Kathmandu, October 28

The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has shortlisted 17 firms to provide consultancy service to NTA to monitor, evaluate and certify the progress of those projects funded through the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund (RTDF).

Of shortlisted firms, NTA will hire one firm to cater the aforementioned service to the telecommunication regulator.

The shortlisted firms are Civil Informatics and Solution; Smart Management and Research; Total Management Service; Enter Information and Communication Technology Nepal; Tangent Consultant Group; MaxTech Study and Services; Tarapunj Engineering and Research; Mahakali Mechi Technology and Suppliers; Shyam International Engineering Consultancy; Avant Grade Solution; NS Network Store; Geocom International; Jade Consultant; Dream Geolab; Maharudra Group; Microtek Engineering; and Teleglobe Solution.

Citing the lack of enough manpower and expertise to monitor and evaluate project progress, NTA had invited

expression of interest (EoI) from interested firms in January to monitor, evaluate and certify the progress of RTDF-funded projects.

The hired consultant will primarily render professional services for evaluation, monitoring and certification of RTDF-funded broadband projects initiated by NTA.

NTA has been developing 18 broadband internet projects under RTDF in rural parts of country. It has been funding these projects through RTDF and various internet service providers and telecom firms have been undertaking the projects which primarily intend to increase people’s access to internet.

As per NTA, more than Rs 16 billion has been collected in RTDF so far. NTA collects two per cent of income from

telecom service providers for RTDF.

The hired consultant will have to establish a method to monitor and evaluate implementation of broadband

internet network and submit progress report of different projects to NTA in different phases, as per NTA.