Internet service providers have decided to increase the price of internet service.
The meeting of the Internet Service Providers Association of Nepal (ISPAN) has decided to increase the price of the internet at the rate of Rs 300 per subscriber in rural areas and Rs 150 per subscriber in urban areas. ISPAN took the decision after a dispute erupted between the internet service provider and the Nepal Electricity Authority after the electricity authority increased the rent of the pole.
Earlier, the service providers had been putting pressure at various levels to reduce the rent of electricity poles. The Nepal Electricity Authority has been removing and confiscating the equipment of the internet service providers who are not paying the increased pole fare.
Meanwhile, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) had announced to remove the equipment if the internet service providers do not pay the rent. In response, ISPAN had issued a statement saying that the Nepal Electricity Authority would be held accountable if the internet service will be halted.
Given the scenario, the Telecommunication Authority of Nepal, the regulator of the telecommunications sector, had called both parties for a discussion. Stating that telecommunication service is a much-needed service and currently education, health, business, and other services are being operated through the internet due to COVID-19, the NTA had taken initiative to create an environment where service would not be disrupted.
According to Article 16 of the Telecommunications Act 2053, the NTA is also responsible for resolving disputes between service providers and other parties. Therefore, NTA had written to Nepal Electricity Authority and ISPAN for the budget on September 13 to resolve the dispute.
