Arabs pay 500% more than Westerners for communications



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The revenues of the telecommunications sector have always been an essential resource for the economies of the Arab countries, but the emergence of the free communication service through social media (Viber, Tango, WhatsApp, Skype …), prompted the consumer to be greatly dispensed with with expensive phone calls. It was a turning point in the world of local and international communications.

These free services shed light on the cost of a phone call, which varies from country to country, and the different methods of calculating the price per minute.

The Bahrain Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) recently released the updated 2015 figures of the “Measuring Prices for Telecommunications Services” study in Arab countries, which was conducted by the “Telegen” department. for strategic analysis.

The report, which was reviewed by Al Arabiya.net, provides an in-depth analysis of the costs of telecommunications services for different types of users, including the cost of fixed, mobile, fixed and mobile broadband in up to 22 countries. Arabs, as well as Provides a comparison with the average cost, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

It is mentioned here that this organization is an international organization composed of 34 members from developed countries such as (France, Denmark, United States of America, Australia, Mexico, Japan, Portugal …).

The study reveals that the prices of telecommunications services in Arab countries are still well above the average OECD prices for all telecommunications services.

According to the study, the average cost of making 420 calls over landline residential voice lines in Arab countries is US $ 126, compared to US $ 76 according to average prices in foreign countries, which means the Arab consumer pays $ 65. % more than OECD member countries, economy and development.

As for calls intended for business use via corporate fixed voice, a flat rate for making 200 calls averages $ 109 in Arab countries, compared to $ 77 in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, with a variance by 42%.

The same is not true with regard to the cost of mobile voice costs, as the average cost of this communication service is lower in Arab countries compared to OECD countries in the lowest plans. used, with the exception of telephone data (Mobile voice only without However, it increases significantly in large sets and formations that include data.

For example, the average cost of a basket (30 calls) via a mobile phone in Arab countries is $ 11, which is cheaper than those paid by OECD countries of $ 13, but the difference of cost becomes much higher in the largest basket of uses (900 calls), where it reaches 136 dollars in the Arab countries, against 38 dollars in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, which means that the Arab consumer pays 261 % more than what Western consumers pay.

However, the difference between Arab countries and foreign countries under the aegis of the OECD becomes ‘crazy’ when the mobile data service (voice and mobile data) is added to exceed 499%, as the Arab citizen pays for one. plan (900 calls + 2 GB) as an average rate of about 265 The average cost to a consumer in a foreign country is $ 44.

Internet speed with 4G service

The study shows that the average download speed in various Arab countries increased to 63MB / sec, from 34MB / sec in 2013.

This speed increase is the result of the continuous spread of 4G services in many Arab countries.

In terms of tariffs, there is an imbalance between the average cost in Arab countries compared to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, especially for broadband services, such as the bundle (200 GB, broadband 30-100 MB / s) ranges from the average price in Arab countries for this service to $ 142 compared to the average cost of $ 38 in OECD member countries.

As for the cost of mobile broadband for laptops and tablets, the cost of this service with a flat rate (6 GB, 30 days) amounts to $ 57 in Arab countries, against $ 25 in the OECD.

But which is the most expensive Arab country?

A survey of the cellular communications market in the Arab world, published by the Arab Advisors Group, indicated that Lebanon recorded the highest subscription charges for postpaid cellular connection charges among 15 Arab countries.

The average post-use cellular subscription charge in Lebanon is $ 55, which is lower than the average charge in Saudi Arabia ($ 60.15) and Kuwait ($ 67.56), while it is much higher. higher than the average of Arab countries of 26.74 dollars and Arab countries. on average $ 15.3.

The survey covered 39 cellular telecommunications companies and the average prices for their services in a number of Arab countries. Country rankings were determined on the basis of current prices for cellular services, including applicable taxes. This includes the one-time subscription fees and the prices of a group of cellular services in each country.

According to the results of the survey, the price of a package of cellular and paid Internet services after use in Lebanon was $ 118.1, which is the highest price in the Arab world, and is well. higher than the Arab average of 56.6 dollars and the average price in the Arab world of 58.5 dollars. Lebanon was classified in the “high cost” category, along with Libya, Jordan and Oman. The cellular plan includes the number of minutes of voice calls and the use of the Internet through the cell phone.

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