The cost of internet services in Afghanistan will decrease by 60 to 80%

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) is working on a draft plan, suggested by the president, to lower the cost of internet services to the public.  According to the MCIT spokesman, Najib Nangiyal, the cost of internet services could drop by between 60 and 80 percent within the next three months. “According to a decree by President (Ashraf Ghani) during a meeting last week, we are working on a plan and the cost of internet services will decrease by 60 to 80 percent across the country and in all telecommunication companies,” he said. Eight months ago, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology vowed to decrease the cost of internet services by up to 20 percent. However, Kabul residents claim that no change has occurred in price nor in the quality of services provided. Kabul residents said this time the promise made by the ministry is similar to the commitment it made in the past – which was not delivered on. “The private telecommunication companies are thinking about filling their pockets not about the quality of their services or decreasing the prices. But government has control over the state-owned company,” said Waheedullah, a resident of Kabul. “They (the telecommunication companies) should try to decrease the price at some level and deliver their commitments which they make every day,” said Rahmat, a resident of Kabul. According to MCIT, at least 3.5 million people are using internet services in the country. The ministry says the number will considerably increase in the upcoming years.
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