Telecom sector in crisis as perverse policy hits industry

Urges govt to resolve policy linking telecom licence fees to US dollar

ISLAMABAD:

The telecom sector in Pakistan is facing dire consequences due to a policy that ties spectrum fees to US dollar, pushing the industry into a state reminiscent of the dark ages. The latest business confidence survey conducted by the Overseas Investors Chambers of Commerce & Industries (OICCI) has revealed a significant decline in confidence among businesses in 2023.

The telecom services industry bears the brunt of a 34.5% tax on telecom services, coupled with a 29% corporate income tax and a 4% super tax imposed last year, with further proposed increases in the budget. These exorbitant taxes mean that more than half of the telecom sector’s earnings go directly to the government. Additionally, the industry is crippled by a dollarized cost structure and interest rate hike, leading to a steep rise in business costs for telecom companies.

The impact of this policy is far-reaching. The devaluation of the Pakistani rupee has severely affected the sector, as spectrum prices, renewals, and even instalment interest are linked to the US dollar. Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital operator, highlighted an alarming 86% increase in forex rates over the past two years, creating immense uncertainty and jeopardising the telecom business case.

Ibrahim expressed deep concern over the dire situation faced by the telecom sector. In a tweet, he emphasised the declining business confidence among OICCI members and underscored the sector’s vital contribution to the economy. With a total investment of $25 billion and over Rs1.1 trillion in exchequer contributions from FY17-22 alone, the telecom sector’s plight cannot be ignored, he said.

The situation is further aggravated by soaring network energisation costs. Fuel and electricity tariffs have skyrocketed by 172% and 67% respectively, placing a heavy burden on the already capital-intensive telecom industry. Furthermore, even a slight increase in interest rates translates into an additional financial burden of Rs1.5 billion for the sector, which has witnessed a staggering fourteen-percentage-point increase compared to 2021.

The telecom industry now stands on the verge of an existential crisis, demanding immediate intervention from the government. Ibrahim stressed the urgent need to resolve the policy that links telecom license fees to the US dollar. Such a resolution is crucial to safeguard the sector’s sustainability and ensure the provision of essential digital connectivity.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2023.

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