Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, May 17:

Ministry of information and communication (MoIC) and Nepal Telecom Authority (NTA) organised a talk programme on ‘creating an equitable information society’ to mark the 140th world telecommunication day in the capital today.

Speaking at the programme, Tanka Dhakal, minister for information and communication urged concentrated effort from the government and the private sector for the development of telecommunication in Nepal.

“The concept of a global village is being developed around the world. Telecommunication facilities in urban sector have grown exponentially but rural parts in the country is still waiting for the simplest form of telecommunication service. There lies the challenges to bridge this digital divide,” he said.

The development of information and communication sector in Nepal began in eighties when neighbouring countries of Nepal had already taken a lead, said Dr Suresh Raj Sharma, vice-chancellor of Kathmandu University.

Sharma was presenting the key note speech at the programme.

“Lack of IT infrastructure, manpower and users were constraints for the development of ICT in Nepal. The progress made by the sector from early nineties to the millennium is praiseworthy. Though Nepal started late in the sector, recent developments in the sector shows a ray of hope for stakeholders involved in the sector,” said Sharma.

The private sector has reinforced the government for the development of ICT in Nepal, he added.

Nepal today produces very good manpower in ICT, but unfortunately lacks work opportunities, compelling people to go abroad. Nepal needs to work extensively in the sector so that IT could buttress the economy of the country, Sharma added.

Suresh Kumar Pudasaini, chairman at NTA, said that policy makers, governing body and service providers should all work together to provide quality service at an affordable price. Despite the amendment of Telecom Policy a year ago, few sections have not been executed effectively yet, said Pudasaini.

Syambhu Man Amatya, secretary at environment, science and technology stressed on a timebound action plan for sustainable development of the telecommunication sector.

Officials of NTA , United Telecom Ltd, Kathmandu University and Computer Association of Nepal presented various working papers on the development and challenges of telecommunication in Nepal at the programme.