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The telecommunication landscape is rapidly evolving, enabling information dissemination to every corner of the world. Under the liberalization framework established by the Telecommunications Act, 1996, Nepal Telecom and Ncell currently offer mobile services, while approximately 120 companies provide internet services.

The Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) regulates these service providers. Despite widespread mobile usage, revenue generation, and contributions to the government, there are looming uncertainties in the telecommunication sector.

Of the six telecom companies licensed by the government, only Nepal Telecom and Ncell remain operational. The current discussion in the sector revolves around the affordability and reliability of the services provided, the incorporation of new technologies, and how consumer interests are prioritized in these services. To address these contemporary issues, AP1 HD  organized a day-long discussion on the current status and future trajectory of telecommunications. Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka inaugurated the program. 

Speaking at the discussion, Captain Rameshwar Thapa, chairman of Annapurna Media, said there is a need to assess the present state of the telecommunication sector and plan for the future.

“I am confident that the collaborative discussions involving all stakeholders would guide the telecommunications sector,” Captain Thapa said. “We need to put focus on communication technology to achieve the government's goal of a digital Nepal, contributing not only to the prosperity of the telecommunication sector but also to the overall development of the country.”

Captain Thapa also said embracing technology to enhance accessibility will empower citizens and facilitate responsible governance for the government. “I urged the concerned entities to eliminate policy ambiguities and actively support the expansion of telecommunication services for the benefit of the public,” he added.

Addressing the program, Deputy Prime Minister Khadka said information and communication technology has become a crucial component of power in today's context. He also highlighted the significance of telecommunication in the challenging and remote terrains of Nepal. “Telecommunication holds greater importance than other infrastructures in Nepal,” he said, adding: 

“The rapid advancement of modern technology in the telecommunication sector and the dynamic changes in its structure is creating new opportunities. The government will prioritize the development and management of the telecommunication sector and ensure secure and accessible telecommunication services for all.”

Khadka said continuous investments in cutting-edge technology and unwavering efforts in innovation are opening new avenues for economic growth, social development, and overall progress. “The government will facilitate the sector by addressing political ambiguities and resolving legal complications in the telecommunication sector,” he added.

Additionally, Finance Secretary Dr. Krishna Hari Pushkar pointed out that the service providers in the telecommunication sector have yet to fully realize their potential, and the experts in the field have not effectively demonstrated their expertise. “The government remains committed to facilitating development, expansion, and business growth of the telecommunication sector. “If you think there are things that the government needs to look into, do inform us in writing. The ministry will promptly address them,” he added. 

Also speaking at the program, former minister and Nepali Congress leader Dr. Minendra Rijal highlighted the transformative impact of telecommunication technology in the Nepali society. “The key challenge in the sector is infrastructure development and expansion. I want to ask the NTA, who will undertake the construction of telecommunication infrastructure, and where will the funding come from? Given global investments in this sector, we need a thorough debate and discussion on this matter,” he added.

The second session of the program comprised four panel discussions. In the first panel discussion, titled “Mobile Telecommunication and Licensing Regime in Nepal,” moderated by telecommunication expert Anand Raj Khanal, Netra Subedi, joint secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, said a new telecommunications bill is in the process of being introduced. He expressed confidence that the new bill would address existing challenges within the telecommunications sector. Similarly, Gorkna Prasad Sitaula, a member of the Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA), added that the new bill aims at clarifying the ambiguity surrounding the renewal fees for telecommunications companies.

 According to the Telecommunications Act, 1996, licenses must be renewed every 25 years with a renewal fee of Rs 20bn. This implies that Nepal Telecom and Ncell would need to renew their licenses in 2024/25 and 2028/29, respectively.

Sudhir Parajuli, President of the Internet Service Providers Association of Nepal, underlined the need to create an environment favorable not only for mobile phones but also for internet service providers in the new law. Bishal Upadhyay, head of Law and Regulation at Ncell, said that the Act of 1996 is outdated as technology has progressed from 2G to 5G. He said that service providers were increasing their investment with technological advancements.

The second panel discussion, titled ‘Telecommunication and Digital Nepal Framework’, moderated by information technology expert Manohar Bhattarai, featured discussions on the achievements of the Digital Nepal Framework released in 2019. Anil Dutt, joint secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, said that 90 percent of the specified targets had been achieved. He also mentioned that an amendment to the Nepal Telecommunications Act was in progress. Meen Prasad Aryal, director of NTA, shared that infrastructure expansion in rural areas was being funded by utilizing two percent of the amount collected from service providers. Rajesh Lal Nyachhyon of Ncell called for collaboration between the government and the private sector in the telecommunication sector. Sudeep Acharya, Director-General of DisHome Fiber Net, called for reduction of high taxes imposed for Internet service providers.\

The third panel discussion, titled ‘Consumers, Makers, and Quality of Service’, moderated by journalist Sama Thapa, addressed concerns about service quality. Speaking at the discussion, Arjun Ghimire, a director of NTA, said the regulator has been giving strict instructions to service providers to address service sector complaints. Kamal Lamichhane, manager of Nepal Telecom, acknowledged existing problems but assured that service quality was improving gradually. 

Likewise, Jyoti Dahal, customer service manager of Ncell, noted that services are becoming cheaper with improved quality over time. Consumer activist Madhav Timilsina highlighted that there are more complaints about services than goods, particularly in mobile services, urging stakeholders to uphold consumer rights.

The final panel discussion, ‘Role of Spectrum and Infrastructure in Telecommunication’, was moderated by telecommunication expert Anand Raj Khanal. Speaking at the discussion, Rabindra Jha, a board member of the NTA, said that the government determines mobile frequency allocations, and the NTA implements them accordingly. Lena Keshari Kansakar, CTO of Ncell, underlined the need for a frequency policy based on a thorough market study. She said that frequency limitations have hindered telecom operators from expanding into new areas. C Mani Choulagai, a telecommunications expert, however, said that frequency limitations are not a pressing issue as the demand is primarily for 900 and 1800 MHz bands.

Hamas militants on Saturday released 17 hostages, including 13 Israelis, from captivity in the Gaza Strip, while Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners in the latest stage of a four-day cease-fire, Associated Press reported.

The late-night exchange was held up for several hours after Hamas accused Israel of violating the agreement. The delay underscored the fragility of the cease-fire, which has halted a war that has shocked and shaken Israel, caused widespread destruction across the Gaza Strip, and threatened to unleash wider fighting across the region.

The war erupted on Oct. 7, when Hamas militants in Gaza burst across the border into southern Israel, killing at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting some 240 others, including, women, children and older people. Israel immediately declared war, carrying out weeks of airstrikes and a ground offensive that have left over 13,300 Palestinians dead, according to health authorities in the Hamas-controlled territory. Roughly two-thirds of those killed in Gaza have been women and minors.

The cease-fire, brokered by Qatar and the United States, is the first extended break in fighting since the war began. Overall, Hamas is to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners. All are women and minors.

Israel has said the truce can be extended by an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed, but has vowed to quickly resume its offensive and complete its goals of returning all hostages and destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities.

The plight of the hostages has gripped the Israeli public’s attention. Thousands of people gathered in central Tel Aviv on Saturday in solidarity with the hostages andtheir families. Many accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of not doing enough to bring the hostages home. The releases have triggered mixed emotions: happiness, coupled with angst over the scores of hostages who remain in captivity, according to Associated Press.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced early Sunday that it had received a new list of hostages slated to be released later in the day in the third of four scheduled swaps.

In the West Bank, hundreds of people burst into wild celebrations for a second night as a busload of Palestinian prisoners arrived early Sunday. Teenage boys released in the deal were carried on the shoulders of well-wishers in the main square of the town of Al Bireh. But the mood of celebration was dampened by scenes of destruction and suffering in Gaza.

The start of the pause brought quiet for 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, who are reeling from relentless Israeli bombardment that has killed thousands, driven three-quarters of the population from their homes and leveled residential areas. Rocket fire from Gaza militants into Israel also went silent.

War-weary Palestinians in northern Gaza, where the offensive has been focused, returned to the streets, crunching over rubble between shattered buildings and at times digging through it with bare hands.

Sanjeev Singh Rana, a 39-year-old Nepali pop and contemporary singer completes a decade in the music industry. In all these years, he has always allocated a part of his income to charitable causes. Rana is affiliated with various musical institutions including the National Lok Dohori Association in Tanahu. He is also the joint secretary of the Kathmandu-based National Musician Association. 

 He attributes his passion for music to his mother, who always used to hum songs of renowned Nepali artists like Aruna Lama and Tara Devi. It captivated him and sparked his interest in music. Rana has also always been an ardent admirer of the legendary Narayan Gopal. “I was inspired by him because of which I used to take part in singing competitions during my school days,” he says.  

 After school, he spent seven years training in music. He wanted to hone his skills. And he did. He won the ‘Western Star Singing Competition’ in 2009. Two years later, he launched his first album, ‘Bhavishya’ following which many opportunities started coming his way. Life post the launch was a flurry of concerts and performances at fairs and festivals all over Nepal. He also participated in many international tours.

 Rana is known to have a charismatic presence on stage. The audience is enthralled by the ease with which he performs. Humbly accepting the compliments, he credits Rajesh Pal Rai as his inspiration for interactive stage performances. “I watched Rai perform and saw how engaged the audience was and learned from that,” he says.

 Immersed in musical pursuits, it was only natural that he gradually got more involved in songwriting and music composition. Entering the field independently without any connections, he says, “It was challenging to make a name in the industry but I kept at it and have been able to make a mark.”

 He has achieved a level of recognition and fame but he believes all that can be fleeting if he doesn’t respect his craft. “In an ever-evolving music landscape, staying competitive and remaining at the forefront of the audience’s minds are things you have to work on every single day,” he says.

 Rana reminisces about the days when Caller Ring Back Tone (CRBT) services were quite popular. Over 100,000 people chose to set his songs as their CRBT. It was a huge morale boost, one that gave him the confidence to keep making music despite the challenges. Now, the number of views his songs get on YouTube and other social media is how he judges his popularity. “Audience response is extremely important for me. I will keep making music as long as people appreciate my work,” he says. 

Apart from singing and songwriting, he has also been a part of many music videos. In 2012, ‘Dhan Magey Ta Chaina’ brought him recognition and the desire to explore this facet of music as well. The success was followed by other popular music videos, including ‘Maile Maya Layeko’, ‘Ae Mero Maya Fulbutte Jama’, ‘One Two One Two Ma Pani Janchu’, ‘Timle Jastai Dhatna Janey’, and ‘Timro Profile’ among others. 

 His songs, he confesses, are written specifically for events, concerts, and stage performances. The music has folk elements and delves into the realities of love and romance in Nepali society. When creating music, he is determined to establish a connection between the story and the musical tone. So, he doesn’t include his own stories in his songs. Instead, he carefully observes and gathers elements of romance, love, and relationships to tell relevant stories. He believes it will help his work resonate with the audience. In the pop genre, the focus is on providing entertainment. 

 However, he is open to following new music trends and doesn’t want to confine himself to a particular genre. “The Nepali music industry is currently grappling with increasing levels of explicit content and nudity,” he says, adding he remains committed to his core values of producing songs that are emotionally charged as well as entertaining. 

 Rana isn’t only involved in music but has a philanthropic side to him as well. He believes he must support those in need as much as he can. “I want to and have been contributing a part of my earnings to some important causes,” he says. He has been actively involved in charitable works, assisting disabled students in special schools, elderly individuals in local nursing homes, and other marginalized groups facing various health challenges.

 In recognition of his dedicated contributions to the music industry, he has received several awards, including the Sagarmatha Award, Jaya Prapti Award, Quality Entertainment Award, and Natyaswar Award. In the future, aside from romantic pop songs, he wishes to create patriotic songs with impactful messages. He also wants to sing in other local languages to bring about a sense of connectivity between different communities of Nepal while promoting diversity in the music industry.

 For as long as he can sing and perform, Rana says he is committed to entertaining audiences and is determined to establish a legacy of producing songs free from explicit content. He also hopes that his philanthropic pursuits will serve as a model for other artists, encouraging them to engage in charitable work too.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said that its attention has been drawn towards the hateful remarks made public in various social media platforms after the demonstrations held by Yuwa Sangh, the youth wing of CPN-UML, and businessman Durga Prasain under the “Rastra, Rastriyata, Dharma-Sanskriti and Nagarik Bachau Andalon.”

The commission said that it on Friday monitored Tinkune area, the venue Prasain had announced to stage a demonstration today, and the area of Bhaktapur-based Durga Prasain’s residence.

During the monitoring, the rights watchdog found the security personnel arresting the people gathered at Tinkune for the demonstration.

The Commission urged the security agencies not to use unnecessary force on protesters. 

While addressing the programs on Thursday, both sides made hateful remarks targeting each other against the Constitution, law and human rights, leading to a clash in Balkhu which left some people injured, the Commission said in a statement.

The Commission said that it has found posters and audio-visual materials along with hateful remarks against high-ranking state officials made public in various social media sites.

The constitutional rights watchdog concluded that these kinds of hateful activities are against Nepal's Constitution, national and international laws and against the spirit of human rights.