Baltic countries' broadband price leader: Estonia boasts priciest connections
Broadband Costs Across the World: A Deep Dive
kicked off a discussion about the affordability of broadband internet services in different regions, focusing on the Baltic states and the rest of Europe. According to cable.co.uk, a UK-based comparison site, Estonia leads the pack with the priciest broadband bills in the Baltics, amounting to an average of $31.21 (€28.80) per month.
contrarily, Latvia takes the crown for the most budget-friendly broadband in the Baltics, with an average monthly cost of $16.59. Lithuania follows closely with a monthly cost of $16.94. When compared to the world rankings, Estonia makes the list at 71st for the cheapest internet, while Latvia and Lithuania slot in at 30th and 31st, respectively.
The Nordic countries, however, boast significantly higher monthly broadband costs. Finland, for instance, sits at the 93rd cheapest spot worldwide with $38.15 per month, followed by Sweden ($34.05), Denmark ($38.19), and Norway ($80.18).
As part of the analysis, cable.co.uk scrutinized 3,405 broadband plans in 223 countries and territories between 7 September and 10 November 2023. They found that Sudan currently offers the cheapest broadband deal globally, priced at a mere $2.40 per month. However, this ranking is partially attributed to the Sudanese pound's devaluation against the US dollar, the site mentioned in its analysis.
delving into Eastern Europe, Ukraine and Romania made the top ten list for the most affordable broadband. Monthly internet costs $7.35 in Ukraine and $8.60 in Romania on average. Besides Estonia, countries like Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Croatia also offer cheaper internet packages in the region.
In Western Europe, countries like Malta ($27.01), Italy ($30.97), and Spain ($31.99) ranked much more affordably, while the Faroe Islands ($83.86), Norway ($80.18), and Iceland ($76.24) commanded the priciest internet services in the region.
Estonia, despite its high-cost rank among the Baltics, is recognized for having exceptionally affordable internet services compared to other European countries. The country's highly competitive market and robust telecommunications infrastructure contribute to its comparatively low internet costs in Europe.
For more insights on broadband costs in Eastern Europe:
- Azerbaijan: Approximately $16.59 per month for fixed broadband internet[2].
- Russia: The monthly fixed-line internet subscription fee was approximately 608 Russian rubles (around $8-9 USD, depending on the exchange rate)[3].
Cable.co.uk is a British comparison website established in 2005 to help consumers compare broadband, TV, landline, and mobile phone deals. You can stay connected by analyzing their wide range of services through Share96, Tweet, LinkedIn, or Email. Stay informed to make the best decisions for your internet needs!
- Among the countries in Eastern Europe, Azerbaijan offers reasonably priced broadband internet at an average monthly cost of approximately $16.59.
- Despite being deemed the priciest in the Baltic states, Estonia's overall internet costs are still relatively low compared to many other European countries.
- In the European industry of finance, Romania and Ukraine are recognized for having some of the most affordable broadband internet packages, with an average monthly cost of $8.60 and $7.35 respectively.
- Comparatively, Russia levies a monthly fixed-line internet subscription fee that approximates around 608 Russian rubles, which translates to about $8-9 USD, depending on the exchange rate.
