1 GB internet is now cheaper than a litre of milk in India

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A sharp decline in internet data cost over the last few years has led to spike in data usage per subscriber in India, reveals latest data released by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).

According to the Trai, the internet data cost dropped by 96% to just Rs 10.9 per GB in 2020 – cheaper than a litre of milk – versus Rs 269 per GB in 2014. Tracking the steep fall in the prices, data consumption per user surged to 141 GB per user as against 3.2 GB per user during the period under review.

Higher consumption due to WFH Blame it on the work from home (WFH) culture amid the Covid-19 pandemic, data usage per subscriber in 2020 was 20% higher than in 2019. Due to the strict lockdown, most regular office-goers, school kids and employees across sectors worked remotely. Besides, in 2020 the data cost had further declined to Rs 10.9 from Rs 11.1 in 2019, the data showed.

Cheapest tariff globally According to Trai, India is one of the cheapest internet data markets globally. The global average stands at Rs 366 per GB. In United States, the cost of 1 GB data is around Rs 531, while in UK it is around Rs 286. The telecom regulator attributes the massive data boom to ‘4G’ which brought about a technological revolution. According to Trai, most connections are in urban areas and availed through wireless devices. With 4G LTE, consumers are getting uninterrupted connectivity at lower cost, it added