South Korea: 30,000 won (US$32.49) per month
The monthly cost of Internet access is 1.5 percent of a middle-income person's salary. ¡°People can only buy 30 radishes at 30,000 won in Seoul," an engineer said. "This is due to competition between the various telecom companies."

France: 40 euros (US$53.97) per month
The 40 euros Internet cost per month only accounts for three percent of the 1,400 euros minimum monthly salary in France. With 40 euros, a person in Paris can eat two burgers at a fast food restaurant; buy 20 kg tomatoes or two bottles of champagne.

"If you don't mind the poor service, you can get cheaper Internet access at 30 euros a month," said a Parisian.

Australia: $A60 (US$49.36) per month
Most Australians earn $A4,000 monthly and they choose to spend 1.5 percent of their income, which is $A60 every month on Internet service. A housewife in Canberra told the reporter, "I can buy 12 kg meat or 24 bottles of 2L orange juice with the same amount of money."

India: 600 rupees (US$14.7) per month
A national survey reveals the average cost of the Internet service is 600 rupees, which is 20 percent of the average monthly income in India.

A vice professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University said 600 rupees is his monthly food budget, so he can't afford to get Internet access at home. For many Indian families, it's a luxury to surf the Internet at home.

To solve the problem, the Indian government promised to offer free broadband service to the public in two years. Although many Indians doubt this will really happen, the government says it's determined to carry this plan through.

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