Kathmandu, July 16

Owing to the government’s decision to impose telecommunications service charge (TSC) on internet services and raise TSC for telecom service providers, internet service providers and telecom companies are increasing the internet subscription fee and voice call charges effective from Tuesday.

Through the budget for fiscal year 2018-19, the government had announced that it would impose 13 per cent TSC on internet service providers (ISPs) and raise TSC for telecom service providers by two percentage points to 13 per cent.

ISPs and telecom companies are adjusting the TSC on internet fees and voice calls accordingly by making these services dearer in the country from Tuesday.

“Internet fees will be hiked by almost 14 per cent effective from Tuesday. As ISPs cannot bear the added financial burden from the new tax system, we are adjusting internet cost accordingly,” informed Sudheer Parajuli, former president of the Internet Service Providers’ Association of Nepal.

Similarly, different telecom companies, including Ncell, have already announced they will adjust the TSC on phone calls and internet services starting from Tuesday.

Currently, 15Mbps/month broadband internet package — the minimum internet package being provided by ISPs in the country — costs almost Rs 1,000.

Similarly, telecom companies are offering voice call service at an average rate of one rupee per minute.

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