Kathmandu (RSS): Under the project launched by the Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) with the aim of providing high speed broadband internet across the country, 69 percent connection has been completed by mid-November.
According to NTA, 69 percent connection has been completed so far as the authority has implemented the project of providing broadband internet service in 18 packages using the funds of the Rural Telecommunication Development Fund.
NTA spokesperson Min Prasad Aryal informed that the connection has been completed in 46 districts under 12 packages. According to him, out of 18 packages, internet connection has been completed in 11,086 places so far, including 506 local level, 4,165 ward offices, 3,472 secondary schools and 2,943 health institutions.
According to NTA, more than 50 percent of the services are being selected in nine districts under two packages and 19 districts under four packages have been selected.
Similarly, 4,896 internet connections are still pending. By mid-November, 100 percent of the work has been completed in 46 districts and 50 percent in the remaining nine districts. Similarly, NTA has stated that an agreement has been reached for network and connectivity connection in 19 districts under four packages.
Out of the total amount of Rs 5.26 billion, Rs 2.71 billion has been paid to the service providers for the broadband project so far, said spokesperson Aryal. According to him, the project aims to provide free broadband internet service to municipalities, villages, ward offices, educational institutions and health institutions across the country.
NTA has not covered the three districts of Kathmandu Valley — Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur in the broadband internet expansion under the Rural Telecommunication Development Fund. In 74 districts, 702 local level, 5,933 ward offices, 5,225 secondary schools, and 4,122 health institutions have been expanded to 15,982 places through 18 packages.