{"id":154345,"date":"2020-07-24T06:00:35","date_gmt":"2020-07-24T11:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=154345"},"modified":"2020-07-24T06:23:29","modified_gmt":"2020-07-24T11:23:29","slug":"snapshot-updated-price-1-gb-mobile-data-caribbean-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2020\/07\/snapshot-updated-price-1-gb-mobile-data-caribbean-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Snapshot: Updated price of 1 GB of mobile data across the Caribbean in 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

The results of a global study on the price of 1 GB of mobile data were recently published. Here we examine the results reported for the 31 Caribbean countries included in the exercise, and compare the current data with the 2018\/2019 findings.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In May 2020, United Kingdom telecoms firm, The Cable, published the results of a study it conducted on the cost of 1 GB of mobile data. The exercise covered 228 countries, and analysed over 5,550 mobile data plans (Source: The Cable<\/a>).<\/p>\n

This review is the second we have conducted on mobile data collated by The Cable. In addition to presenting the results for the Caribbean countries included in the exercise, we also briefly examine the results that had been presented in January 2019.<\/p>\n

Key Points on The Cable\u2019s Methodology<\/h3>\n
In February 2020, the mobile data plans offered in 228 countries worldwide were examined, and the following data recorded:<\/p>\n
\n
the cheapest price for 1 GB of mobile data<\/li>\n
the most expensive price for 1 GB of mobile data<\/li>\n
the average price for 1 GB of mobile data.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In the Caribbean region, 31 countries were examined, and Table 1 shows the number of mobile data plans that were examined in each country.<\/p>\n
$\"\"$
Table 1: List of Caribbean countries surveyed in 2020 and the number of plans examined (Source: The Cable)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
The data plans and prices examined were limited to those that require a SIM card; that is, mobile\/cellular data. The package prices were recorded in their advertised currency, and then converted to United States Dollars (USD) in order to establish a basis for comparison. The exchange rates were frozen prior to the release. Hence, any changes in exchange rate between the USD and local currencies occurring after 27 April 2020 were not factored into the presented data (The Cable<\/a>).<\/p>\n
Finally, 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 thereafter, the rate per GB that would be payable would have been determined.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Cheapest price for 1GB of mobile data<\/h3>\n
Figure 1 highlights the cheapest price for 1\u00a0GB of mobile data across the Caribbean. The prices ranged between USD\u00a00.17 and USD\u00a013.33.<\/p>\n
$\"\"$
Figure 1: Cheapest price for 1GB of mobile data in select Caribbean countries in 2020 (Source: The Cable)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
The cheapest prices were recorded in Haiti (USD\u00a00.17), which was followed by Trinidad and Tobago (USD\u00a00.23), and the Dominican Republic (USD\u00a00.27). At the other end of the spectrum is Cuba, where the cheapest price was USD\u00a011.25. Cuba was followed by the Cayman Islands, at USD\u00a07.42, and Aruba, at USD 6.85.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a0Most expensive price for 1GB of mobile data<\/h3>\n
The most expensive prices for 1\u00a0GB of mobile data across the Caribbean is shown in Figure 2, which ranged from USD\u00a04.93, in Saint Lucia, to USD\u00a0195.30, in Martinique and Saint-Martin.<\/p>\n
$\"\"$
Figure 2: Most expensive price for 1GB of mobile data in select Caribbean countries in 2020 (Source: The Cable)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
In addition to Saint Lucia, the less expensive prices were recorded in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the Dominican Republic, at USD 6.11 and USD 6.14, respectively. At the other end of the spectrum, and in addition to Martinique and Saint-Martin, the most expensive prices were recorded in Cura\u00e7ao and the Cayman islands at USD 83.42, and USD 72.27, respectively.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Average price for 1GB of mobile data<\/h3>\n
Finally, Figure 3 presents the average price for 1\u00a0GB of mobile data across the region. The lowest price was recorded in the Dominican Republic, at USD\u00a00.74, whilst the highest price, USD\u00a023.05, for 1\u00a0GB, was recorded in the Cayman Islands.<\/p>\n
$\"\"$
Figure 3: Average price for 1 GB of mobile data in select Caribbean countries in 2020 (Source: The Cable)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
In addition to the Dominican Republic, the lowest average prices were recorded in Guadeloupe, at USD\u00a02.42, and Martinique, at USD 2.60. Conversely, and in addition to the Cayman Islands, the highest prices were recorded in the Turks and Caicos Islands, at USD 13.33, and Cuba, at USD\u00a013.33.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A few thoughts on the results<\/h3>\n
Similar to the 2018\/2019 exercise, the price for 1 GB of data continues to vary widely across the Caribbean region. However, as was done in last year\u2019s Snapshot, it is emphasised that 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 also vary considerably.<\/p>\n
Relative to countries worldwide, and according the data presented by The Cable, the average price of 1 GB of mobile data is still expensive in the Caribbean region. Only four Caribbean countries, out of the sample group of 31, fell within the less expensive half of the ranking, out of a total of 228 countries: the Dominican Republic (24^{th<\/sup>); Guadeloupe (93^{rd<\/sup>); Martinique (102^{nd<\/sup>); and Haiti (105^{th<\/sup>).<\/p>\n}}}}
However, it should be noted that mobile data prices are improving in the Caribbean region, as reflected in Figure 4, which indicates the percentage change for the average price of a 1 GB plan in each of the Caribbean countries examined. In all but three countries, Barbados, the Caribbean Netherlands and Cuba, the average price dropped since the 2018\/2019 review. The greatest decrease in price was recorded in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (72%), and was followed by Martinique (68%), and Saint-Martin (67%).<\/p>\n
$\"\"$
Figure 4: Percentage change in the average price for 1 GB of mobile data in select Caribbean countries between December 2018 and February 2020 (Source: The Cable; ICT Pulse)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Image credit:\u00a0 Jim Makos<\/a> (flickr)<\/em><\/p>\n
——————<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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