A new proposal that has been approved by the Senate for a tax on incoming telephone calls and SMS messages to help finance the 911 service is rejected by the telecommunications companies in the Dominican Republic. The companies argue that international long distance calls are already declining and the new tax will accelerate their demise. The telecoms say the estimated funds would not be collected.
The tax primarily affects those living abroad. The telecoms say the cost of these will increase with the implementation of the tax.
The telecoms also reject the anti-fraud system contemplated in the bill indicating that it attempts against the privacy of their clients.
The telecoms say they have contributed more than RD$260 million to the operation of the 911 service.
The bill now moves to the Chamber of Deputies for approval.
18 July 2017
