No support for mobile operators in proposed budget: AMTOB

The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) said that the proposed budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year does not meet the expectations of mobile operators.

In response to the budget, AMTOB expressed hope for a tax reduction on mobile handsets to boost smartphone usage and support the growth of the data sector. However, the proposed budget includes no such measures or signs of related initiatives.

In a statement issued on Wednesday (June 4), the organization representing the country’s mobile operators said, "Over the past decade, the steady increase in taxation on the mobile telecom sector has made it increasingly difficult for operators to achieve a reasonable return on their investments. On top of that, the introduction of a 10% supplementary duty on OTT platforms in the budget could affect the accessibility and affordability of digital content—creating a barrier to building a knowledge-based society."

The statement further said, "While we had submitted several key recommendations — including lowering the corporate tax rate for both listed and non-listed operators, eliminating SIM tax, SIM replacement tax and 1% surcharge,"

AMTOB has welcomed the interim government's decision to lower the minimum corporate tax on the mobile sector from 2% to 1.5%. The association also thanked the relevant authorities for addressing the longstanding issues related to the Proof of Submission of Return (PSR) requirements for the BTRC and other non-income-generating regulatory bodies. Against this backdrop, AMTOB is optimistic about the swift resolution of similar long-standing issues with other government agencies.

AMTOB stated, "We appreciate the recent changes and remain hopeful that the government will consider our remaining proposals to help further unlock the nation’s full digital potential."