Aiming to give a fillip to the broadband segment, operators have reportedly asked the Ministry of Finance to waive the service tax imposed on internet services.
They have also asked the Ministry to eliminate the requirement of providing one?s PAN number while acquiring a new telephone connection.
Currently, all telecom services carry a 12 per cent service tax. Operators have also asked the Ministry to rationalise levies and duties, including a uniform annual revenue share of up to 6 per cent and exempting distributors of telecom services from paying service tax.
With regard to the PAN number issue, operators have said that this requirement hinders the penetration of broadband services especially in rural areas, keeping in mind that most rural users may not have a PAN number.
