.63, 17th). The most expensive three were Slovenia (EUR 35.61, 98th), Czechia (EUR 20.08, 51st), and Montenegro (EUR 19.52, 48th).
The Baltics, comprising three countries, ranked entirely within the top 90, coming in fourth-cheapest overall regionally, with a regional average price of EUR 20.39. Latvia fared best in 24th place overall, with an average price of EUR 13.29. Lithuania followed, in 38th place overall with an average price of EUR 16.32. Estonia trailed in third position, in 84th place overall and an average of EUR 31.03 per month.
Of the 12 CIS nations in the table, with the exception of Turkmenistan, all can be found in the top 50 cheapest in the table, making it the cheapest region in the world for broadband. The region had an average monthly price of EUR 12.91. The cheapest nations were Kazakhstan (EUR 4.37, 2nd), Moldova (EUR 6.00, 3rd), and Belarus (EUR 6.24, 4th). In comparison, the most expensive countries in the region were Turkmenistan (EUR 38.77, 109th), Tajikistan (EUR 20.29, 49th) and Armenia (EUR 14.36, 29th).
Asia and Africa have the most expensive broadband packages
In the Asia region, Iran, Nepal, and India offer the cheapest broadband, while Bhutan, Timor-Leste, and Hong Kong have the most expensive packages. On the other hand, the African region has expensive broadband prices, with Burundi and Libya being the most expensive.
The 15 countries in the Near East measured for this year’s broadband pricing league span the entire table. The average price for the region is EUR 43.56. The cheapest countries were Turkey (EUR 11.07, 18th), Lebanon (EUR 15.60, 35th) and Syria (EUR 21.21, 53rd). The most expensive were the United Arab Emirates (EUR 93.50, 198th), Oman (EUR 78.38, 190th) and Saudi Arabia (EUR 73.82, 186th).
Northern Africa has the cheapest broadband in Africa Broadband Prices Across the World 2023
The Northern African countries have the most affordable broadband in the African region, with Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya being the cheapest. Senegal, Morocco, and Algeria are the most expensive in the region.
The six countries in Northern Africa all feature in the cheapest half of the table, with three countries in the top 40. The average price in the region is EUR 19.15. The cheapest was Egypt (EUR 8.24, 9th), followed by Tunisia (EUR 12.37, 21st), and Libya (EUR 15.95, 36th). The most expensive was Senegal (EUR 33.84, 91st), followed by Morocco (EUR 27.80, 71st) and Algeria (EUR 17.55, 42nd).
Caribbean and Central American countries have expensive broadband
The Caribbean islands tend to have high broadband costs, with the Turks and Caicos Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and the Cayman Islands being the most expensive. Meanwhile, Central American countries have varying broadband prices, with Mexico, Ecuador, and Bolivia being the most affordable, and Honduras, El Salvador, and Panama has the most expensive packages.
Island Life Isn’t Cheap: The Caribbean’s High-Cost Broadband Packages
The Caribbean is a region of island nations where the average cost of fixed broadband tends to be high. The average package price is EUR 70.54, with most countries featured in the more expensive half of the table. The cheapest countries in the region were Cuba (EUR 25.15, 66th), Dominican Republic (EUR 33.13, 89th), and Martinique (EUR 36.41, 97th), while the Turks and Caicos Islands (EUR 160.98, 216th), the British Virgin Islands (EUR 143.04, 213th), and the Cayman Islands (EUR 124.80, 211th) were the most expensive.
Most Central American countries found themselves sitting in the middle of the league table. The region as a whole has an average package price of EUR 36.40, but there is a wide price difference across the area. Mexico is the cheapest (EUR 26.24, 68th), followed by Ecuador (EUR 29.78, 80th), and Bolivia (EUR 30.45, 83rd). Meanwhile, the most expensive average prices in the region are found in Honduras (EUR 41.08, 127th), El Salvador (EUR 41.08, 126th), and Panama (EUR 39.20, 122nd).
North America Has the Most Expensive Broadband Prices in the World
Four countries were recorded in Northern America, and all of them sit in the bottom half of the table. The region as a whole has an average price of EUR 86.76, making it the most expensive region in the world. Canada was the cheapest (EUR 48.27, 136th), followed by the United States (EUR 49.99, 146th) and Greenland (EUR 95.88, 199th). Bermuda was the most expensive in the region (EUR 154.54, 214th).
Australia and New Zealand Offer Relatively Affordable Broadband in Oceania
Of the 15 qualifying countries in Oceania, most were in the bottom half of the table. The region has an overall average price of EUR 75.59. The cheapest in the region was New Caledonia (EUR 27.07, 72nd), with New Zealand in second place (EUR 42.39, 119th), and Australia (EUR 44.95, 125th) in third. The most expensive in the region was Christmas Island (EUR 122.65, 210th) followed by Solomon Islands (EUR 116.70, 209th) and Samoa (EUR 113.24, 208th).
Commenting on the findings of the research, Dan Howdle, consumer telecoms analyst at Cable.co.uk, said: “It is not altogether too surprising that the most advanced, developed nations tend to have some of the most expensive broadband. After all, earnings are higher, and investment and rollout of new technologies tends to be ahead of the curve. Or so one would think.
It is interesting, however, that the cheapest broadband in the world tends to be in Eastern Europe and CIS nations. These countries tend to have some of the most advanced infrastructure (high % full fibre FTTP coverage), and are somehow able to offer it to users at very low prices. In a way, it obliterates the notion that regions such as Western Europe and North America pay more because of the cost of rolling out new technologies, and actually points more readily to the idea that people in these countries are made to pay more simply because they can be.”
Conclusion Broadband Prices Across the World 2023
In today’s world, where digital connectivity is essential, access to affordable broadband is critical. The latest study shows that broadband prices vary greatly across the world. However, Europe dominates the cheapest broadband prices worldwide, with Eastern Europe and the CIS having some of the lowest prices. Meanwhile, Africa and Asia tend to have more expensive broadband prices.
