Internet Charges Likely to Escalate from Next Fiscal Year

Internet Charges Likely to Escalate from Next Fiscal Year

The Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have announced that the internet charges are likely to escalate from next fiscal year. The decision has been made following the budget statement last week which introduced a flurry price hike.

From the next fiscal year, i.e. July 17, the internet charges will likely escalate by 20 percent. The new tariff means that the average monthly cost of an internet connection will jump from NPR. 1400 to NPR. 1680.

The president of Internet Service Providers’ Association, Bhoj Raj Bhatta said, “Last year, we had adjusted the telecom service charge in our operating costs at the government’s request.” He further said that the adjustment and the government’s inability to fulfill the terms of the agreement resulted in a heavy loss of revenue to ISPs.

The ISPs increased the internet charges last year, however, following the widespread criticism from the public and under pressure from the Government, the ISPs agreed to roll back the decision to raise internet fees.

When asked about the whole situation last year (the increment and then withdrawal of price hike), Bhatta said, “But the continuation of the service charge in the next fiscal has put us in a difficult financial position, and we have no alternative but to raise internet charges. We internet service providers do not take the blame for the rise in prices, but the government should.”

Witnessing the facts by Mr. Bhatta, it looks as if the decision of escalating internet charges will not be withdrawn like last time.