Tax rates on telecom and internet services should be reduced: BMPCA

On the occasion of World Telecommunication Day, Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association (BMPCA) held a rally in front of the National Press Club on Friday morning with various awareness placards. At the end of the rally, standing in front of the Osmani Auditorium adjacent to the Secretariat, a speech was given drawing the attention of the government and regulatory bodies with the aim of reducing the tax rate on telecommunication services to protect customer rights, freedom, security, prevention of abuse, digital devices for all, quality and affordable internet services.

While speaking as the President, Mohiuddin Ahmed said that in speaking of the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-25, the tax on the customer stands at 39 percent, which is the highest in South Asia. While in India 18 percent, the bankrupt state of Pakistan is 34.5% which is currently one percent higher than Bangladesh. It is not possible to fulfill the dream of building a smart Bangladesh by imposing taxes like this. Because still 42 percent of the population of the country is not connected to the mobile phone service. Where the government wants to include all marginalized groups in the country in telecommunication and internet services, high rates will deprive people of these services.

President of Krishak Jantar League MA Jalil, Anisur Rahman Desh, Raju Ahmed Khan, Swapan Saha, Sheikh Badsha Uddin Mintu, Doctor Aminul Islam, Sheikh Farid and others spoke on the occasion.

They urged the government not to do anything more on the country's broadband internet. They said, if the government wants to bring broadband connectivity to every house in the country, the broadband connectivity will be blocked if the tax is increased. Therefore, the government should take steps to reduce taxes without increasing them and to include all communities in telecommunication services.