On 27 December, the telecom minister Manoj Sinha told the Lok Sabha that the government is studying suggestions on net neutrality, and will try to sort out financial issues of telcos, and mobile phone bills will come down in the New Year.
Sinha said the IMG feels the financial stress for some telcos was caused by low operating cash flows over a number of years, inadequate equity infusion and debt, which does not appear sustainable.
The telecom department (DoT) has already urged the finance ministry to cut the goods & services tax (GST) on telecom services to 12% from the present 18%.
He added: “The DoT has recommended to the Department of Revenue (under the finance ministry) during the process of the budget exercise that a standard GST rate of 12% for telecom services be fixed in place of the existing 18%.”
Talking about net neutrality, the Minister said: “Government is committed to the fundamental principles and concept of net neutrality and strives for non-discriminatory access to internet for all citizens of the country.”
Some time back, the FCC in the US, headed by Indian origin chairman AjitPai, rolled back its rules on net neutrality.
The telecom department (DoT) has already urged the finance ministry to cut the goods & services tax (GST) on telecom services to 12% from the present 18%.
He added: “The DoT has recommended to the Department of Revenue (under the finance ministry) during the process of the budget exercise that a standard GST rate of 12% for telecom services be fixed in place of the existing 18%.”
Talking about net neutrality, the Minister said: “Government is committed to the fundamental principles and concept of net neutrality and strives for non-discriminatory access to internet for all citizens of the country.”
Some time back, the FCC in the US, headed by Indian origin chairman AjitPai, rolled back its rules on net neutrality.
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