two persons using mobiles and waiting on a rail station

[Infographic] For smartphone users mobile data can come with a hefty price tag

For smartphone users fond of streaming, mobile data can come with a hefty price tag. The cost varies heavily between different countries and a new analysis of mobile data prices by UK-based price comparison website cable.co.uk shows where a gigabyte of data is cheapest and most expensive. The analysis focused on 6,313 data plans in 230 countries with India being named the cheapest.

The analysis focused on 6,313 data plans in 230 countries with India being named the cheapest. Indian smartphone users only have to pay $0.26 for a gigabyte of data, ahead of Kyrgyzstan ($0.27) and Kazakhstan ($0.49). 

chart of the cost of mobile internet around the world

Zimbabwe is at the opposite end of the affordability scale with a gigabyte of data averaging $75.20, a whopping 289 times as much as in India. The following infographic provides an overview of pricing in 15 selected countries with disparities immediately evident in Europe. For example, one gigabyte of data in Italy averages $1.73 while the same amount costs nearly $7 in Germany with the UK  just at $6.66

People have to pay even more in North America with a gigabyte costing an average of $12.02 in Canada and $12.38 in the United States.