India ranks third globally for the lowest mobile data rates: Report

A recent study conducted by Cable.co.uk, a UK-based price comparison website, analyzed the average cost of 1GB of mobile internet data across 233 countries worldwide. The study took into account 5,292 mobile data plans. 

The results revealed that India holds the position of having the third lowest data rate at USD 0.17 (~ Rs 13.98). This is primarily due to the presence of three major telecom operators, 4G and 5G connectivity, the price war initiated by Jio and various types of mobile network plans that cater to India’s huge active cell phone user base.

The study found that the average mobile data rates across the world vary greatly. The cheapest data rate was observed in Israel, where 1GB of data on average costs just USD 0.04 (~ Rs 3.29). On the other hand, the highest data rate was seen in Saint Helena, an island part of the British Overseas Territory, where 1GB of data costs USD 41.06 (~ Rs 3,376). The rates in India are one of the cheapest at just Rs 13.98 for 1GB of mobile internet data. 

This demonstrates the significant difference in the rates that users in different countries have to pay for the same amount of mobile data. For instance, the average data rates in Saint Helena are over 241 times more expensive than what users in India pay. Similarly, users in countries like China, the UK, and the USA pay more than 2 times, 4.5 times, and 33 times more, respectively, for 1GB of data compared to users in India.

In recent years, India has seen a great level of smartphone penetration and a tremendous improvement in modern internet facilities. The country is also on its way to providing its users with the latest 5G connectivity. Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have recently expanded their 5G network coverages to J&K and the North Eastern Indian States.