Mobile recharge cards, Internet service prices to be reduced

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Minister of Communications, Hayam Al-Yasiri, announced that the prices of mobile phone recharge cards and internet subscriptions will be reduced by 20 percent starting from the first of December.

Last Tuesday, the Iraqi cabinet decided to waive the tax on mobile phone recharge cards and Internet services which is 20 percent starting from next month.

The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, explained that this tax was imposed in 2015, and it is deducted from users through service operators. He also noted that it exhausted the Iraqis, especially those with limited income.

Head of the Communications and Media Commission (CMC), Ali Al-Moayad, elaborated that a decision was issued in 2015 to impose a tax on the sales of mobile recharge cards because Iraq was in a state of austerity at that time due to the reduced oil prices.

Al-Moayad added that this tax will be cancelled because oil prices now rose.

“The 20 percent tax burdened the citizens. Communications and internet are among the basic rights for every citizen,” Al-Moayad clarified.  

The government decision was widely welcomed by the Iraqis, and this can be seen through the comments and reactions of the Iraqis on social media. Many Iraqis considered that the decision will have a positive impact on the citizens, especially those with limited income.