Nepal Telecom & NTA Directed to Upgrade 4G, Fiber Infrastructure, and RTDF Spending

15th August 2026, Kathmandu

Nepal’s Communications Ministry directs NTC and NTA to upgrade 4G networks, mobilize RTDF funds effectively, and deliver results in the telecom transformation year

NTA Directed to Upgrade 4G

Minister for Information and Communications Dr. Bikram Timilsina has instructed state regulatory bodies and service providers to prioritize expanding telecommunications coverage across Nepal while taking concrete steps to resolve longstanding service quality issues.

Speaking during a joint meeting with leadership from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) and Nepal Telecom (NTC) at the Ministry of Communications, Minister Timilsina addressed rising public dissatisfaction regarding poor telephone connectivity and sluggish internet speeds. He called on both the regulator and the state operator to deliver tangible, result-oriented solutions rather than bureaucratic delays.

Year of Transformation

Minister Timilsina highlighted that the government has designated the current fiscal year as the “Year of Transformation” for the domestic telecommunications sector.

“Citizens across remote regions—and even several urban pockets—continue to suffer from substandard telephone and internet access. Meanwhile, funds collected under the Rural Telecommunication Development Fund (RTDF) remain underutilized,” Minister Timilsina stated. “RTDF money belongs to the public, and it must directly benefit them. The regulator needs to strictly monitor its implementation, and the service providers must deliver quality execution.”

He emphasized that while private service providers invest heavily in high-yield urban markets, the state bears an essential responsibility to connect low-income and remote communities.

Directives for Nepal Telecom and Project Management

To break the stalemate on stalled infrastructure projects, the Minister issued a series of binding directives:

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Action Plan for “Sick” Projects: NTC was instructed to formulate a clear, commercial strategy to fast-track delayed tower installations and optical fiber projects. A comprehensive action plan must be finalized within one week to resolve long-overdue contracts.

Inter-Agency Coordination: Minister Timilsina urged seamless operational alignment between NTC, the Department of Roads, and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to prevent bureaucratic delays during underground fiber laying and tower construction.

Urban Cable Management: The meeting resolved to coordinate multi-agency efforts to clear, organize, or underground the dangerous clutter of overhead telecommunication cables trailing urban streets.

Industry Leaders Outline Challenges and Targets

Responding to the Minister’s directives, key telecom officials detailed the financial and operational bottlenecks facing infrastructure expansion:

Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA)

NTA Chairman Arjun Ghimire admitted that while the authority possesses adequate financial reserves, technology, and manpower, public expectations have not been fully satisfied. He noted that RTDF-funded optical fiber expansion projects across Koshi, Bagmati, and Madhesh provinces have repeatedly missed completion deadlines, creating a backlog in project disbursements.

Nepal Telecom (NTC)

Nepal Telecom Managing Director Sangeeta Pahadi emphasized the financial strain of operating in geographic terrains with low revenue yields.

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