A recent OECD report which compared the price of mobile phone service among OECD countries has concluded that consumers in Canada, Spain and the United States paid some of the highest mobile phone rates in the world.
The lowest rates were found in Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden.
To compare prices across the thirty OECD countries, the report calculated and compared wireless phone rates for low, medium and high usage consumers.
The OECD Communications Outlook says between 2006 and 2008 mobile phone call prices fell on average by 21% for low usage consumers, 28% for medium usage and by 32% for subscribers with the highest consumption patterns.
In comparing 30 countries, Canada ranked 20th among light users, 28th among medium users and 19th among heavy users. The United States ranked 30th, 30th and 25th respectively. Spain ranked 29th, 29th and 30th respectively.
The following is a brief overview of the results.
Low Usage
Comparing prices on a medium-use basis for a package of 360 voice calls, 396 short texts (SMS), and eight multimedia (MMS) messages, the survey found monthly prices ranged from $4.5 to $24 US dollars across countries as of August 2008. The OECD average was $163 annually or about $13.50 per month.
In the low use category Canadians ranked 20th at just over $16 a month while the Americans ranked last with expenditures of $23 a month. The OECD estimates the low usage Canadian spent $195 a year vs. $279 for an American. Light users in Denmark spent the least, $4.50 per month.
Medium Usage
Comparing prices on a medium-use basis for a package of 780 voice calls, 600 short texts (SMS), and eight multimedia (MMS) messages, the survey found monthly prices ranged from $11 to $53 US dollars across countries as of August 2008. The OECD average was $317 annually or about $26.50 per month.
In the medium use category, Canadians spent $42 a month and ranked 28th while the Americans ranked last with monthly expenses of $53. The OECD estimates the medium usage Canadian spent $563 a year vs. $635 for an American. Medium users in Denmark spent the least, $11 per month.
High UsageComparing prices on a high-use basis for a package of 1680 voice calls, 600 short texts (SMS), and 12 multimedia (MMS) messages, the survey found monthly prices ranged from $15 to $80 US across countries as of August 2008. The OECD average was $489 annually or about $40.75 per month.
In the high use category, Canadians spent $47 a month and ranked 19th while the Americans ranked 25th with monthly expenditures of $53. The OECD estimates the high usage Canadian spent $563 a year vs. $635 for an American. Heavy users in Denmark spent the least, $15 per month.
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I couldn't agree any more... I pay extra just to get free incoming calls on my Rogers phone. When I traveled to India almost 2 years ago, they had free incoming (even on pay-as-you-go plans). This is just a ripoff!!!
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