The internet and call packages are about to get expensive in Pakistan, as two major telecommunication companies have requested the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to raise the tariffs.
The companies have appealed for an increase in the internet and mobile tariffs due to rising prices of diesel and petrol, as a result of the conflict between the US and Iran.
According to the media reports, the companies told PTA that a large amount of diesel is consumed by the generators to keep a smooth internet connection with users.
The connectivity maintenance heavily relies on the generators, as they are diesel-driven, and are responsible for operating the telecom sites in off-grid and remote areas.
The recent peak loadshedding has increased the demand for backup generators, due to which the operational costs have also increased.
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The companies also said that due to a price hike in the petroleum products, they will not be able to provide uninterrupted connectivity to the subscribers.
They stated that if the tariffs were not increased, providing services in the areas with a higher rate of loadshedding would become a great problem.
Therefore, the telecom companies have requested the PTA to increase the tariffs on internet and call packages to tackle the fuel prices.
As per the sources, the companies have also noted that if the tariffs of electricity increase in the coming future under the Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA), it would further add to the tariffs of internet services.
Currently, due to the Middle East conflict and the uncertain situation at the Strait of Hormuz, it is not yet possible to determine whether the prices of petroleum products will be lifted.
The petroleum prices in Pakistan as of today are as follows:
- Petrol= Rs366.58
- Diesel= Rs385.54
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