You must have picked your jaw from the floor in some store in a foreign country at some point in life, after hearing about the shockingly expensive data and calling rates there for the first time. You must have wondered why India is so low on its rates in comparison and whined a little less about call drops when back on your soil.
Well, it's kind of a jolt to many jaws. India keeps hovering around the fifth or third position on the ranks of the cheapest rates for 1 GB of data; the average cost is, often, somewhere between Rs 12-13 for 1 GB of data. The World Mobile Data Pricing Report 2022 put India amongst the top five countries with the cheapest mobile data plans. India (USD 0.17) is tucked comfortably between USD 0.04 for Israel and USD 41.06 for Saint Helena, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean when we look at an average cost of 1GB of data.
Turns out that Sub-Saharan Africa is the fourth-most expensive region in the world for mobile data generally. The average price of 1GB of mobile data in all four North American countries goes past the global average of USD 2.59, making it the most expensive region overall-as picked in a recent Cable.co.uk report. India, again, was in the 'cheaper' league here at 0.16 USD for 1GB.
So, are we really that lucky? How? And how long will this gap between India and other countries persist? Let's do some hair-splitting.
CRACKING THE 'LOW-COST' MATHS
Denne historien er fra December,2023-utgaven av Voice and Data.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December,2023-utgaven av Voice and Data.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Data discomfort: Why India's data connectivity speeds are falling
India is one of the world’s biggest markets for 5G Internet services, but that has come at the cost of connectivity speed—at least for now
A full-stack mission to orbit
With its all-in-one model, Dhruva Space is merging satellite design, launch, and support under one roof to streamline India's space-tech future
5G dreams: A tech revolution hits roadblocks
India's swift 5G rollout encounters hurdles as operators struggle to monetise their investment, with sluggish consumer and enterprise adoption stalling growth
Empowering India's next-gen business pathways
Cloud, data centres, and 5G form a powerful trio, shaping India’s digital future with scalable infrastructure, seamless connectivity, and rapid innovation
Interconnected technologies, unlocking enterprise growth potential
The synergy of AI, IoT, and 5G is transforming business operations, enabling smarter decision-making and paving the way for scalable, data-driven growth
Beyond the 5G horizon, a new era of user expectations
Telecom experts explore a future beyond 5G, revealing how Al, loT, and secure infrastructure will transform industries and meet rising user demands
Unfolding India’s digital journey beyond 5G
India’s telecom leaders envision a future of next-gen connectivity, aiming for a digitally inclusive landscape driven by innovation and sustainable growth
Digital infrastructure: not the Achilles' heel but the jugular
As cyber threats intensify, digital infrastructure faces rising risks, demanding vigilant, multi-layered defences to ensure resilience for the future.
BUILDING SMARTER HIGHWAYS IN TELECOM'S NEW DIGITAL FRONTIER
Autonomous networks enable telcos to streamline operations, enhance services, and reduce costs, driving efficiency in a data-driven, hyperconnected world
Pre-zero data dreams: Are AI smartphones leading the way?
Artificial Intelligence can unlock personalised insights, ushering in a new era of data-driven experiences that anticipate user needs before they are expressed.
