The results of a global study on the price of 1 GB of mobile data was recently published. Here, we examine the results reported for the 31 Caribbean countries included in the exercise, and discuss the results.

 

Consistent with the exercises they have undertaken in the past, earlier this month, the United Kingdom telecoms firm, The Cable, published the results of a recent study on the cost of 1 GB of mobile data. The exercise covered 230 countries worldwide, and required the examination of over 6,300 mobile data plans (Source: The Cable).

In this the first Snapshot of 2019, we present the results recorded for the Caribbean countries included in the survey, and briefly discuss the findings.

 

Approach used by The Cable

In the last quarter of 2018, the mobile data plans available in 230 countries were surveyed and examined, and the following results were determined for each of the countries, which thereafter, were converted to United States Dollars (USD):

  • the cheapest price for 1 GB of mobile data
  • the most expensive price for 1 GB of mobile data
  • the average price for 1 GB of mobile data.

In the Caribbean region, 31 countries were included in the survey, and Table 1 shows the number of mobile data plans that were examined for each country.

Table 1: List of Caribbean countries surveyed in 2018 and the number of plans examined (Source: The Cable)

It must be emphasised that the exercise was not restricted to examining 1 GB mobile data plans only. It would have comprised all, or a wide cross-section of the data plans available, and subsequently, to determine the price per GB payable.

 

Cheapest price for 1GB of mobile data

Figure 1 highlights the cheapest price for 1 GB of mobile data across the Caribbean. The price ranged between USD 0.46 and USD 11.25.

Figure 1: Cheapest price for 1 GB of mobile data in select Caribbean countries in 2018 (Source: The Cable)

 

The lowest prices were recorded in Haiti (USD 0.46), which was followed by Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin, at USD 0.56. At the other end of the spectrum is Cuba, where the price was USD 11.25. Cuba was followed by the Turks and Caicos Islands, at USD 10.00, and Trinidad and Tobago, at USD 9.79.

 

 Most expensive price for 1GB of mobile data

The most expensive prices for 1 GB of mobile data across the Caribbean is shown in Figure 2, which ranged from USD 3.12, in the Dominican Republic, to USD 143.69, in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Figure 2: Most expensive price for 1 GB of mobile data in select Caribbean countries in 2018 (Source: The Cable)

 

In addition to the Dominican Republic, the least expensive prices were recorded in Belize and Jamaica, at USD 7.43. At the other end of the spectrum, and in addition to the Turks and Caicos Islands, the more expensive prices were recorded in Antigua and Barbuda, at USD 61.39, and the United States Virgin Islands, at US 59.96.

 

Average price for 1GB of mobile data

Finally, Figure 3 presents the average price for 1 GB of mobile data across the region. The lowest price was recorded in the Dominican Republic, at USD 1.88, whilst the highest price, USD 26.79, for 1 GB, was recorded in the Cayman Islands.

Figure: Average price for 1 GB of mobile data in select Caribbean countries in 2018 (Source: The Cable)

 

In addition to the Dominican Republic, the lowest prices were recorded in Belize, at USD 4.57, and Jamaica, at USD 4.64. Conversely, and in addition to the Cayman Islands, the highest prices were recorded in the Turks and Caicos Islands, at USD 23.09, and the British Virgin Islands, at USD 18.35.

 

Some thoughts on the results

First, from the results recorded, the price for 1 GB of data varies considerably across the Caribbean region.  However, as was noted earlier, the examination covered a wide cross-section of mobile data plans, where depending on the size of the plan, the price per GB of data would itself vary. Typically, the smaller the plan, the higher the price per unit GB of mobile data. Further, it is likely that many of the plans examined would have been less than 1 GB – such as a 300 MB or 0.5 GB plan – and so some extrapolation would have been done to bring them to the 1 GB baseline.

Second, and with regard to the average price for 1 GB of mobile data, all but three of the Caribbean countries fell within the less expensive half of the table. Out of 203 countries, the Dominican Republic was ranked 35th, whilst Jamaica and Sint Maarten were ranked 99th and 106th, respectively.

Finally, although all of the local rates were converted to USD to facilitate comparison against a common base, those figures do not tell the whole story. The actual value of the USD – in terms of its buying power – varies by country. For example, USD 1.00 may buy you more in Jamaica or Haiti, than in the Cayman Islands. Hence, it would be useful to also examine the affordability of 1 GB of mobile data, in order to have a better appreciation of the impact of the prices payable on consumers.

 

 

Image credit:  Jim Makos (flickr)