Comments on: Bangladesh government’s effort to slow down mobile growth finally likely to bear results http://lirneasia.net/2008/09/bangladesh-governments-efforts-to-slow-down-mobile-growth-finally-likely-to-bear-results/ a regional ICT policy and regulation think tank active across the Asia Pacific Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:34:12 +0000 hourly 1 By: Amar http://lirneasia.net/2008/09/bangladesh-governments-efforts-to-slow-down-mobile-growth-finally-likely-to-bear-results/comment-page-1/#comment-15289 Amar Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:36:31 +0000 http://lirneasia.net/?p=2417#comment-15289 @Rohan Samarajiva Thanks, I appreciate the offer but, unfortunately I am still a student currently residing in USA. Nonetheless, we (readers) appreciated the detail reports you guys post here. Thanks @Rohan Samarajiva

Thanks, I appreciate the offer but, unfortunately I am still a student currently residing in USA. Nonetheless, we (readers) appreciated the detail reports you guys post here. Thanks

]]> By: Rohan Samarajiva http://lirneasia.net/2008/09/bangladesh-governments-efforts-to-slow-down-mobile-growth-finally-likely-to-bear-results/comment-page-1/#comment-15255 Rohan Samarajiva Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:07:29 +0000 http://lirneasia.net/?p=2417#comment-15255 Mr Amar, You seem to be well informed about the sector developments in Bangladesh. I will be at the Dhaka Radisson Oct 8th (whole day). If you are interested, might to useful to chat. Pls communicate through the address under the "contact" button. Mr Amar, You seem to be well informed about the sector developments in Bangladesh. I will be at the Dhaka Radisson Oct 8th (whole day). If you are interested, might to useful to chat. Pls communicate through the address under the “contact” button.

]]> By: Rohan Samarajiva http://lirneasia.net/2008/09/bangladesh-governments-efforts-to-slow-down-mobile-growth-finally-likely-to-bear-results/comment-page-1/#comment-15254 Rohan Samarajiva Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:04:16 +0000 http://lirneasia.net/?p=2417#comment-15254 Governments are increasingly using mobile operators as tax collectors. The VAT and various mobile levies (including the SIM tax) fall into the category of taxes the government directly imposes on customers, using the operator as a tax collector. Abu Saeed seems to have referred to corporate taxes. Many people wrongly think corporate taxes are paid by the corporations. In actual fact, they are paid by customers. The only taxes we do not object to are general value-added taxes. The others distort market signals. Governments are increasingly using mobile operators as tax collectors. The VAT and various mobile levies (including the SIM tax) fall into the category of taxes the government directly imposes on customers, using the operator as a tax collector.

Abu Saeed seems to have referred to corporate taxes. Many people wrongly think corporate taxes are paid by the corporations. In actual fact, they are paid by customers.

The only taxes we do not object to are general value-added taxes. The others distort market signals.

]]> By: Amar http://lirneasia.net/2008/09/bangladesh-governments-efforts-to-slow-down-mobile-growth-finally-likely-to-bear-results/comment-page-1/#comment-15253 Amar Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:46:22 +0000 http://lirneasia.net/?p=2417#comment-15253 I included total payment to the Govt. Tax + VAT I included total payment to the Govt. Tax + VAT

]]> By: Abu Saeed Khan http://lirneasia.net/2008/09/bangladesh-governments-efforts-to-slow-down-mobile-growth-finally-likely-to-bear-results/comment-page-1/#comment-15247 Abu Saeed Khan Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:47:00 +0000 http://lirneasia.net/?p=2417#comment-15247 I have not created the numbers. A <a href="http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=45036" rel="nofollow">report of the Daily Star </a> is my reference. I have just used US$1=Tk.68.45 conversion rate for the general readers' understanding. I have not created the numbers. A report of the Daily Star is my reference. I have just used US$1=Tk.68.45 conversion rate for the general readers’ understanding.

]]> By: Amar http://lirneasia.net/2008/09/bangladesh-governments-efforts-to-slow-down-mobile-growth-finally-likely-to-bear-results/comment-page-1/#comment-15235 Amar Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:08:55 +0000 http://lirneasia.net/?p=2417#comment-15235 @Abu Saeed Khan GP actually Paid over $300 Million in Taxes. @Abu Saeed Khan

GP actually Paid over $300 Million in Taxes.

]]> By: Abu Saeed Khan http://lirneasia.net/2008/09/bangladesh-governments-efforts-to-slow-down-mobile-growth-finally-likely-to-bear-results/comment-page-1/#comment-15194 Abu Saeed Khan Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:03:28 +0000 http://lirneasia.net/?p=2417#comment-15194 Grameenphone paid US$63.55 million corporate tax in 2007-08 fiscal year and became the highest contributor in this category. Moreover Grameenphone, Banglalink and TMIB have contributed 23% of the total top ten value-added tax by paying $338 million at the same time. The government is basically slaughtering this golden goose with SIM tax. The mobile operators are still subsidizing and the cost of subscription will be further up once the subsidy is totally withdrawn to improve their EBIDTA margin. Yet the government will keep on asking for the golden eggs! By the way, the government is contemplating to introduce Universal Service Fund. The World Bank is also supporting it. Cheers! Grameenphone paid US$63.55 million corporate tax in 2007-08 fiscal year and became the highest contributor in this category. Moreover Grameenphone, Banglalink and TMIB have contributed 23% of the total top ten value-added tax by paying $338 million at the same time.

The government is basically slaughtering this golden goose with SIM tax. The mobile operators are still subsidizing and the cost of subscription will be further up once the subsidy is totally withdrawn to improve their EBIDTA margin. Yet the government will keep on asking for the golden eggs!

By the way, the government is contemplating to introduce Universal Service Fund. The World Bank is also supporting it. Cheers!

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