The increase in taxes and customs duties imposed on the telecommunications sector is one of the main obstacles to the development of telecommunications networks and services, as well as the Internet, in Tunisia, according to the Minister of Communication Technologies, Nizar Ben Néji. Answering questions from MPs during a plenary session dedicated to the review of the budget of the Ministry of Communication Technologies on Monday, Ben Néji pointed out that a number of municipalities impose additional fees on telecommunications operators. These municipalities impose these fees when they install base stations or fibre optic networks, resulting in an increase in charges and a delay in the development of networks, he explained. The Minister highlighted the difficulties in identifying areas for the installation of new stations due to the nature of land ownership, particularly in mountainous, rural and remote areas. He reiterated the Ministry's efforts to generalise the Internet network, in particular communica tion services in the interior regions, adding that acts of looting of copper cables had deprived several regions of coverage until the costly maintenance and reinstallation of the network had been completed. At the end of the discussions, the deputies approved the budget of the Ministry of Communication Technologies for the year 2024 with 118 votes in favour, 8 abstentions and 5 votes against. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse