Kathmandu, May 19

Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) — the telecommunication regulatory body — is preparing to mobilise the Rural Telecommunication Development Fund (RTDF) to expand broadband internet service to the severely quake-affected districts, excluding the Kathmandu Valley.

NTA has sought expression of interest (EoI) from internet service providers to expand broadband internet service in the government offices, particularly village development committees, schools and hospitals in 11 quake-affected districts.

The telecom regulator has been planning to expand broadband internet service in all districts (deprived of internet service) by utilising the RTDF, which is worth Rs 12.50 billion till date. To expand the internet service, NTA will partner with district development committees.

Talking to The Himalayan Times, NTA Spokesperson Ashokanand Mishra said that the initiative to expand broadband

internet services to the quake-hit districts will be conducted in the first phase, which will be supportive in coordinating reconstruction works in those districts.

After evaluation of EoIs submitted by the internet service providers, NTA will ask for request for proposal (RfP) from the short-listed parties and the work will start from the beginning of next fiscal, as per Mishra.