Telcos increase costs of services

Three telecommunication companies have announced an upward review of the cost of their services, beginning Thursday, November 1.

This comes in the wake of amendments to Acts 970, 971 and 972 as announced in the mid-year budget review presented by Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta in July.

The amendments see the separation of the NHIL and GETFund from the Value Added Tax (VAT).

A press release by the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications the review by MTN, Vodafone and AirtelTigo is in strict compliance to Ghana’s laws.

“Our members, who are responsible corporate entities, would comply fully with Ghana’s laws and ensure the distinction between VAT and the new levies emanating from their separate origins and basis in law."

“As intended, the incidence of the two new levies will thus be on consumers and will result result in the increase of the cost of telecommunication services.”

Mobile phone users are expected to be notified by their service providers of any changes before implementation on November 1.