Broadband still expensive in LDCs

Important: for the latest statistics and estimates, refer to Measuring digital development Facts and figures 2020

Broadband prices as a percentage of GNI p.c., 2019

Note: Data thresholds based on the ITU price baskets

(see https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/ICTprices/default.aspx)

In 2018, the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development set as a target for 2025 that entry-level broadband services should be made affordable in developing countries, corresponding to less than 2 per cent of monthly Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.

In 2019, in 61 countries, a fixed-broadband subscription including 5 GB of data costs less than 2 per cent of GNI per capita.

A mobile-broadband subscription with a 1.5 GB data package costs less than 2 per cent of GNI per capita in 89 countries, including four LDCs.

Although considerable progress has been made in recent years, affordability remains a challenge in many countries, especially LDCs.

Bundled mobile broadband prices, PPP$, 2019

Note: Simple averages, based on the economies for which data on mobile-broadband prices were available. High usage refers to a bundle including 140 minutes of voice, 70 SMS, and 1.5 GB of data. Low usage refers to a bundle including 70 minutes of voice, 20 SMS, and 500 MB of data. Source: ITU.

A high-usage mobile broadband bundle, which includes 140 minutes of voice, 70 SMS and 1.5 GB of data, costs on average just under USD 40 in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, although there is a significant difference between developed countries (31 PPP$) and LDCs (45 PPP$).

A low-usage bundle of 70 minutes of voice, 20 SMS and 500 MB of data has an average price of 25 PPP$, with very little difference between developed countries, developing countries and LDCs.

The CIS region has the lowest prices, while in Africa mobile broadband bundles are the most expensive.