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| Prof Mbawara |
The
government has abolished value added tax (VAT) on digital decoders to enable
the public purchase them as the country switches over from analogue to digital
broadcasting.
The
Minister for Communications, Science and Technology Prof Makame Mbarawa revealed
this while opening the Ministry’s Workers Council meeting in Dar es Salaam.
“In
the 2012/13 financial budget, VAT has been abolished on decoders to enable the
public purchase them as we switch over from the analogue to digital,” he
revealed. Prof Mbarawa said that the deadline to switch over is December 31,
this year and at 12am the digital system will be operational.
According
to the minister, use of digital technology in radio and Television broadcasting
would increase value and quality of broadcasting services. “For that matter, I
call upon the Ministry and Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA)
to create public awareness on the changes,” he stated.
The
minister said that the elimination of analogue broadcasting to digital is bound
by an international agreement that by June 7, 2015 all broadcasting worldwide
will be digital.
In
another development, Prof Mbarawa said first and second phases of connecting
the undersea communication cable have been completed and is already in use.
“The
third and fourth phases are still underway,” he said adding the completion of
the first and second phases with a total of 7560 kilometres has been connected
to all regions and other East African Countries.
“The
implementation of the cable programme has shown many benefits including reduced
communication services charges for communication companies that have been
connected,” he noted.
In
the country, he said five communication companies have been connected to the
cable. The companies according to the minister include TTCL, Simbanet, Tigo,
Airtel and Zantel.
Source: The Daily News,http://www.dailynews.co.tz, reported by Anne Robi
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