Regulator Must Be Effective to Resolve Complexities in Telecom Sector: NTA Chairman Ghimire

2nd October 2026, Kathmandu

Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) Chairman Arjun Ghimire has stressed that regulatory bodies must adopt a more aggressive and effective posture to navigate ongoing complexities within the nation’s telecommunications industry.

Addressing a press conference, Ghimire underscored that the authority is publicly disclosing its core operations and service guidelines to hold telecom service providers strictly accountable to the public. He warned that unmanaged or substandard telecom services directly penalize ordinary consumers.

“Telecommunications has now become an essential service. If we fail to manage this essential service properly, the burden falls on us as consumers. From a consumer perspective, we need to take serious steps to organize and regulate services effectively,” Ghimire stated.

Key Industry Challenges Highlighted by NTA

Shrinking Voice Operators vs. Rising ISPs: Ghimire highlighted a major structural shift in the market, noting that Nepal’s voice service operators have dwindled from six to just two, while the number of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) continues to expand.

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Declining Sector Revenues: Overall industry revenues are on a downward path. Although data consumption and related revenues are rising, income from traditional voice services continues to face sharp contractions.

Consumer-First Regulation: Given that telecom services are deeply tied to everyday public utility, NTA is prioritizing transparency and strict regulatory compliance to protect consumer interests.

Strengthening Media Collaboration and Accountability

To foster better governance, Chairman Ghimire announced that the NTA will hold regular monthly briefings to keep media outlets and the general public updated on its regulatory steps and policy enforcement.

Inviting media scrutiny, Ghimire urged journalists to act as a strict “watchdog” over the authority’s activities, ensuring transparency and keeping the regulator accountable against any undue external pressure.

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