What Is The Broadband Cost By Country? Exploring The Cost of Connectivity

From education and entertainment to communication and commerce, the Internet has become essential to more than 5.16 billion users worldwide.  However, the cost of reliable broadband connection significantly varies from country to country due to several factors, including:

• Infrastructure development
• Competition among Internet service providers
• Government policies

To further explore how these factors interplay in diverse internet pricing, we have compiled the internet connectivity prices of different countries from reliable sources. Continue reading this article to learn what the broadband cost by country is.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• The global average cost for broadband internet is $61 per month, but significant variations exist across countries.
  Factors such as population density, infrastructure development, competition among service providers, and government policies contribute to these disparities.
• North America and the Caribbean: The region’s average monthly cost is $77.36, 27% higher than the global average.Turks and Caicos has the highest cost at $199, while Mexico offers the most affordable internet at $26.35.
• South America Broadband affordability varies, with an average cost of $60.Suriname has the highest cost at $269.44, while Paraguay has the lowest at $19.48.
• Europe Europe has the most affordable broadband, averaging $31.01 per month.Ukraine has the lowest cost at $7.87, while Iceland has the highest at $78.04.
• Asia The continent averages $36.31, with China ($13.73) and India ($9.48) offering relatively low-cost broadband.Some exceptions, such as Turkmenistan ($224.68) and Bhutan ($120.38), have high internet costs.
• Africa The continent’s average monthly cost is $68.04, with Burundi having the highest at $383.79 and Sudan the lowest at $2.30.Challenges in deploying infrastructure in vast rural areas contribute to higher costs.
• Australia and Oceania The region has the highest average monthly cost at $88.32.Papua New Guinea has the highest cost at $271.27, while Tuvalu has the lowest at $10.89.

Average Total Cost of Internet Service By Country

The global average cost for broadband internet is $61 per month. This figure is a benchmark, yet it masks vast disparities across countries. 

In countries with low population density and challenging terrain, internet costs are higher due to expensive infrastructure deployment and low return on investment for providers. In contrast, densely populated countries with robust infrastructure and multiple internet providers tend to have lower internet prices.

Given the wide range of internet service costs worldwide, let’s examine the specific prices for average broadband cost for 60 Mbps to unlimited data on cable/ADSL in different countries.

North America and the Caribbean

While most of the region boasts robust infrastructure, the average monthly cost of $77.36 exceeds the global average by 27%. Turks and Caicos ($199) is the most expensive, while Mexico ($26.35) offers the most affordable internet.

Like most Caribbean nations, Turks and Caicos have relatively high average costs because of their smaller size, reliance on tourism, and the challenges of connecting remote islands. Meanwhile, Mexico has a more affordable average monthly broadband cost due to its government’s effort to make the Internet accessible to everyone. 

Here is the table showing the average monthly broadband cost in North American Countries:

South America

South America has a full spectrum of broadband affordability, with internet prices averaging $60. Paraguay has the cheapest average monthly internet cost at $19.48. Conversely, broadband connection is the least affordable in Suriname due to the state monopoly on fixed-line and broadband services. 

Here is the table showing the average monthly broadband cost in South American Countries:

Europe

Among all the regions, Europe has the most affordable monthly broadband, with an average cost of $31.01. The low connectivity cost is due to the European Union’s pledge to promote high-speed internet access for all households. 

The cheapest monthly broadband cost on the continent is Ukraine, which costs $7.87 per month. This inexpensive average cost can be attributed to several factors, including:

• intense ISP competition
• low cost of living
• geographical advantages
• government programs
• high-quality infrastructure

Iceland has the least affordable broadband cost in Europe ($78.04). One major factor that can contribute to the internet cost in Iceland is the low population density (3.7 inhabitants per square kilometer). Consequently, internet service providers must spend a lot on infrastructure to cover large distances to connect people to the Internet. 

Here is the table showing the average monthly broadband cost in European countries:

Asia

The world’s largest continent has affordable internet at an average of $36.31.Notably, China($13.73) and India($9.48) offer their 2.82 billion combined residents with broadband connections for an average of less than $20/month.  Several factors contribute to the relatively low cost of broadband internet in Asia, including:

• High competition
• Government support
• Economies of scale
• Lower infrastructure cost

Around 85% of the countries listed below have an internet cost average lower than the global average. For instance, extremely cheap internet is provided in Turkey ($8.77) and Sri Lanka ($9.48). 

The remaining 15% of countries on the list stand out as exceptions to the general broadband affordability in Asia. In some Asian countries, internet costs exceed $100, such as in Turkmenistan ($224.68) and Bhutan ($120.38).

Here is the table showing the average monthly broadband cost in Asian countries:

Africa

The cost of broadband in Africa still needs to be lowered for many people, with an average of $68.04. The continent’s relatively high internet cost can be due to vast rural areas where deploying network towers and fiber-optic cables is challenging and expensive.

Interestingly, Africa is home to the world’s most expensive and cheapest internet cost. Burundi’s broadband cost is the highest at $383.79 due to limited fiber optic networks and low demand for internet- making it hard for ISPs to recover their investments. 

On the other hand, Sudan has the lowest broadband cost in Africa at $2.30. The government subsidizing broadband infrastructure development in recent years and increased competition can be cited as the reason for this low internet cost.

Here is the table showing the average monthly broadband cost in African Countries:

Australia and Oceania

Australia and Oceania have the highest monthly broadband costs, with an average of $ 88.32. Papua New Guinea has the highest monthly internet cost at $271.27. In contrast, Tuvalu has the lowest at $10.89. 

11 countries in the region have an average monthly internet cost higher than the world’s average. A primary factor influencing this high average is the presence of multiple island nations, such as Fiji, Guam, Vanuatu, French Polynesia, etc. This remoteness makes installing and maintaining internet infrastructure difficult and expensive.

Here is the table showing the average monthly cost in African Countries:

Exploring the cost of internet services by country revealed interesting variations. Let’s now focus on the extremes and uncover the top 10 countries with the highest and cheapest internet costs.

Top 10 Countries With Most Expensive Broadband Cost

From remote islands to less favorable infrastructure investments, these nations grapple with unique hurdles contributing to their expensive connectivity. Here are the top 10 countries with the costliest monthly internet cost:

Transitioning to the flip side, our attention now turns to the top 10 countries grappling with the most expensive broadband costs.

Top 10 Countries With Cheapest Broadband Cost

Robust infrastructure, healthy competition, and innovative pricing models result in low-cost broadband for forward-thinking countries. Here are the top 10 countries with the cheapest monthly internet cost:

Conclusion

Broadband access costs vary significantly globally, influenced by infrastructure development, competition among internet service providers, and government policies. This article has shed light on the diverse landscape of internet pricing, revealing notable trends and exceptions.

 As societies rely heavily on connectivity, the internet has become a basic need that can radically impact someone’s life. Unfortunately, as with other essential needs like water, food, and health care, access to affordable internet would depend on the country where you are.

FAQs on Broadband Cost by Country

Why is the Internet cheaper in some countries?

Many of the cheapest countries offer large amounts of data at affordable prices because of excellent mobile and fixed broadband infrastructure. Another factor is competition and market structure among service providers, which are the primary reasons for lower internet prices in some countries.

Why is my internet is so expensive?

Several factors can influence the cost of internet service, and the specific characteristics can vary depending on your location, the type of internet service, and the service provider. Here are some common factors that can determine the price of internet service:

• Internet speed
• availability
• installation, equipment, and extra fees
• Internet connection type
• price hikes
• data caps
• annual contracts.

Is there a country with free broadband internet?

One country that aims to offer free broadband connection is Estonia. The country has implemented a nationwide initiative called “Digital Estonia,” which provides free Wi-Fi access in public spaces nationwide.

Sources

• Numbeo
• Emerging-Europe
• ISOC
• Atlas & Boots
• World Population Review
• Atlas & Boots

By Jalluri Sirisha

Sirisha is a networking enthusiast with a bachelor's degree in computer science and engineering. She has developed a keen interest in Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and has gone the extra mile to gain firsthand experience and knowledge.