KATHMANDU, Aug 24: The government is moving ahead with a campaign to make public services and daily activities more digital, with plans to expand high-quality broadband internet across Nepal within the next five years.
While unveiling the draft, Integrated Telecommunications Policy 2083, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority said it was working to expand broadband access, reduce service costs and advance the goal of a Digital Nepal.
The draft aims to provide broadband internet with a minimum speed of 50 Mbps to 80 percent of the population within five years. It also proposes consolidating the long-term Information and Communications Sector Policy 2059, Telecommunications Policy 2060, Broadband Policy 2071 and Information and Communication Technology Policy 2072.
The policy also seeks to facilitate implementation of the Satellite Policy 2077, National Cybersecurity Policy 2080, Radio Frequency Policy 2080 and National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2082. Within 10 years of adopting the new policy, the government aims to provide high quality broadband to 98 percent of the population.
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According to the authority, fixed broadband currently reaches only 11.32 percent of the population, while wireless broadband covers just 0.11 percent. Broadband access through fixed and wireless services currently reaches about 3.543 million people.
Mobile broadband, however, has reached 88 percent of the population, or around 27.73 million people.
Under the Telecommunications Service Quality Regulation 2079, 4G services are required to provide download speeds of 20 Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural areas. The authority said it plans to improve internet quality nationwide under these standards.
Authority spokesperson Min Prasad Aryal said the new policy would allow broadband quality to be improved by increasing 4G speeds or moving to 5G. While increasing speeds on fixed broadband would not pose major difficulties, mobile broadband would require infrastructure expansion and technological upgrades.
The authority has already asked service providers to submit 5G action plans and will proceed based on their proposals. It also plans to encourage commercial testing of 5G as demand for faster and more reliable internet continues to grow.
Once the new policy takes effect, consumers will also be able to choose their telecommunications service providers, with the authority planning to introduce the system within three years of the policy’s adoption.
The government also plans to attract foreign investment in telecommunications, requiring at least 20 percent domestic participation. It aims to establish the necessary legal framework within six months.
Once approved, the new policy will replace the Telecommunications Policy 2060, Broadband Policy 2071 and ICT Policy 2072. The authority said a new policy was necessary because several targets set by previous policies have already been achieved and new targets are needed to keep pace with technological changes.
The draft also aims to accelerate Nepal’s digital transformation, make daily life easier, promote inclusive economic growth and ensure equal access to digital opportunities. The authority expects the policy to improve productivity in sectors including industry, tourism and education.
