Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has completed the “Mid-Hill Telecommunication Optical Fiber Project” in Koshi Province. Recently, NTA and Nepal Telecom (NTC) signed an agreement to utilize this project for communication services in the Eastern region. Nepal Telecom implemented the project using the rural telecommunication development funds (RTDF) from NTA and is now ready for sharing with other service providers.
Communication Minister Rekha Sharma inaugurated the optical fiber broadband network at an event in Dhankuta Municipality which kickstarted this major ambitious project of the government. The infrastructure is also up for cooperation with other service providers, that too managed by Nepal Telecom. Recently, Nepal Telecom also called for applications from willing companies for infrastructure sharing of fiber in Koshi Province.
The Mid-hill highway optical fiber project in Koshi Province will help connect high-speed FTTH fiber internet and 4G/5G broadband to 50 lakh customers.
At the inauguration ceremony, Minister Sharma said that the government has prioritized the development of the information and technology sector. She said, “The government has given priority to the development and use of information technology. And, also has kept such topics in its policies and programs.”
Other Officials like MoCIT secretary Krishna Bahadur Raut, NTA Chairman Purushottam Khanal, Acting MD of Ntc Sangita Pahadi put their remarks in the event.
Telecommunication Infrastructure Optical Fiber Project in Midhill highway is a joint collaboration between NTA and Nepal Telecom. NTA provided the fund to Nepal Telecom to implement and manage the project.
Also read: Ntc Fiber Internet Speed, Packages, & Price
Fiber optical project in Mid-Hill completes
Also called the national backbone network, this mid-hill optical fiber network project will be up for use by willing service providers. Companies who wish to use fiber cable to provide services can lease it. This project, a part of the information highway, is also called a backbone network. For the drive to the Digital Nepal goals, this project will serve greatly for the digital transformation and the expansion of connectivity.
A high-quality broadband network is one of the priorities for the government and the Mid-Hill Optical fiber project is one of the keys to it. Importantly, this project can come into use for other companies to provide services. Back in 2016, NTA and NTC had agreed to cooperate on building the information highway across Koshi, Madhesh and Bagmati Provinces. Out of the many projects, Nepal Telecom started the design, plan and now already implemented the Koshi’s Midhill fiber project. For the implementation, the company used contracts for laying the optical fiber and also bought the required end equipment.
The fiber optical network is part of the government’s Mid-Hill Highway Optical Fiber Network project. Sharma continued that the infrastructure will help connect the people in Koshi Province with the mainstream communication network.
RTDF helped fund this project
This project has utilized the rural telecommunication development funds (RTDF). It’s a small sum of the amount telecom service providers submit to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) annually. The authority uses it to expand and maintain connectivity (both fiber lines and 4G) in rural and remote regions in Nepal. Read next: Nepal Telecom FTTH service reaches 74 Districts, learn about availability
Currently, the government has sanctioned Rs 4.87 billion to invest in optical fiber networks in Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces. Among all, the Koshi project has come into operation first. As per a project official, Koshi Province has 683 kilometer-running fiber cables of the total 1,225 km fiber cable line shared with Madhesh and Bagmati Provinces.
The optical fiber cable is also available for sharing with willing service providers. ISPs and telcos can use this backbone network in Koshi province’s Midhill highway to extend high-quality internet and 4G connectivity to more areas. This can also improve the quality of existing services there, which suffered due to capacity crunch. NTA had already brought a bylaw regarding infrastructure sharing and pricing, which shall be the guideline for such sharing. Being a major project, the Midhill optical fiber network in Koshi will play a vital role in enriching connectivity and bridging the digital divide in Nepal by expanding connectivity across the districts in the Koshi Province.
