A joint task force is necessary to establish a conducive taxation regime for rapid roll out of the broadband services in the country, according to a latest study on Digital Bangladesh.
The study suggests forming a joint task force, comprising ministries of finance and ICT, and National Board of Revenue (NBR) to rationalise tax regime that will balance government’s entitlement to reasonable and stable revenue with the needs of operators to be able to predict tax effects.
Having access to the mobile internet is difficult for many Bangladeshi because of the combined effect of low spending power, device costs, and usage costs. Besides, the government’s taxes and fees constitute an additional barrier as taxes amount up to 17.6% of the cost of owning and using a mobile phone.
The study titled “Realising Digital Bangladesh” was conducted by LIRNEasia, a Telecom think-tank in association with Telenor Group and Grameenphone.Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu unveiled the study report at a city hotel yesterday.
Zunaid Ahmed Palak, state minister for ICT division, Rajeev Sethi, CEO of Grameenphone, Anir Chowdhury, policy advisor of Access to Information (A2i) and Rohan Samarajiva, CEO of LIRNEasia were present on this occasion. RohanSamarajiva presented the study report.
The study, which compiled the achievements so far made in realising Digital Bangladesh, identified priority actions needed for the next step of development and setting success measurement standards.
It pointed out some areas like youth employment, healthcare, education and climate change, which need special attention to realise Digital Bangladesh.
It also mentioned that mobile broadband would need to be supplemented by a quality and widespread fibre network. Competition should be opened up for building better quality fibre network.
Addressing the occasion HasanulHaqInu said, “This report will help us to implement Digital Bangladesh in a pragmatic way.”
Zunaid Ahmed Palak said, “Both public and private sector need to work together to implement Digital Bangladesh.”
AnirChowdhury, policy advisor of A2i, Prime Minister’s Office said, “We need a win-win ecosystem, where all public and private stakeholders will be benefited equally. There should be a holistic approach by all stakeholders to implement Digital Bangladesh.”
Grameenphone CEO Rajeev Sethisaid, “Providing universal and affordable access to Internet is the core to Digital Bangladesh. If we have the right regulatory and investment environment, we will be able to provide internet for all to support the implementation of Digital Bangladesh.”
