{"id":131800,"date":"2018-06-01T06:45:09","date_gmt":"2018-06-01T11:45:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=131800"},"modified":"2018-05-31T20:49:34","modified_gmt":"2018-06-01T01:49:34","slug":"snapshot-2018-update-affordability-internet-service-caribbean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2018\/06\/snapshot-2018-update-affordability-internet-service-caribbean\/","title":{"rendered":"Snapshot: 2018 update on the affordability of Internet service in the Caribbean"},"content":{"rendered":"

A 2018 update of how affordable domestic fixed Internet broadband service is in 18 countries across the Caribbean region.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Following on from our most recent Snapshot of Internet speed and pricing, we are examining the affordability of Internet broadband service across the Caribbean region. It should be noted that we have updated some of our tests, to better utilise the data that has been collected. After we present our findings, we share a few thoughts on the results.<\/p>\n

Approach<\/h3>\n

In our most recent Snapshot: 2018 update of Internet speeds and pricing across the Caribbean<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, we examined the variation of fixed (wired and wireless) Internet download speeds and monthly pricing for select Internet plans across 18 Caribbean countries:\u00a0 Anguilla; Aruba; the Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; the British Virgin Islands; the Cayman Islands; Cura\u00e7ao; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago; and the Turks and Caicos Islands.<\/p>\n

Having examined monthly pricing, now we seek to determine the affordability of those Internet plans using the following approach:<\/p>\n

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  1. The rates recorded are compared against estimated monthly income, using per capita Gross Domestic Product figures, sourced from the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations, which will be used as proxies.<\/li>\n
  2. The resulting ratios are expressed as percentages, which indicate the proportion of a person\u2019s income that would be spent on the stated plans, and hence indicates the extent to which it might be affordable to the average consumer.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In this year\u2019s review, three exercises are conducted. In the countries examined, we wish to determine:<\/p>\n