KATHMANDU: Minister for Information and Communications Dr. Bikram Timilsina has sought a detailed report from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority regarding the quality of telecommunication services.
During a meeting held at the ministry, Minister Timilsina expressed concern over persistent consumer complaints regarding poor telephone and internet connectivity, noting that weak services even within the Kathmandu Valley are a serious issue.
He emphasized that both the regulatory body and service providers must be held accountable for providing reliable and quality services to the public. ‘The complaints regarding the reach and quality of telecommunication services have not been addressed yet. We must improve this at any cost,’ the minister said. He directed the authority to take strict legal action against service providers who fail to meet established standards. Furthermore, he urged the authority to develop a clear action plan for the expansion of 4G services and the implementation of 5G technology.
During the meeting, officials from the authority explained that they face challenges in conducting quality tests due to a shortage of vehicles and necessary drive-test equipment. Authority Chairman Arjun Ghimire stated that while they have been cautioning service providers, they are now prepared to initiate strict legal actions and fines as per the law. The authority noted that issues persist because service providers have not invested sufficiently in infrastructure and network capacity. Minister Timilsina pledged ministry support to enhance the regulatory capacity of the authority and mandated the submission of regular monitoring reports.
