Telecom Infrastructure providers seek simpler GST regime

The Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (Dipa) Tuesday sought a flexible regulatory and policy regime including goods and service tax (GST) in a run up to the Union Budget 2024.

“The budget should outline supportive policies, simplified regulations, and simple GST norms to aid in the development of the telecom infrastructure industry,” TR Dua, Director-General, Dipa said.

The Delhi-based group has also written to the Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman, seeking support for the telecom infrastructure industry in the upcoming budget.

Dipa represents Pratap Technocrats, Crest Digitel American Tower Corporation, Indus Towers, Ascend Telecom, Summit Digitel, iBUS Networks and Suyog Telematics.

Telecom infrastructure companies, represented by Dipa sought Centre’s support for the availability of input tax-credit on telecom towers, increase in tax depreciation rate from 15% to 65% on batteries for industrial or commercial use to ensure cost recovery and rationalization of TDS provisions on purchase of electricity and fuel for operating telecom sites.

Measures to facilitate the ease of doing business will increase investment and contribute to the telecom industry’s long-term growth, Dua added.

Over the years, telecom infrastructure providers deployed more than 7.7 lakh towers hosting 27 lakh base transceiver stations in the country.