I would like to thank the government for decreasing the cost of International Private Leased Circuits (IPLC) on SAFE which will be reduced by 25% in the 2006/07 budget. Therefore the price of ADSL and Internet in Mauritius will be reduced.

Mauritius is among countries where the rate of ADSL and Internet is very expensive. Mauritius Telecom (MT) has only 10,000 clients for ADSL and a lot of publicity is being done. But it is a shame for MT because it is only 0.008% of the Mauritian population, which have ADSL. By now (year 2006), MT should have around 150,000 – 250,000 clients for ADSL.

In year 2005, prices on SAFE were decreased by 20% in Mauritius. But the decrease on ADSL by MT was only 5%. And no decrease on normal Internet (dial-up connection) has been done! Now we are waiting for ADSL to decrease by 40% and 45% for normal Internet. Of course, we are all expecting:

ADSL 128Kb for Rs 400

ADSL 512Kb for Rs 800

ADSL 1Mb for Rs 3,500

Dial-up for 15c per min

Why should VAT be applied to ADSL and Internet? Many countries have removed all tax from ADSL and Internet. But why not Mauritius? We are living in a cyber island, we are bringing the latest technology such as WiMax, 3G, ADSL TV, etc… Let’s prove to the world that Mauritius is really a cyber island by removing VAT.

We have been lagging behind for years in ICT in Mauritius. We must work very hard to improve. Reducing the price of Internet is the best sort of progress we can make. Then, everyone specially those from lower income families will be able to afford an Internet connection thus reducing the rate of computer illiterates in our country. ICT is our future. And our future lies in the hands of MT and ICTA.

The government of Mauritius has made big efforts in the field of ICT for our cyber island. Now it is the turn of Mauritius Telecom and ICTA to react.

<B>Kevin

Student of the University Of Mauritius</B>