As debate continues on the move taken by government to introduce 10 percent tax on sms and Internet, one of the mobile service providers in the country Telkom Networks Malawi (TNM) has announced that it will effect new sms and data charges starting from 1st July, 2015.

This has been disclosed in a Statement made available to FaceofMalawi, saying this follows the introduction of tax in SMS and data by Malawi government in the 2015/16 budget.

According to the Statement, TNM customers sending a text message to other networks will be charged MK25 from MK22 while TNM-TNM customers will be charged MK18 from MK16.

On International networks, TNM customers expected to be charged MK45 from MK40 and on Internet Data customers will now spending K28 from K25 per MB.

Minister of Finance and Economic Development Goodall Gondwe when presenting the budget three weeks ago said government had effected to 10 percent tax on SMS and Internet Data to solicit funds for the 2015/16 national budget.

The development did not go down well with the Opposition Members of Parliament who trashed the move, saying this will hamper communication in the country.

As this was not enough, Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) wrote the Minister to reverse the decision, saying this will have huge bearing on communication considering the fact most Malawians live below poverty line.

Meanwhile Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the country are expected to hold demonstration on June 30 to express their anger on the matter in the capital Lilongwe.