01/10/2008

Netsize, a leading mobile communications and commerce enabler, today released the results of its pan-European survey on the retail price plans of mobile operators for mobile internet and broadband services. The survey data is based on the published data price plans of the mobile operators in each of the surveyed 19 countries in Europe, as well as Australia.

It is the first survey in the world to compare mobile data prices across this many countries. It covers over 500 package variations, for postpaid and prepaid payment models. The objective of the survey is to provide a quantitative snapshot of mobile data download charges for end-users when downloading mobile content to their handsets.

"This survey especially benefits companies that are selling mobile content with heavy data charges," observed Ludovic Maupain, VP Marketing & Operators Partnerships, Netsize. He added "with download sizes increasing, it is important that mobile content providers have an idea on how much data charge might influence the perceived total cost of their products to end users." The Netsize study reveals that mobile data pricing varies considerably across these countries, and also within operator groups.

"Many end users do not have a flat rate data subscription yet, which can cause large downloads to become very costly," Ludovic Maupain added. "Awareness of data charges across Europe will help local and international content providers to tune their mobile content services for an optimal end user experience."

According to the survey end users without a data package subscription, known as the pay-as-you-go model, pay the highest rates in Italy, between €40 and €60 per 1 MB, whereas end users in other countries pay between €1 and €2. For a 100 MB data subscription the average charges range from €8 (1,995 HUF) in Hungary to €33 (249 DKK) in Denmark. The current average cost per MB for the smallest data subscription is €1, going down to as little as €0.01 on very large subscription packages of 1 GB and over.

The 45-page report includes detailed information on more than 500 mobile data packages that are available in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Australia. Details provided include operator name, package name, subscription type, type of coverage (GPRS, WAP, internet), fee structure, and time and size-based fees. The data was collected in the second quarter of 2008.

"International Mobile Data Charges: A pan-European report on the retail price plans for mobile internet and broadband services" is currently available to Netsize clients and can also be purchased directly for the price of €995 ex. VAT.