Mobile phone users in the US spend almost twice as much as their European counterparts, industry group GSMA says.
The average monthly bill for Americans is $69 (£46) and it is just $38 for European mobile customers. Mobile phone bills have fallen in Europe every year since 2000, partly as regulators forced networks to cut charges for such things as roaming but also as consumers have reacted to austerity by seeking the cheapest deals. By contrast, US mobile phone bills have been rising since 2010.
Americans use five times more voice minutes and nearly twice as much data. The GSMA said US networks had been quicker to master new technology, for which they can charge more, and had benefited from consolidation in the industry. European customers are becoming less keen on upgrading to more expensive phones and services.
“Europe was the early leader in mobile,” said GSMA director general Anne Bouverot. “But it has lost its edge and is significantly underperforming other advanced economies, including the United States. While there are many factors that have contributed to Europe’s current position, it is clear that enlightened policy reforms could bring improvement, creating substantial benefits for EU consumers and driving economic growth.”
