Highest Priced Broadband Rates Found in Estonia Among Baltic States
Cheap or Costly? Checking Out the Global Broadband Landscape
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Estonia's Expensive Broadband in the Baltics
In the Baltic region, Estonia boasts the priciest broadband deals, setting you back an average of $31.21 (€28.80) monthly according to cable.co.uk. On the flip side, Latvia offers the wallet-friendly option with an average bill of just $16.59 a month. Lithuania is a close second, charging $16.94.
The World's Broadband Rankings
On the global stage, Estonia ranks 71st for cheap internet, while Latvia and Lithuania take spots 30th and 31st respectively. To get a better idea of these prices in relation to the rest of the world, consider Finland's costs, which place the Nordic country 93rd, or Sweden's at 83rd. Denmark and Norway, also Nordic nations, rank 94th and 176th — Norway's exorbitant $80.18 being among the highest in the world.
Cable.co.uk's 2023 Comparison
In their analysis, cable.co.uk examined 3,405 broadband plans across 223 countries and territories from September 7th to November 10th, 2023. Surprisingly, the least expensive broadband can currently be found in Sudan with a price tag of $2.40 a month. It's worth noting that Sudan's low cost may partly be due to its currency's decline against the US dollar.
Eastern Europe's Affordable Internet
Solomon Islands lays claim to being the world's priciest broadband destination, with package costs averaging a whopping $457.84 per month. Hop over to Eastern Europe, and you'll discover that Ukraine and Romania make the top ten for budget-friendly broadband. On average, users in Ukraine spend only $7.35, with Romania following close behind at $8.60. To top it off, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Croatia all offer cheaper internet than Estonia in the region.
Western Europe's Broadband Prices
The 29 countries of Western Europe span the middle to bottom of the table, with none making the top 50 and just two landing in the bottom 50. Compared to Eastern Europe, Western Europe tends to be more expensive, with the regional average broadband price coming in at $50.01. Malta houses the cheapest broadband in the region at around $27.01, followed by Italy at $30.97 and Spain at $31.99. Unsurprisingly, the Faroe Islands, Norway, and Iceland land among the most expensive at $83.86, $80.18, and $76.24 respectively.
Cable.co.uk and Beyond
Established in 2005, cable.co.uk is a UK-based comparison website that aims to help consumers compare broadband, TV, landline, and mobile phone deals. As noted by their studies, the cost of broadband varies drastically across countries and regions, with some Asian and Eastern European nations frequently offering tantalizingly low rates. On the flip side, Western Europe and parts of North America tend to have higher costs, while developing regions typically have higher prices relative to income and limited speed options.
Despite Estonia ranking 71st globally for cheap internet, the technology industry in Estonia might find it challenging to compete financially due to high broadband costs. Given that Ukraine offers budget-friendly broadband with an average monthly cost of $7.35, exploring potential technological collaborations with Eastern European countries might be beneficial for Estonia's finance and technology industry.
