A significant difference is being seen in global internet access prices in 2025, and Pakistan is among the ten most expensive countries for fixed broadband. With the rise of online shopping, e-commerce businesses, and IT exports, making the internet cheaper has become an economic necessity.
According to the report by VR Social, consumers in Pakistan pay an average of $0.53 per megabit per second (Mbps), which is higher than the UK ($0.36), South Africa ($0.50), and Indonesia ($0.41). However, in some countries, internet prices are much higher than in Pakistan, while in others, they are incredibly cheap.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the most expensive country globally, where broadband costs $4.31 per Mbps, almost eight times higher than Pakistan’s price. It is followed by Ghana ($2.58), Switzerland ($2.07), Kenya ($1.54), and Morocco ($1.16) among the top five countries. The high prices in these countries are mostly due to limited competition or expensive infrastructure, but they remain significantly higher compared to Pakistan.
On the other hand, some countries in Eastern Europe and Asia have surprisingly low internet prices. In Romania, broadband costs only $0.01 per Mbps, which is 53 times cheaper than Pakistan. Similarly, in Russia and Thailand, the cost is $0.02, while in Chile, Poland, and Singapore, it is $0.03 per Mbps. The low prices in these countries are due to strong telecom infrastructure and healthy market competition, which highlights a significant contrast with Pakistan.
Globally, the connectivity gap is extremely evident. The internet price in the UAE is 400 times higher than in Romania, while Pakistan’s price is also much higher compared to the world’s cheaper countries. According to experts, Pakistan’s high prices are due to limited market competition, slow fiber network expansion, and infrastructure gaps, particularly in rural areas.
As digital access becomes essential for education, communication, and business, it is necessary for Pakistan not only to reduce internet prices but also to ensure reliable service and wider coverage. The global comparison clearly indicates that Pakistan needs reforms and investment in the telecom sector to strengthen its digital economy.
