UPDATE: In July 2021, A4AI pivoted to the Journey from 1 to 5, resetting affordability targets for 5GB of broadband at no more than 2% of the average monthly income in any country by 2026. Learn more here. 

Redefining affordability to achieve universal internet access 

The Sustainable Development Goals set by the global community in September 2015 call for universal, affordable internet access by 2020. If we are serious about making internet access a reality for everyone, everywhere, we must commit now to take concrete steps to connect the billions of people still offline.

Achieving the global goal of affordable internet access for all means that we must work toward an ambitious affordability target that will enable opportunities for internet access and use for all income groups — not just the top few. Changing how we define affordability has the power to enable more inclusive access and close the digital divide.

For this reason, A4AI uses a “1 for 2” measure for affordable internet — affordable internet is where 1GB of mobile broadband data is priced at 2% or less of average monthly income.

To date, this “1 for 2” target has been adopted by the UN Broadband Commission, the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigeria, and Ghana.

Why “1 for 2”?

A commonly used target defines broadband as affordable if an entry-level (500MB) data plan is available at less than 5% of average monthly income (i.e., GNI per capita). However, A4AI research has shown this measure to be misleading, due to the fact that it does not account for poverty and income inequality.

In South Africa, for example, average income (as measured by GNI per capita in 2014) was US$6790. But, 60% of the population actually earn less than half of that amount. In practice, this means that a seemingly affordable mobile internet connection (priced at 1.48% of “average” monthly income) actually costs the majority of South Africans anywhere between 6-19% of their income. The idea of a national “average” income is further skewed by gender inequality in earnings; across the globe, women earn 30-50% less than their male counterparts. This means that a country can meet the 5% affordability target, but still see a significant proportion of its population unable to afford to connect to the internet.

“1 for 2” ensures that income is not a barrier to access

The 5% affordability target is insufficient in a world where income inequality is increasing. Even in countries that have achieved the 5% target, entry-level broadband (500MB) is still too expensive for at least the bottom 20% of income earners in the country — and much too often remains out of reach for all those except the top 20% of income earners.

Using a national average income does not account for income inequality and the unequal distribution of income found across many countries. Unfortunately, the reality is that country data on income distribution is limited; as a result, using a national average (i.e., GNI per capita) remains the most effective measure for tracking progress. The national average measure, however, must move below the current 5% threshold for the reasons mentioned above.

In determining what a more accurate target should be, A4AI analysis shows that when prices drop to 2% or less of GNI per capita, all levels of income earners, including the bottom 20%, can afford a basic broadband connection. At the 4% and 3% levels, mobile broadband remains unaffordable for the bottom 20% of income earners in several countries.  A more ambitious 2% threshold will allow a broadband connection to become truly affordable for all income groups, enabling billions more to come online.

“1 for 2” reflects basic data needs for “entry-level” broadband use

An additional issue is that affordability is often measured against the cost of a 500MB data plan. The reality is that a data allowance of 500MB a month allows a user to watch just two minutes of high-quality video — not enough to enable regular use of health, education, and other valuable online tools and information sources. Users are hungry for more data and meaningful use of the web requires it. Video and picture-rich content consume large amounts of data and yet, it is exactly these resources that are likely to be most valuable for the poor, marginalised, and frequently illiterate populations offline today. A larger data allowance is needed for users to realise the development benefits of the internet. Doubling the current 500MB yardstick to 1GB would be a good start.