The fee for the use of the radio frequency spectrum has been supplemented with a new rate

The fee for the use of the radio frequency spectrum has been supplemented with a new rate

From January 1, 2023, a new rate of payment for satellite communications using non-geostationary satellites will be in effect. This was reported in the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Such additions to the Tax Code were made by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated July 11, 2022 No. 135-VII SAM. From 2023, the annual fee rates for the use of the radio frequency spectrum will be supplemented with a new line "satellite communications using non-geostationary satellites"

The non-geostationary satellite communication system was introduced in order to address the issue of "digital inequality" among the population of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as to improve socio-economic conditions due to the availability of basic guaranteed services to the population and the development of small and medium-sized businesses, measures were taken to ensure high-speed Internet access throughout the country.

For a bandwidth of 2 MHz for reception/2 MHz for transmission, a new rate is set at 1 MCI for one receiving and transmitting device of the interface station.

At the same time, annual fee rates are reduced by 90 percent from the date of acceptance of the corresponding obligations by telecom operators who have independently allocated at least the released funds from the reduction of the corresponding fee rate to finance broadband Internet access projects in rural settlements using satellite technologies.

The amounts of the fee paid by the payers are not refunded.

In order to formalize such obligations, telecom operators send permission to use the radio frequency spectrum to the authorized body in the field of communications, which makes obligations and returns permission to use the radio frequency spectrum to the telecom operator.

Telecom operators submit to the authorized body in the field of communications annual audited information on the financing of these projects after fulfilling the relevant obligations.