AZE.US
Internet pricing is back in focus in Azerbaijan as customers complain that current tariffs are too high for many household budgets and do not always match the quality of service being delivered.
Some users say the increases are hitting pensioners and lower-income families especially hard. In street interviews, one customer said they pay 27 manats a month, while another said their monthly bill had risen from 18 manats to 25 manats.
Specialists interviewed in the report said internet prices are shaped by several cost pressures at once, including global economic shifts, higher energy expenses, logistics costs and more expensive equipment.
They also noted that internet usage continues to rise rapidly, increasing the load on networks and making it harder for providers to keep tariffs unchanged over time.
Another factor, according to the report, is the cost of building and maintaining the country’s internet infrastructure. Experts said much of that infrastructure was financed directly by local providers rather than through foreign donor banks, meaning the investment costs are ultimately reflected in subscriber fees.
Pricing also varies depending on connection speed. Lower-speed packages in the 20 to 50 Mbps range are considered the budget segment and start at around 15 manats per month. Mid-range packages, typically offering 30 to 100 Mbps, usually cost between 20 and 30 manats.
The most common offer on the market is the 100 Mbps package, which is widely treated as the standard home internet plan. Across most providers, that package costs about 25 manats a month.
For users who want faster service, providers also offer packages starting from 150 Mbps and going up to 1 Gbps. In that category, monthly prices generally range from 30 manats to 50 manats.
The technology used for the connection also affects the final price. Geography matters as well. In Baku and other large cities, where competition is stronger, customers tend to have access to faster and more affordable packages. In some districts and rural areas, by contrast, choices are more limited and prices can be relatively higher.
Providers contacted in the report said tariff changes are not made on an arbitrary or individual basis, but mainly reflect broader market conditions. That means internet prices are being shaped by a mix of infrastructure spending, operating costs, service speed and regional market dynamics.
AZE.US