As Punjab government has imposed 19,5% general sales tax on internet services, Ufone and Mobilink have decided to increase tariffs for mobile internet in order to save themselves from any loss. It is important to mention here that increase in tax on internet services highly met with massive criticism from industry and consumers due to which Punjab Government had also decided to withdrawn taxes on internet.
However when no legal notification for decrease in internet taxes was issued after the verbal announcement of withdrawal of increased taxes by Punjab government, telecom operators have increased their rates for 2G,3G and 4G networks. After Ufone and Mobilink, Telenor, Zong and Warid are also expected to increase the tariffs for mobile internet after 19.5 internet tax in coming few days.
Ufone & Mobilink New 3G Rates:
There is a complete details of new rates for 3G services of both Ufone and Mobilink:
Ufone:
- Daily Lite 3G Bucket: Rs. 11.95
- Daily Heavy 3G Bucket: Rs. 17.93
- Daily Special 3G Bucket: Rs. 5.93
- Mega Internet 3G Bucket: Rs. 7.17
- 3 Day 3G Bucket: Rs. 29.88
- Weekly Lite 3G Bucket: Rs. 59.75
- Weekly Heavy 3G Bucket: Rs. 149.38
- Monthly 1GB 3G Bucket: Rs. 298.75
- Monthly 3GB 3G Bucket: Rs. 597.50
- Monthly 10GB 3G Bucket: Rs. 1,195
- Social Daily Bucket: Rs. 5.98
- Social Monthly Bucket: Rs. 59.75
- Default Tariff: Rs. 23.90 per MB
Mobilink:
- Daily Lite Internet: Rs. 9.56
- 3G Daily: Rs. 17.925
- 3G Daily Super: Rs. 29.875
- 3G 3-Day: Rs. 41.825
- 3G Weekly: Rs. 71.7
- 3G Weekly Super: Rs. 119.5
- 3G Monthly 2GB: Rs. 239
- 3G Monthly 4500MB: Rs. 478
- 3G Monthly 12000MB: Rs. 1195
- 3G Hybrid Monthly: Rs. 478
- Default Base Rate: Rs. 21.51 per MB
However these new rates for internet packages of Ufone will be applicable from 4th August, 2015 whereas Mobilink’s new rates has been applicable from 24th July, 2015. These new tariffs will be applied country regardless of Sindh and KPK because no court orders have been emerged on internet taxes in these provinces.
On the other hand, telecom operators are saying that they are helpless in this regard and mobile users are not supposed to complain against increased 3G rates. Mobile users should protest against government for the increment of 19.5% internet tax as most of the companies and industries are facing huge loss due to increase in internet tax and are also looking forward to increase rates due to this reason.
It is not a good news for all the mobile internet users as we know that a large number of users are using 3G internet packages these days. Increase in internet taxes is a high burden on mobile users as well as on telecom companies who are suffering from the unappropriated decision of Punjab government.