By Ranjan Hari Koirala | Kathmandu
As part of its plan to expand broadband networks across the country, Nepal Telecom has called applications for building such networks and providing internet services in 14 additional districts. With this, Nepal Telecom expects all rural municipalities of Nepal to have broadband internet access within a year.Nepal Telecom plans to make use of the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund (RTDF) to expand broadband connection to the 14 districts via optical networks. Under the plan, broadband hybrid networks will be built and internet/data access connectivity provided in all municipalities, rural municipalities, ward offices, health centers, health posts and public educational institutions (secondary and higher secondary schools). The call for application states that companies interested in applying should have contributed a minimum of Rs 1 million to the RTDF in the past three years. They should also have a minimum of 1,000 km transmission networks in operation and 25,000 (fixed) internet or data subscribers.
The project is expected to cost Rs 2.8 billion for the four districts in Province 1 (Ilam, Jhapa, Morang and Udayapur), Rs 600 million for the four districts in Province 5 (Gulmi, Palpa, Argakhachi, Pyuthan) and Rs 1.2 billion for the six other districts. Two years ago, NT had signed contracts with various companies for similar work in 60 districts. Purushottam Khanal, chairman of Nepal Telecom, claims 60 percent of the work has been completed.
Internet connection is now available in 15 earthquake-afflicted districts under Broadband Access Network, according to NT data. But there have been complaints that some of these districts remain unconnected.
Under the project, the first contract was with Worldlink Communications Pvt Ltd. Among the projects that Worldlink bagged, one is complete. NT informs more than 85 percent of the work has been completed in the north-eastern districts of Dolpa, Mugu, Jumla and Humla.
Subisu Cablenet Pvt Ltd is supposed to start providing internet services in 1,205 locations in 8 Tarai districts (Dhanusha, Siraha, Saptari, Mahottari, Bara, Parsa, Rautahat and Sarlahi) from July 16. As only 55 percent work is complete, the company has extended its deadline by 6 months.
Vianet Communications Pvt Ltd also has been unable to finish work on time. By the deadline day last December, only 50 percent work had been completed.
Mercantile Communications Pvt Ltd had bagged two projects, under which it would make internet access available in 1,183 locations in six districts (Achham, Bajhang and Bajura in the west and Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha and Solukhumbu in the east). While one project has been completed, work on the second one is still ongoing.
Similarly, Techminds Network Pvt Ltd had bagged the contract to provide broadband services in three mid-western districts (Surkhet, Dailekh and Salyan). Work was stalled in the initial phase due to a court case. Although the case has been settled for a while now, Nepal Telecom informs that the company has only recently submitted ‘Network Diagrams’ for approval.
