The NEA and ISPs have been at loggerheads after the former increased rental charges for utility poles used by ISPs. The NEA has blamed that ISPs have yet to clear longstanding arrears for using utility poles.
It through a notice has asked ISPs time and again to clear the arrears. It had been warning to remove internet cables from utility poles if ISPs continued to ignore their calls and failed to clear the arrears until October 1, said the NEA.
The Federation of Computer Association Nepal (CAN Federation) has protested NEA’s move to remove internet cables. Internet service has been affected in areas including Kathmandu, Bharatpur, Butwal, Biratnagar, Dhankuta, Dharan, Taplejung, Khadichaur and Dhangadhi after NEA removed internet cables, according to a statement issued today by the CAN Federation.
The CAN Federation has been demanding with the Nepal Telecommunications Authority to increase internet prices by Rs 150 to Rs 300 per subscriber. “But our demand has been ignored so far,” according to the statement issued by CAN Federation General Secretary Narayan Thapa. NTA calls for making arrangements for unobstructed use of internet
Moreover, Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has urged all stakeholders for making arrangements for the unhindered use of the internet service.
Stating that the internet service has become disrupted at many places of the country due to the haphazard cut off of the optical fibre at various places, the NTA urged for making arrangements for the unhindered use of the internet service.
In a press release today, NTA urged the bodies concerned not to cut off the optical fibre at a time when efforts are being made to resolve the dispute over the rate of pole rent between the Internet Service Providers Association of Nepal (ISPAN) and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) by holding discussions among the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, the NTA, NEA and ISPAN.
"A highly essential service of the State has been disrupted with the cutoff of the optical fibre. There is provision in the Telecommunications Act, 2053 BS that says it would be punishable offence if anyone disrupts this essential service. The Authority expresses its regrets over the act of disruption of telecommunication service like this," NTA stated.
NTA has called on all the bodies concerned to take legal action against anyone causing obstruction to the State's very essential service and to safeguard such infrastructures, laying emphasis on seeking solution through talks.
"All sides should sit together and sort out the problems through mutual discussions, and we heartily request all sides concerned including NEA and the IPAN to make arrangements for the unobstructed use of the internet service, as only talks are the solution to every problem," reads the press release.
