(a) whether the Government has increased the cost for accessing
Internet recently and has already increased the levy from April, 2012;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the reasons therefor?
(a) whether the Government has increased the cost for accessing
Internet recently and has already increased the levy from April, 2012;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY (SHRI MILIND DEORA)
(a) to (b) No Madam. The cost of accessing Internet is not fixed
by the Government. The tariff for internet services are governed by the
Telecom Tariff Order(s) issued by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
from time to time.
However, the Government has decided to levy a uniform licence
fee as 8% of “Adjusted Gross Revenue(AGR)†on all Internet Service
Providers in phased manner, in two steps starting from 01.07.2012.
(c) This decision for imposing Uniform Licence Fee for various
Telecom Service Providers was taken in the interest of ending arbitrage
in the licence fee, ensuring simplicity & transparency, expanding
licence fee base and ensuring a level playing field between different
services, with due consideration of the revenue receipts of the
Government and the growth of Telecom services in the country.