Kathmandu— Nepal's Minister for Information and Communications, Dr. Bikram Timilsina, instructed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority and Nepal Telecom to prioritize expanding access to quality telecommunication services nationwide on Monday, August 14th. The directive came during a meeting at the Ministry of Communications where consistent citizen complaints regarding weak telephone and internet service were discussed; the Minister emphasized that both the regulator and service provider must work effectively to address these issues and meet public expectations. Dr. Timilsina highlighted the government’s designation of the current fiscal year as a ‘year of transformation’ for the sector, demanding tangible results in service expansion and quality improvement.

Addressing Service Gaps and RTDF Funds

Dr. Timilsina noted that citizens in both remote areas and some urban centers continue to experience inadequate telephone and internet services. He also raised concerns about the effective use of funds collected through the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund (RTDF), intended for improving telecom access in rural regions. The Minister stressed that these public funds should directly benefit citizens, calling for improved oversight by the regulator and better service delivery from providers. “The RTDF is made up of public money. Citizens should benefit from it,” he said.

State Role in Remote Infrastructure

While acknowledging that service providers are capable of expanding infrastructure in profitable urban areas through private investment, Dr. Timilsina emphasized the crucial role of the state in extending services to remote regions where financial returns are limited. He stated that expansion efforts in these areas should prioritize providing basic telecommunication access to citizens rather than solely focusing on profit.

Optical Fiber Expansion and Project Acceleration

The Communications Minister specifically directed Nepal Telecom to expand its services and improve quality, with a particular focus on accelerating the expansion of optical fiber networks. He instructed relevant agencies to finalize long-delayed projects related to tower construction and optical fiber expansion within one week, accompanied by a detailed action plan for moving these initiatives forward. Dr. Timilsina also stressed the importance of coordination between government agencies like the Department of Roads and Nepal Electricity Authority to prevent delays.

Authority Reports on Ongoing Projects

Arjun Ghimire, Chairperson of Nepal Telecommunications Authority, informed the Minister that the Authority has been working to expand services using RTDF funds for some time, but acknowledged that progress on certain projects remains slow. He specifically mentioned that projects initiated for optical fiber expansion in Koshi, Bagmati, and Madhes provinces utilizing RTDF funding have yet to be completed.

The Ministry of Communications expects to see concrete improvements in telecommunication access and quality across Nepal in the coming months, with a focus on effective utilization of the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund and accelerated project implementation.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.