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Started 5 days ago · Updated 5 days ago

Nepal's Minister Timilsina Pledges to Reduce Digital Divide with 4G Expansion

Photo · english.nepalnews.com

Minister for Information and Communications, Dr. Bikram Timilsina, stated the government's commitment to reducing the digital divide by expanding telecommunication facilities, including 4G services, to remote areas. He announced plans to utilize Rs 16.78 billion from the Rural Telecommunications Fund for this initiative and highlighted the government's focus on making Nepal a 'tech hub' by promoting IT exports and developing digital infrastructure.

• An action plan is in place to provide modern communication services in remote settlements within a year through 4G expansion, new site installations, and infrastructure development.
• The Ministry is working on a plan to expand 4G services using 900 MHz frequency, which is expected to cover larger geographical areas with less infrastructure and will be gradually upgraded to 5G.
• Currently, 4G LTE is available in 750 local governments, while 2G service is accessible in all 753 local governments.
• IT has been designated as a national strategic industry in policy and programs for the upcoming fiscal year, with a vision to make Nepal a 'tech hub'.
• The government is also prioritizing the development of digital parks, high-capacity data centers, and digital public infrastructure, alongside providing financial incentives for the IT export industry.