26th May 2021, Kathmandu
Internet is a wide area network that connects computer systems across the world. It has not only connected the computer system, but it is connecting the people too. The Internet allows people to improve the quality of their life. It has been emerging as one of the most important tools of communication.
Considering the importance of the Internet, the government of Nepal has started the work of expanding high-speed internet service with the understanding of the local level.
Minister for Communications and Information Technology Parbat Gurung informed that the work started in eight earthquake-hit districts in the first phase of the campaign to provide high-speed internet service across the country.
“The cabinet meeting has decided to provide the service free of cost for two years in Kavrepalanchok, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchowk, Dolakha, Sindhuli, Okhaldhunga and Ramechhap in the first phase.”
Speaking in a virtual meeting with the heads of the villages and municipalities of those districts on Tuesday, Minister Gurung said, “The program that is being agreed with the local level will be completed within three months.
“Minister Gurung said that the government has decided to provide the service free of cost for two years to fulfill the national resolve to make the country prosperous through information and technology. He also clarified that the government has a plan to extend the service across the country.
As per the agreement, free high-speed internet service will be provided to local-level health posts, ward offices, and community schools for two years. Minister Gurung said that it had been decided to move ahead with the program at the local level to make the internet service reliable and quality.
According to the Telecommunication Authority of Nepal (TAN), the work has been taken forward with priority on the initiative of Minister Gurung to facilitate online reading due to the problems seen in internet service in urban and rural areas of Nepal and especially Covid. The government has also taken forward constructing an information highway under the ‘Digital Nepal Framework’ program.
The ‘Smart Nepal‘ campaign has been launched with speed.
Speaking on occasion, Secretary at the Ministry Hari Prasad Basyal clarified that the ministry had launched the program to make smart Nepal.
Meanwhile, President of the Association of Nepal Municipalities Ashok Kumar Banju, President of the National Federation of Villages Hom Narayan Shrestha, expressed their gratitude to Minister Gurung for initiating the program at the local level.
