Mobile data in Australia is some of the cheapest in the world

Many other advanced nations can’t match Australian data rates

You’d think the countries that use the most data would have the cheapest rates, because competition would drive prices down. However, according to recent data, that isn’t the case.

Cable UK conducted a study comparing mobile data prices in 230 countries. The study shows that despite the advanced mobile network infrastructure in developed countries like the United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), and Canada, the cost of data was more expensive than in less-advanced countries like Chile and Rwanda.

But, according to the data, the UK ranked 136^th with some of the priciest data plans in Europe. The study also shows the US, ranked 182, has one of the most expensive rates globally.

However, unlike these similarly developed countries, Australia placed 39^th on the list, with an average cost of $0.44 per 1GB of data, which is many times lower than the global average of $2.61 per GB (all costs are USD).

Data is so cheap today. Are you getting the best deal? Compare now:

This isn’t to say that Australia has the cheapest data rates in the world. No, there are plenty of nations with prices that seem impossible to imagine. A list of the top five nations on the list proves this point:

1.  Israel – $0.02
2.  Italy – $0.09
3.  Fiji – $0.09
4.  San Marino – $0.10
5.  Cambodia – $0.12

Those prices are obviously hard to beat. But when compared to its peers — other highly developed nations — Australia takes the cake. In fact, in its own Oceania region, Australia is cited as the cheapest. And we can even go further to say mobile data in Australia is some of the cheapest in the world,  despite those alarmingly cheap rates in the top 5.

Global average cost of data worldwide. Source

How Australia fares when compared to other parts of the world

Here’s a more thorough comparison between Australia and other countries around the globe, to show just how well we’re faring.

• Oceania region:
  Most of the pacific island nations that make up the Oceania region are at the expensive end of the list. At $17.24 per 1GB of data, Tokelau is the most expensive in the region. Australia, by far the biggest country in the region, is also the cheapest with an average of $0.44. In next-door New Zealand, the cost is many times higher than Australia’s, with an average cost of $5.89.
• The Caribbean:
  Like in many of their Oceanian counterparts, data plans in the majority of the Caribbean islands are quite expensive. They also come with relatively small data allowances. The cheapest cost per GB is found at St Kitts and Nevis at $1.54. The second and third cheapest averages are those of St Lucien and Saint-Marten at $1.58 each.
• North America:
  The two most developed countries in North America, Canada and the United States, both line up on the lowest bounds of the list. Canada’s average is $5.37 per 1GB of data, while the US is $6. Compare this to equally-developed Australia’s $0.44 and you’ll understand why this is a hot-button issue for Canadians and Americans alike. 

Global data costs. Source

• Western Europe:
  Here, the Netherlands offers the cheapest rates with an average of $1.61 per 1GB of data, with its vast range of unlimited data plans. The UK has seen a huge drop in data prices over the past 5 years, moving from $6.66 in 2019 to just $0.62 in 2024. Australia’s $0.44 average also blows out Switzerland — but then again even the UK does, as Switzerland is the second-most expensive rate in the region at $7.29.

Final word

Australians are enjoying some of the cheapest data rates in the world. This is especially true when compared to similarly-developed nations like the UK, US, and Canada. Australia’s average rate per 1GB of data is a fraction of those countries, and a number of other highly developed countries in the world.

Last updated on July 23rd, 2024