Russia stands out for offering some of the lowest home internet prices globally. On average, a resident would need only about 34 minutes of work each month to cover internet tariffs, a figure far below the global average of roughly 6 hours and 31 minutes. This insight comes from an interview with the Internet product director at Dom.ru, reported by socialbites.ca.
Chazov noted that in 2022 Russia advanced from 11th to 6th place in terms of internet accessibility and affordability, with only Japan, Singapore, Germany, Armenia, and Israel ranking above. He explained that the price of internet service is influenced by multiple factors and is adjusted periodically. The overall cost covers the building and modernization of communication networks, the purchase and installation of up-to-date equipment, and ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and preventive servicing of both network and devices. Additionally, the expenses related to customer service and the traffic itself are embedded in the pricing structure.
Statistics from Dom.ru show a downward trend in the average monthly cost of home internet in Russia from 2017 to 2022, dropping from 437 to 399 rubles. Consequently, the share of a household income spent on internet access decreased—from about 1.04% in 2017 to roughly 0.79% in 2022—illustrating growing affordability for users.
For comparison, international benchmarks cited by the expert indicate that average internet costs vary widely by region: Europe around 24.8 dollars (about 1905 rubles), Asia about 13.86 dollars (1065 rubles), Australia around 50.7 dollars (3895 rubles), the United Kingdom about 44.7 dollars (3434 rubles), and the United States about 8.4 dollars (645 rubles). These figures help contextualize Russia’s pricing within a global landscape.
Chazov further observed that between 2017 and 2019 the rise in home internet users in Russia tracked closely with falling prices. The user base grew from approximately 34.2 million in 2017 to around 36.5 million by the end of 2022, suggesting broader access and greater value for households choosing internet service at home. The trends point to ongoing enhancements in network infrastructure and regulatory dynamics that influence pricing and service quality over time.
Note: This analysis reflects reported data from the period examined and is intended to provide a snapshot of affordability, access, and usage trends within the Russian market, with comparisons to international benchmarks for broader context.