Global report shows Nigerians are overpaying for internet service

By Onome Amuge

Internet users in Nigeria are paying more to purchase internet connection services compared to other countries worldwide, which sees the most populous black nation ranked 109th in the world with an index of 0.0017, 44 times lower than the global average, according to the Global Internet Value Index (IVi) report recently released by Surfshark.

The cybersecurity firm explained that the internet value index is calculated by dividing each country’s internet speed by internet affordability to determine which countries are overpaying for their internet. The study ranks 117 countries and territories based on the Internet Value index, which is determined by fixed broadband internet and mobile internet speed-to-affordability ratios.

In terms of regional position, Surfshark ranked Nigeria 16th place with its index 56 per cent lower than Africa’s average and was ranked 12th place in sub-Saharan Africa.

Meanwhile, countries like South Africa and Ghana were ranked 70th and 105th respectively. Though both countries were also considered as overpaying for the internet they get, Nigeria’s internet expense was rated comparatively higher, with a 90 per cent lower index compared to South Africa and 26 per cent lower index compared to Ghana.

Comparing internet value in Africa,the report showed that four out of every 10 people in the continent can access the internet at a fair price. South Africa was ranked the most affordable in the continent, with Egypt ranking second, followed by Morocco.  On the other hand, Zimbabwe and Uganda emerged the lowest-ranking African countries, followed closely by Cameroon

On a regional comparison,the report showed that the Northern Africa subregion performed better overall, with the average index of its four countries being twice higher than that of sub-Saharan Africa.

According to Surfshark, all Northern African countries have above-average internet value, while only one in four, or 26.3 per cent sub-Saharan African countries do.

The report further showed that Oceania and Europe lead the world in internet value. It noted that Oceania records a value index which is 2.5 times higher than the global average, while 78 per cent of European people get their internet at fair prices. In contrast, internet affordability in North America, South America, and Africa were considered below average.

Globally, the report showed that only four out of 10 people get their internet at fair prices, while the remaining 61 per cent overpay for internet they get.

Commenting on the report, Agneska Sablovskaja, lead researcher at Surfshark, said the internet value index offers a look at internet connection from a practical perspective.

The cybersecurity and privacy researcher noted that even economically affluent countries with relatively fast internet can overpay compared to others worldwide.

“However, some countries may have slower internet but also pay a considerably lower price, which is then considered fair,” Sablovskaja explained.