Global Mobile Data Affordability Report Ranks Cambodia As 78th Most Affordable
Broadband Genie has conducted a study on the global landscape of mobile data pricing and affordability, and Cambodia was ranked 78th, while Singapore topped the list for offering the most affordable mobile data in the world.
The study compared the "relationship between the cost of a mobile phone contract with 10GB+ of mobile data and the average salary in each country" according to the company's press release.
For chart-topping Singapore, a mobile phone contract typically costs USD $17.13, equivalent to 0.35% of an average wage (USD $4,920.86). The Southeast Asian country was followed by Luxembourg (2nd), Israel (3rd), Iceland (4th) and United Kingdom (5th) for data affordability.
Worldwide, the average spend on mobile data is £19.19 (approximately USD $24), which represents 4.2 per cent of an average salary.
The comprehensive study includes 179 countries and over 70,000 phone contracts were analysed.
Regional Mobile Data Affordability
Broadband Genie - Regional Mobile Data Affordability
Europe
Alex Tofts, telecoms expert at Broadband Genie, said: “It should be no surprise to see many European countries at the top of the study. These countries benefit from having a competitive mobile market which drives down prices for consumers. Coupled with having the highest wages in the world, almost more than double any other continent, it is ahead of the competition when it comes to mobile data affordability."
- Europe has the most affordable mobile data in the world, on average costing USD $21.96, equivalent to 1.37 per cent of an average salary.
South America
On the regional differences, Tofts added; “South America has the cheapest mobile data, however, because average salaries are on average the lowest in the world, the purchasing power of consumers is less, and therefore the continent finishes behind Europe and Asia.
- The continent of South America has the cheapest mobile in the world (USD $16.90) but the lowest average salaries in the world, meaning the purchasing power of residents is reduced.
- On average, mobile data is equal to 4.43 per cent of an average salary - so Europe has the most affordable mobile data in the world, spending 1.37 per cent of an average salary on a data SIM plan.
Cambodia & Asia
For Asia, Tofts commented, “Asia is the only continent that has countries in the top and bottom 5 of the study. Specifically in Western Asia, Israel finishes in a lofty 3rd, but Syria is 176th."
China has one of the fastest mobile network infrastructures globally and is leading the 5G rollout and coverage while the Philippines is placed in the bottom ten (170th).
Cambodia is ranked 78th with the costs consuming 2.13 per cent of annual salaries compared to globally, where people spend 4.09 per cent of their salary on a mobile phone plan with 10GB+ of data. According to the study, the average amount spent on mobile broadband per month is USD $5.94 (and the average salary is USD $278.68).
For Southeast Asia, the average data costs are recorded as USD $18.23 and average salaries are USD $1,139.94.
Some of Cambodia's neighbours are ranked as; Thailand (98), Vietnam (48), and Laos (158).
- The sub-continent of Central Asia has the cheapest mobile data (USD $8.88).
- European and Asian countries take up the majority top 20 most affordable due to greater purchasing power from higher wages and reasonable tariff prices.
- Asia has the second most affordable mobile data, on average spending 3.21 per cent of an average salary on a phone contract with mobile broadband included.
Africa
Three of the bottom five countries for data affordability are in the Western African region. “The highest placed country from Africa is Lesotho in 18th, but the majority of African countries are in the bottom half of the study.
Some of the larger economies of Africa finished outside the top 100, Algeria (124th), Egypt (141st) and Nigeria (143rd). On average, mobile data costs USD $23.02, cheaper than North America and Oceania but because of the second lowest wages in the world, Africa is the lowest-ranked continent in the study.”
On the least affordable side, Guinea has the least affordable mobile data where, on average, mobile data costs residents USD $115.58, which is over half (56.29 per cent) of their salary.
Most Affordable Mobile Data In The World - Broadband Genie Report 2024
- Singapore has the most affordable mobile data in the world, while Guinea has the least affordable data in the world.
- Of some of the most economically powerful nations - they were ranked as; China (51st), United States (35th), Japan (41st), Germany (13th), India (11th).
- The world average spend on mobile data is USD $24.20, equivalent to 4.09 per cent of an average salary.
How Was The Broadband Genie Study Run
Broadband Genie says online, "While the majority of countries mainly use mobile data for lighter activities such as emails, social media, messaging or VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) apps (such as WhatsApp), this isn’t the case for all countries. In areas where there is a limited fixed-line connection infrastructure, mobile data is the go-to for internet connectivity. Essential for employers, education, and healthcare. Our comprehensive study has highlighted that access to affordable mobile data is not a given for everyone globally. We compared the average cost of a mobile phone monthly plan with 10GB+ data against average wages to determine the mobile data affordability rating for 179 countries worldwide."
Broadband Genie is an independent switching site launched in 2004, providing consumers and businesses with practical help, advice and price comparison for home broadband, mobile broadband, phones, TV services and mobile accessories.