Wireless providers in Canada earn most revenue per GB in the world — study

The report shows that Canadian providers pocket the most income, amounting to 27 euros or approximately $40 when Canadians only use two GB of data per month. (Photo: rawpixel/Unsplash)

Wireless carriers which earn the most income per gigabyte (GB) in the world are those in Canada, a study conducted by Sweden-based research firm tefficient showed.

According to its 21st public analysis of the data development and drivers of mobile data, the total revenue per GB of wireless providers in Canada is “roughly 70 times higher” than those in India and “23 times higher” than in Finland.

Tefficient compared Canada’s revenue to the other 38 countries covered in its study.

The report shows that Canadian providers pocket the most income, amounting to 27 euros or approximately $40 when Canadians only use two GB of data per month.

“Consequently, mobile usage [in Canada] is lower than average,” the research firm said.

It also noted that among all the 39 countries which mobile data usage is “still growing,” it is China and India that stand out.

“In the first half of 2018, these two ‘developing’ nations have overtaken several mature markets when it comes to average data consumption per subscription. The growth is incredibly fast and driven by 4G,” it said.

China’s usage growth in the first six months of 2018 is at 102 percent which is “incredibly fast,” according to tefficient.

“It’s fuelled by a fast take up of 4G which in turn has been fuelled by massive 4G-oriented marketing by the Chinese operators,” the Swedish firm explained.

But the two nations, it added, are not yet “challenging the top” as Finland and Taiwan got the first and second spot, respectively.

The data providers in Finland only earn one euro or $1.51 per GB, however, the Finns use 14 GB of data per month.

Tefficient said many are using data on those countries because of lower charges, unlike in Canada.

“Most mobile operators in mature markets aren’t attempting to monetize voice and SMS based on usage any longer; they have instead made these allowances unlimited and included them in a flat fee,” it explained.

It added that most users in those countries are subscribed to old price plans as they are either still locked in by a contract or have not yet found the best deal.

Apart from China, India, Finland and Taiwan, those where wireless carries make the lowest revenue per GB are Lithuania, Latvia, Thailand, Estonia, and Austria.

“These countries are mobile data paradises for users,” tefficient said.