How much is too much for Internet access?
By Zhang Xi (chinadaily.com.cn)Updated: 2007-05-18 16:25
South Korea: 30,000 won (US$32.49) per month
The monthly cost of Internet
access is 1.5 percent of a middle-income person's salary. “People can only buy
30 radishes at 30,000 won in Seoul," an engineer said. "This is due to
competition between the various telecom companies."
France: 40 euros (US$53.97) per month
The 40 euros Internet cost per
month only accounts for three percent of the 1,400 euros minimum monthly
salary in France. With 40 euros, a person in Paris can eat two
burgers at a fast food restaurant; buy 20 kg tomatoes or two bottles of
champagne.
"If you don't mind the poor service, you can get cheaper Internet access at 30 euros a month," said a Parisian.
Australia: $A60 (US$49.36) per month
Most Australians earn $A4,000 monthly
and they choose to spend 1.5 percent of their income, which is $A60 every month
on Internet service. A housewife in Canberra told the reporter, "I can buy 12 kg
meat or 24 bottles of 2L orange juice with the same amount of money."
India: 600 rupees (US$14.7) per month
A national survey reveals the
average cost of the Internet service is 600 rupees, which is 20 percent of the
average monthly income in India.
A vice professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University said 600 rupees is his monthly food budget, so he can't afford to get Internet access at home. For many Indian families, it's a luxury to surf the Internet at home.
To solve the problem, the Indian government promised to offer free broadband service to the public in two years. Although many Indians doubt this will really happen, the government says it's determined to carry this plan through.
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