Integrated telecom policy draft unveiled with target to reach high-speed broadband to 80 percent population in five years
Summary
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority has unveiled a draft integrated telecommunications policy that aims to expand high-speed broadband access to 80 percent of the population within five years. The policy also targets lower broadband costs, higher digital literacy, and a bigger ICT contribution to GDP.
Key Points
- The Nepal Telecommunications Authority has released a draft integrated telecommunications policy to update and consolidate several existing telecom and ICT policies.
- The draft targets high-speed broadband access for 80 percent of the population in five years, along with lower service costs and wider digital inclusion.
- It proposes raising digital literacy to 60 percent in five years and increasing the ICT sector’s contribution to GDP to 4 percent in five years and 7 percent in 10 years.
- The policy also emphasizes rural telecom expansion, cybersecurity, innovation, private-sector participation, and stronger institutional capacity.
