In a recent report, Nigeria has been named the country with the slowest yet most expensive internet among the 85 countries accessed.
The report reveals the plight of many Nigerian students and entrepreneurs who pay an arm-and-a-leg for internet services in the country but do not get the value for the money.
In what appears to be a further slap in the back to telecommunication regulators in the country, the report revealed that the majority of the internet companies in Nigeria are yet to adopt the recommended IPv6 Internet Protocol used in other countries.
According to the report, Israel had the most affordable and fasted internet service from all the countries accessed. Critics have applauded the report, saying it highlights the plight of low-income earners in developing countries who are made to pay for services they do not enjoy.
What this means is that approximately, the wage for 34 hours monthly of a Nigerian worker goes into data subscription if the person is to pay for the cheapest broadband package.
Whereas in other parts of the world, a middle-class worker would need to work for only 3 hours a month to pay for a monthly data broadband package. Yes, the gap is evident, and it is damning.
One interesting aspect of the report is the revelation that the countries with the most expensive internet broadband have the worst services – can you imagine that?
Critics have opined that it is a shame for a country that claims to be the giant of Africa to be bottom of 85 countries when it comes to fast and affordable internet service. They claim that access to affordable internet contributes to economic growth and individual advancement in no small way.
According to the research, Africa’s average broadband internet speed is 4.85 Mbps, as against the global average speed of 15.94 Mbps. In the same vein, the mobile speed of the connection in Africa is 20.55 Mbps, as against the global average of 33.53 Mbps.
What are your thoughts?
