As per the first federal budget of 2075/76, Nepal government has announced to make provision to charge 13% Telecommunication Service Charge (TSC) on Internet Services and as well as on phone calls. Telecom companies are preparing to hike the price of phone calls and internet services as per the increased tax rate. “As ISPs are not in a position to bear the added financial burden from the new tax system, we will adjust internet cost accordingly, effective from 1st Shrawan( July 17). Internet cost is bound to increase by almost 14 percent,” Sudheer Parajuli, former president of Internet Service Providers’ Association of Nepal.
This means that cost for 15Mbps/month broadband internet package — the minimum internet package being provided by ISPs in the country — which costs almost Rs 1,000 now will rise by around Rs 150 from Shrawan 1, 2075(17th July 2018).
NTC is planning to raise the cost of internet service and voice calls. “We are yet to decide on this front,” informed Prativa Vaidhya, spokesperson for NT.
“Internet fees will be raised by 13 percent and charges on voice call service will also be raised by two percent. This decision was implemented by Nepal government and will be applicable to our services soon,” Ncell mentioned in a tweet recently.
“As international bandwidth cost is constantly coming down, ISPs can operate without increasing internet fee to make their services competitive,” Min Prasad Aryal, spokesperson for NTA.
What do you want to say about this price hike? We would love to see your reactions in comments below.
