Cost of Tajik Internet Access Going Up by Four Percent

Opponents say new tax regulations could have a negative impact on the development of the Internet sector in Tajikistan.

DUSHANBE – Tajikistan's Association of Internet Service Providers says the cost of accessing the Internet in the Central Asian country is set to increase by four percent starting July 1.

According to the independent group, the price hike is being implemented in the wake of a Dushanbe court's order that Internet service providers follow tax rules introduced in 2011.

Last year, Tajikistan's state tax committee raised duties for Internet service providers by three percent.

The providers, however, refused to accept the increase, calling it "illegal."

The association said the court on June 4 ordered the providers to pay all overdue taxes accumulated since the new tax rules were announced.

The group said the increased tariff was likely to have a negative impact on the development of the Internet sector in the impoverished nation.