Under the Rural Telecommunication Development Fund (RTDF), Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has completed installation of free internet service in 31 districts so far. Internet has been installed at around 1,000 public places.
Issuing a notice, the authority has published the work progress so far.
According to the authority, Vianet Communication and WorldLink have installed broadband network in 15 districts.
The 15 districts are Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Achham, Bajhang, Bajura, Baitadi, Dadheldhura, Darchula, Doti, Jajarkot, Kalikot, and Rolpa, including Eastern Rukum and Western Rukum.
Similarly, WorldLink and TechMinds Network have installed broadband in Dolpa, Jumla, Humla, Mugu, Dailekh, Surkhet, Salyan, Manang, Mustang, Baglung, Myagdi, Panchthar, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Tehrathum and Khotang.
Under this facility, municipalities, rural municipalities, ward offices, community schools and community health institutions of the select districts will receive free internet services for next two years.
Thereafter, the service-seekers will have to pay certain amount set by the NTA.
NTA's RTDF has been funding the internet expansion project in all rural areas of the country. The project is being implemented in 18 packages.
NTA has also requested to be informed within 15 days if any municipality, village municipality, ward office, community secondary school and community health institution/centre/hospital in the above districts have been exempted from internet connection.
"The service recipients whose two-year period is about to expire are requested to contact concerned service provider and continue the service at the rate approved by this authority," reads the notice.
Aiming at supporting the government's Digital Nepal campaign, NTA started this project in 2019 in association with the internet service providers.