Page 32 - Measuring digital development The affordability of ICT services 2024

The affordability of ICT services

Annex: ICT price data collection methodology

This report is based on the methodology in force at the time of 2024 data collection, which was
agreed by ITU’s Expert Group on Telecommunication/ICT Indicators (EGTI).

For non-tradable services such as telecommunications, international price comparisons require
well-defined and consistent benchmarks. To this end, ITU employs a basket-based approach,
where comparable units of services are identified and priced across countries.

Establishing a single benchmark for global comparison is challenging. Countries differ widely
in size, geography, population distribution and level of economic development. People also
access and use ICT services in diverse ways, depending on local market conditions and socio-
economic factors. To reflect this global diversity, the ITU methodology covers both fixed and
mobile services, voice and messaging, as well as data traffic. The result is a set of five ICT price
baskets, each defined according to specific monthly allowance thresholds, technology and
validity requirements to maximize consistency and comparability across countries. Figure A1
presents the baskets and their respective allowances, while Table A1 provides an overview of
the data collection rules. The details of the data collection methodology are available online.
1
Figure A1: ITU ICT price baskets (2021-2024)

Minimum
monthly allowance
Voice SMS Data
ICT price baskets (min) (#)

1 Data-only mobile-broadband basket - - 2 GB

2 Mobile data and voice low-consumption basket 70 20 500 MB

3 Mobile data and voice high-consumption basket 140 70 2 GB

4 Mobile-cellular low-usage basket 70 20 -

5 Fixed-broadband basket - - 5 GB

1 https:// www .itu .int/ en/ ITU -D/ Statistics/ Documents/ publications/ prices2021/ ITU _ICT _Prices _Methodology
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