The telecoms companies are beginning to apply, starting this month, an increase of a 10% selective consumer tax, included in the Law for the Strengthening of the Collection Capacity of the State for the Fiscal Sustainability and Sustainable Development (Tax Reform). On the bills for the month of December the communications companies are telling their customers that they are applying the Selective Consumer Tax corresponding to their telephone service and television cable service as is established in article 21 of the law that was enacted by the Executive Branch last 10 November. The companies also informed their customers through their invoices or by letters that beginning on 1 January 2013 they will be applying the 18% VAT tax as stipulated in article 23 of the fiscal reform law.