The internet across Nepal has been restored to its full capacity after a nationwide shutdown disrupted connectivity on Baisakh 20, 2080 (Thursday, May 02, 2024). This ended a brutal and pitiful internet mishap that lasted over 6 hours which started at around 04:00 PM and subsided at around 10:30 pm. Leading ISPs such as Vianet, WorldLink, Subisu, CG Net, etc. have announced that their internet is back.
Earlier in the day, internet speed tanked as internet service providers (ISPs) failed to pay their dues to Indian upstream providers. The forget event had transpired just a few days after the Internet Service Providers Association of Nepal (ISPAN) issued a warning that an internet shutdown was imminent in Nepal. As Bharti Airtel stopped its bandwidth to Nepali ISPs, most home WiFi users across the country are facing network outages. It was all to blame on the conflict between the government and ISPs which led the former not to recommend foreign currency exchange barring the latter to pay for bandwidth to Indian upstreamers.
On Wednesday, May 01, 2024, Airtel wrote to various Nepali ISPs reminding each that the internet service may be interrupted at any time overdue payment. However, as Nepali ISPs failed to pay the dues, the Indian company disrupted its bandwidth supply in response. And today being a national ICT Day, the internet sunk to its slowest speed and resulted in severe connectivity issues and frustrations for almost every user.
Prominent ISPs confirm nationwide internet issues and their restoration
Leading private ISPs Vianet and WorldLink, as well as others, have written that the service is back on. They had stated that they were in contact with their bandwidth providers to bring back the network live. After over 6 hours, companies have been able to revive their internet fully much to the users’ relief.
If you are skeptical, you can check your internet speed and find out if your broadband is back to its speed. Even during the disruption though, Ntc FTTH fiber, ADSL, Namaste Wifi, and Ntc, Ncell mobile data were performing without issues.
Earlier on Thursday, April 25, ISPAN had raised the possibility of an internet shutdown in Nepal. The body said that the government hasn’t allowed foreign currency recommendations for 1 year and that has barred the ISPs from paying their bandwidth fare to their bandwidth providers. Nepal’s internet service providers have Rs 3 billion to pay their Indian bandwidth providers.
Internet shutdown and restoration: From warning to reality
ISPAN chairman Sudhir Parajuli had earlier stated that the partnership with Indian upstreamers could end in the current status quo. Pinning the blame on the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) for not recommending foreign currency exchange for nine months, he said the situation could lead to an internet outage in the country. “In the absence of no payment, the deal with Indian bandwidth providers will terminate itself,” Parajuli warned.
If you didn’t know, Airtel, an Indian upstream provider for Nepali ISPs accounts for 70% of bandwidth imported into Nepal. Parajuli has recently requested the government to ease forex recommendations to enable ISPs to make payments to their bandwidth providers.
Nepal restored internet after hours of shutdown
The Internet shutdown issue mainly emanated from ISPs and the government over the non-payment of outstanding dues under the Internet service support and maintenance title. ISPs have remained adamant that the support and maintenance fees aren’t subject to taxes for royalty and RTDF. MoCIT, however, is seeking fees under the same. The issue has raged for months but both the ISPs and the government have stood their ground which has escaped a resolution. Today’s large-scale internet issue in Nepal was the culmination of a heavily long conflict between the government and ISPs. It’s only a good relief that the disconnections have now been reverted.
The service providers have remained defiant that they are not subject to tax and fees on non-telecommunication services. Nepali ISPs haven’t paid Indian upstreamers for 9 months. This is not an isolated case either. In May 2022, concerns were raised about possible internet network outages for similar reasons. The Indian bandwidth providers had threatened to stop providing bandwidth to Nepali ISPs over dues payment.
Check out: Best ISP Internet Service Providers in Nepal
Did you know >>> The government of Nepal has put the Internet on the list of essential services and forbids any strikes or protests that disrupt the internet service?
Also read: TERAMOCS Implementation in Nepal: All you need to know
Who is to blame?
The Internet is an inescapable part of everyday life for everyone these days. But it’s disheartening that the connectivity feels the brunt of unclear rules and policies. The latest internet shutdown/restoration saga is a mere extension from the last few years and it won’t subside until and unless stakeholders sit together and determine clear provisions. Besides, although the internet seems back on, it can’t erase the humongous economic downsize and the inconvenience it caused to internet users across the country.
From a customer perspective, the onus is on the government and ISPs to find the resolution once and for all. Because in the end, it’s the regular paying users and businesses who will have to suffer. How is your internet now as ISPs claim that they are fully back on? Don’t forget to share with us in the comments below and in our social media posts.
