Kathmandu, August 25

The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has received applications from four domestic internet service providers (ISPs) to build a broadband optical network and provide internet access and connectivity services in Province 2.

As per NTA officials, Subisu, WorldLink, Vianet Communications and Techminds Network have submitted their proposals to expand broadband optical networks and internet in eight districts of Province 2 — Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusa, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara and Parsa.

NTA had sought applications from ISPs for this project on July 9.

“We are in the process of analysing the proposals submitted by the ISPs. Among the four proposals, Subisu has presented the lowest bid,” said Min Prasad Aryal, spokesperson for NTA, adding that NTA will analyse both technical and financial aspects of the proposal before awarding the project to a particular ISP.

As per the Request for Proposal (RfP) issued by NTA, the winning ISP will be awarded the project on ‘low cost subsidy’ basis and will also be funded by NTA.

NTA has split the Province 2 project into two packages — Package A covering Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusa and Mahottari and Package B covering Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara and Parsa. NTA will provide financing of up to Rs 850 million for the award winning ISP for Package A and up to Rs 820 million for Package B in Province 2.

The award winning ISP will be assigned the responsibility to expand broadband internet connection in every district headquarters, municipality, rural municipality, educational institution, health institution and public area, among others of the respective districts of Province 2, according to Aryal.

NTA is also gearing up to call applications from interested ISPs to build broadband optical network and provide internet access to different far-western and eastern districts of the country.

In a bid to develop a backbone for internet across the country, NTA has already awarded the project to lay optical fibre along the Mid-Hill Highway to several service providers.

While Smart Telecom has been awarded the project to lay optical fibre along the Mid-Hill Highway in Provinces 6 and 7, United Telecom Ltd is laying the optical fibre in Provinces 4 and 5. Similarly, the telecommunication sector regulator had awarded Nepal Telecom the contract to lay optical fibre along Mid-Hill Highway in Provinces 1, 2 and 3 last year.