Research carried out by telecommunication research company Cable UK finds Kenya to have quite expensive monthly internet packages. In addition, Sub Saharan Africa is also one of the most expensive places to get internet in the world. The average cost of fixed broadband (Per month) in Kenya was found to be USD 48.11 (KES 6,205.23) at current exchange rate. However, it is still cheaper than the globally average of internet cost of USD 55.89 ( KES 7197.08).
13 different internet service providers were surveyed in Kenya. The research focused on fixed line connections which are: Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) and Full copper (ADSL). These are all forms of internet connectivity that use a physical line (whether that’s a fibre optic connection or a copper line). Of the 44 Sub Saharan countries surveyed, Kenya was found to have the 25th most expensive internet prices in the region.
Internet Price in East Africa
Interestingly, internet prices in the East African region vary greatly. For example, Sudan, which is unfortunately facing a civil war, has the cheapest internet prices in the world. Average cost of broadband Per month in the country is USD 2.40 (KES 309.55).
On the other end is the small nation of Burundi. The country has the second most expensive internet prices in the world and the most expensive in Africa. Average cost of broadband per month in Burundi is USD 304.56 (KES 39,282.15).
Tanzania pays slightly less than Kenya for internet, with the average found to be USD 43.43 (KES 5601.60). The country is 15th cheapest in the sub-Saharan region. Uganda’s average fixed broadband cost is USD 52.58, Rwanda is USD 43.22, and Democratic Republic of Congo USD 170.97.
READ: How to become an ISP in Kenya
In the horn of Africa, Somalia average cost for internet is USD 54.58. Its is USD 116.655 in Eritrea, while Safaricom’s newest market Ethiopia, is among the cheapest at USD 18.45. Djibouti, an important country as a landing port for major subsea internet cables has quite steep prices. The average monthly cost is USD 85.52. South Sudan was not captured in the research.
| Country | Average cost of broadband (Per month) |
|---|---|
| Sudan | USD 2.40 (KES 309.55) |
| Ethiopia | USD 18.45 (KES 2379.68) |
| Rwanda | USD 43.22 (KES 5574.52) |
| Tanzania | USD 43.43 (KES 5601.60) |
| Kenya | USD 48.11 (KES 6,205.23) |
| Uganda | USD 52.58 (KES 6781.77) |
| Somalia | USD 54.58 (KES 7039.73) |
| Djibouti | USD 85.52 (KES 11030.37) |
| Eriteria | USD 116.655 ( KES 15046.16) |
| DRC | USD 170.97 ( KES 22051.71) |
| Burundi | USD 304.56 (KES 39282.15) |
Average Internet Prices Globally
In terms of regions, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has the cheapest internet packages (USD 16.46). With the exception of Turkmenistan, all can be found in the top 40 cheapest in the table. Eastern Europe is second and the Baltic region is third cheapest. North America is one of the most expensive places to get fixed internet connection in the world.
“It is interesting, however, that the cheapest broadband in the world tends to be in Eastern Europe and CIS nations. These countries tend to have some of the most advanced infrastructure too (high % full fibre FTTP coverage), and are somehow able to offer it to users at very low prices.” said Dan Howdle of Cable UK.
He observed that, “In a way it obliterates the notion that regions such as Western Europe and North America pay more because of the cost of rolling out new technologies, and actually points more readily to the idea that people in these regions are made to pay more simply because they can,”
