21st May 2024, Kathmandu
Co-policy is ready to reduce the cost of telecommunication infrastructure: Minister Sharma
Communication and Information Technology Minister Rekha Sharma has stated that the government is preparing to implement a sharing program to lower the cost of telecommunications infrastructure. On the occasion of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, Minister Sharma, while inaugurating the telecommunication conference hosted by the Nepal Telecommunication Authority, stated that the cooperation policy started with the law’s amendment.
Minister Sharma Cost-Reducing Co-Policy
The initiative of updating the Telecoms Act focuses on infrastructure development while ensuring excellent governance in the telecoms sector. It has been prepared to end the scenario of double or triple investment in telecommunications infrastructure and move on with the infrastructure-sharing policy. Minister Sharma stated, ‘We believe that this will cut the cost of telecommunication infrastructure, improve service efficiency, and lower consumer rates. She also asserted that an equal treatment policy will be implemented by collecting an annual charge depending on the service provider’s gross income as well.
The National Cyber Security Policy, 2080 has been released to secure and manage cyberspace, and the National Cyber Security Center has been established. A bill on information technology and cyber security is now being prepared.”Radio frequency policy of telecommunication services has been implemented to encourage the latest technology and innovation including 5G in the telecommunication sector” – Minister Sharma stated. “Frequency Policy 2080 has been amended and issued to discourage the practice of holding frequency licenses while not paying state taxes or working. The technological neutrality policy will be adopted on July 1, 2081. This adjustment will result in a large boost in revenue.
She also stated that by revising the property management regulations of telecommunications service providers who do not have licenses in the previous year, unused radio frequencies will be automatically returned, and policy arrangements have been made to prevent the misuse of radio frequencies, a valuable state asset that is a limited natural resource. Minister Sharma stated that by making bandwidth purchases more competitive, Nepal Telecom alone will save an average of one and a half billion dollars per year, and that as service provider costs fall, consumer bills can be decreased.
Minister Sharma stated that the government has clarified priorities and commitment through the recently announced policies and programs of the Government of Nepal. She also declared the next ten years as the information technology decade through policies and programs, with the belief that prosperity can only be achieved through digitization in all sectors. She also highlighted the desire to establish Nepal as a worldwide information technology hub by promoting the development of the information technology industry as a key source of employment and service exports.
Minister Sharma stated that the government’s attitude in favor of good governance and policy reforms has resulted in a rise in revenue. “In the last fiscal year, a total of 7.9 billion revenue was collected, and 7.42 billion revenue has been collected during the ten months of the current fiscal year,” she said. She stated clearly that the government is committed to creating an investor-friendly regulatory environment so that the telecommunications sector feels more secure, and that the long-term development of the telecommunications sector can be achieved through the development of timely policies, laws, and structures, as well as their effective implementation. Minister Sharma stated, “This requires support from all sectors.” The government is devoted to policies, legislation, and requirements. The government is ready to move forward with cooperation and coordination with all stakeholders, especially service providers.
The conference was chaired by Bhupendra Bhandari, Chairman of Nepal Telecommunication Authority, and the representatives of the World Telecommunication Union, along with experts and stakeholders.
For more details: Minister Sharma Cost-Reducing Co-Policy