Telecom sector’s total revenues for fiscal year 2015/16 stood at Rs. 452.8 billion, slightly up from 446.2 billion reported during the previous year.
Figures for telecom sector revenues were revealed by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority moments ago and said that telecom sector grew by less than 2% during the year, mainly due to decline in LDI revenues after dismissal of ICH, increased competition and stagnant growth in voice revenues.
Mobile phone operators generated a total of Rs. 348.83 billion in revenues during 2015/16, up from Rs. 317.02 billion during the same period last year.
LDI operators made Rs. 23 million during 2015/16, down from Rs. 80.81 million that they had generated an year ago. This sharp decline in LDI revenues is mainly due to withdrawal of ICH, a drive that allowed long distance and international operators to fix international incoming call prices at higher rates.
Local loop operators showed Rs. 76.415 million in revenues during the reported period, almost double of Rs. 40.765 million that had generated an year ago.
Class Value Added Services showed remarkable growth and generated Rs. 43 million in revenues, up from just Rs. 3.78 million revenues a year ago.
Telecom Sector Contribution to National Exchequre
Despite all the tall claims and increase in 3G, 4G usage, the tax collection for the government has decreased almost 10%.
GST collection by telecom operators stood at Rs. 41.65 billion, down from 45.8 billion an year ago. This GST collection from telecom operators once touched Rs. 60.1 billion in 2013-14, but has been declining ever since.
PTA’s deposits during the report period stood at Rs. 34 billion, up from Rs. 7 billion a year ago.
Total funds collected from telecom sector stood at Rs. 157.85 billion, up from 126.3 billion a year ago. Major contributor for increase in telecom’s contribution towards national exchequer include the proceeds from spectrum fee that PTA received from telecom operators.
These telcos are doing a marvelous job at milking this impoverished nation
With real estate already strangled, telecom sector too is taking last breaths. ISPs too are bearing the brunt of imposition of advanced tax. Textiles are dead since long, What else remains? Anda, murgi, dahi? Well, that won’t be taxed anytime soon, the little king owns a lot of it.