Hike in customs duty on PCBA of certain telecom equipment will raise services cost: COAI on Budget

Industry body COAI on Tuesday said the Budget proposal to hike basic customs duty on printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) of certain telecom equipment to 15 per cent, will raise the cost of providing services, as telcos constantly upgrade their networks. COAI also rued that the industry’s long-standing demands, including reduction in licence fee levy, has not been addressed.

“The government has also proposed to increase Basic Customs Duty from 10 per cent to 15 per cent on PCBA of certain specified telecom equipment.