Nepal government rejects foreign exchange recommendation for internet | CA Nirajan Keshri posted on the topic | LinkedIn (2024)

Empowering #Bangladesh's digital evolution, the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) introduces the 'National Broadband Policy 2023,' aiming for universal access to high-capacity broadband networks, services, and technology platforms. This policy will propel Bangladesh toward a #tech-forward economy. 🌐 📶 #DigitalInfrastructure #DigitalTransformation

3

The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) has called for a reduction in taxes on telecom customers to enhance the affordability of digital services. With Pakistan being one of the highest-taxed telecom markets globally, where telecom users face an overall tax burden of 34.5 percent, including 15 percent WHT and 19.5 percent GST, GSMA’s proposal aims to address the impact of high taxes on the mobile industry.The mobile industry in Pakistan plays a crucial role in driving digital transformation and achieving the Digital Pakistan Vision. However, the current tax contribution from the mobile sector in Pakistan exceeds that of similar markets in the region, severely limiting the industry’s capacity to invest in network infrastructure, hindering the realization of the Digital Pakistan Vision. #news #pakistan #taxes #telecom #customers

Internet service providers (ISPs) have been instructed not to charge more than the prescribed internet fees set by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority. This comes after some service providers increased their fees on their own. Some ISPs increased fees stating they were given the green light by the authority. However, the authority has said it has made no decision allowing ISPs to increase internet fees. According to the Telecommunications Act, ISPs can only increase the tariff after the approval notice is published by the authority. https://lnkd.in/d3QhwUZZ #telecommunications

In our recently conducted Regulatory Survey 2023, member companies have raised significant concerns regarding the practice of denominating telecom spectrum prices in US dollars.While a robust and stable telecom sector underpins the digital ecosystem, propelling various sectors of the economy and enhancing service quality for users, the financial well-being of the telecom industry has suffered due to the ill-advised policy of tethering telecom spectrum prices to the US dollar.Industry insiders have warned that this situation has now reached a critical juncture, jeopardising the survival of the telecom sector. OICCI has been pursuing Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom for the urgent need to dissociate the telecom license fee from the US dollar to safeguard the sector’s sustainability and ensure the delivery of vital digital connectivity for Pakistan’s advancement as rapid currency devaluations increase the cost of doing business and make it difficult for the telecom industry to execute any business plans.

2

The suspension of mobile broadband services has had a devastating effect on the economy, resulting in substantial losses for telecom operators, the government, and the people of Pakistan. According to media reports, the telecom operators have incurred an estimated revenue loss of Rs. 820 million, while the government has lost around Rs. 28 million in tax revenue.#Telecommunication #Pakistan #RevenueLoss #TashheerDigital #MobileInternet #Suspension #TelecomOperators

1

In the early 1990s, the government made a huge announcement. Private companies could finally enter the telecom industry. We formulated a National Telecom Policy in 1994 and rolled out licences. And the applications poured in.But soon the companies found that running a telecom business in India simply wasn’t viable. Why? The costs were prohibitively high. There was an entry fee and fixed licence fee to be paid to the government each year. And companies weren’t making enough money to cover these costs. They suffered losses and some of them began to default on the fees too. So, the government tweaked the rules. They issued a revised telecom policy in 1999. And they ditched the fixed licence fee. Instead, they announced that the licence fee would be linked to the annual revenue of a telco. It would be on a percentage basis.And folks, here’s where the crux of today’s tax battle began.Get the full scoop in today's Finshots:https://bit.ly/407k33l

266

Pakistan's Caretaker Federal IT and Telecommunication Minister, Dr. Umar Saif, is leading an ambitious plan to boost the country's tech exports. The goal is to generate $10 billion in annual tech exports by enabling one million freelancers to earn $30 each daily, with government support for funding and co-working spaces to be provided within the next two to three months. Pakistan is also in discussions with PayPal to streamline export proceeds, and there are plans to launch 5G within eight months.The initiatives are part of an effort to bolster Pakistan's IT sector, which currently stands at approximately $2.5 billion in annual exports. Government measures, including allowing IT professionals to retain more of their earnings in foreign currency accounts within Pakistan, aim to bridge this gap. Dr. Saif emphasized the importance of venture capital and private-sector co-working spaces in realizing this ambitious plan, which could represent a significant economic boost for Pakistan.

160

1 Comment

We can't progress with these policies in Pakistan. High tax paying individuals are being stopped to work by power cuts, Internet shutdowns, VPN disruptions and many more. Who is going to tell Policy makers in Gov, if you really want to progress as a country provide enabling environment to your people to work and progress to pay you more taxes.

32

2 Comments

Over the course of three days, the recent riots in Pakistan have caused significant losses to the telecom and IT sectors. Reports indicate that the telecom sector alone has suffered losses of 2.046 billion rupees.This is due to the shutdown of mobile broadband services, which the government typically receives 28.5 crore rupees in tax revenue per day. As a result, the government has lost an estimated 86 crore rupees in tax revenue during the three-day shutdown. In addition, the IT sector has been hit hard, with the All Pakistan Software Export Association reporting losses of 10 billion rupees over the same three-day period, equivalent to a daily turnover of 12 million dollars.Pakistan has faced a 3-day internet shutdown that has caused significant losses to businesses across the country, with estimates suggesting a loss of over Rs. 30 billion. The blackout was enforced following nationwide protests over the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

24

2 Comments