Amid the 5G spectrum auction, India has been ranked fifth for the cheapest mobile data pricing in the world, says a new report.
According to the report by Cable.co.uk, the five cheapest countries in terms of the average cost of 1 GB of mobile data are Israel ($0.04), Italy ($0.12), San Marino ($0.14), Fiji ($0.15), and India ($0.17) in the Worldwide Mobile Data Pricing 2022 list.
Meanwhile, the five most expensive countries in terms of the average cost of 1 GB of mobile data are Saint Helena ($41.06), the Falkland Islands ($38.45), Sao Tome and Principe ($29.49), Tokelau ($17.88) and Yemen ($16.58).
The researchers uncovered four main country archetypes -- excellent infrastructure, heavy reliance, small consumption, and wealthy economy -- that go the greatest distance to explaining the expense, or lack of, mobile data across the globe.
The report said that Asian nations made up a third of the top 20 cheapest countries for mobile data, with both India ($0.17) and Nepal ($0.27) in the top ten.
Only three Asian countries are more expensive than the global average of $3.12 -- Japan ($3.85), British Indian Ocean Territory ($5.00) and South Korea, the most expensive in the region at $12.55.
In February, India's leading telecom operator Reliance Jio introduced the country's cheapest prepaid recharge plan, which cost Re 1 and had a validity of 30 days. The most affordable recharge plan offers 100 MB of data with 30 days of validity. Meanwhile, a MTNL plan is said to offer 90 days validity that will be available for only Rs 47.
Meanwhile, the five most expensive countries in terms of the average cost of 1 GB of mobile data are Saint Helena ($41.06), the Falkland Islands ($38.45), Sao Tome and Principe ($29.49), Tokelau ($17.88) and Yemen ($16.58).
The researchers uncovered four main country archetypes -- excellent infrastructure, heavy reliance, small consumption, and wealthy economy -- that go the greatest distance to explaining the expense, or lack of, mobile data across the globe.
The report said that Asian nations made up a third of the top 20 cheapest countries for mobile data, with both India ($0.17) and Nepal ($0.27) in the top ten.
Only three Asian countries are more expensive than the global average of $3.12 -- Japan ($3.85), British Indian Ocean Territory ($5.00) and South Korea, the most expensive in the region at $12.55.
In February, India's leading telecom operator Reliance Jio introduced the country's cheapest prepaid recharge plan, which cost Re 1 and had a validity of 30 days. The most affordable recharge plan offers 100 MB of data with 30 days of validity. Meanwhile, a MTNL plan is said to offer 90 days validity that will be available for only Rs 47.