The cost of telecommunications services increased slightly during the first quarter (Q1) of 2016 in comparison with the last quarter (Q4) of 2015. According to a report by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the cost of internet ADSL services increased from $6.2 in Q4 2015 to $6.4 in Q1 2016. Moreover, the cost of mobile phone services increased from $2.6 to $2.7 quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q), while the cost of the telephone services increased from $2.05 to $2.07 q-o-q. According to this report, the price of internet ADSL services marked a decline in the first quarter of 2016 in comparison with the first quarter in 2015. Prices declined from $10.08 in the first quarter of 2015 to reach $6.4 during the same period of 2016—a decline of 36.3%. The ministry report calculates the landline cost based on the average monthly subscriptions plus the price of 15 domestic calls in peak time and another 15 off-peak. The cost of using mobile phones is calculated by the price paid in advance for 30 calls per month spanning calls to the same network, other networks, and landlines at both peak and off-peak times. The cost also includes 100 SMS text messages. ADSL prices are calculated according to the lowest price offered for monthly subscriptions offered by the internet company with the largest share of subscribers in the market.
