The Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association has called for the reversal of the recent decision to increase taxes on telecommunication and internet services. The demand was made during a human chain protest in front of the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka, with around 200 participants gathering at 11:00 AM today. The participants criticized the decision, calling it “imprudent.”
On Thursday, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued a gazette that imposed higher taxes on nearly 100 products and services, including telecommunications. The supplementary duty on mobile phone usage has been increased from 20% to 23%, meaning mobile phone users will now face a total tax burden of 42.45%, including supplementary duty, VAT, and surcharge, up from 39%.
The new policy also affects internet prices, with a 10% supplementary duty (SD) now being applied to broadband internet services, leading to an increase in overall internet costs for users. The mobile phone consumers association has expressed concerns over the financial impact of these increased taxes on consumers, especially in light of the growing reliance on digital services.
