Telecom quality: Communications minister seeks report from authority, which cites frequency shortage

Minister for Information and Communications Dr. Bikram Timilsina has sought a report on telecom service quality from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority.

Minister Timilsina held discussions on Thursday with Authority Chairman Arjun Ghimire, Communications Secretary Rajendra Kumar Paudel and other officials, after consumer complaints about poor phone and internet service failed to subside.

The discussion covered the state of services, quality testing, regulation and service expansion.

Minister Timilsina said it was a serious matter that services remained weak even within the Kathmandu Valley.

He said both the regulator and service providers must be held responsible for delivering reliable service.

He directed officials to submit regular quality-monitoring reports to the ministry and to take strict legal action against service providers that fail to meet standards.

After the minister raised the issue, the Authority said it did not have adequate frequency.

Chairman Ghimire held a press conference the same day, saying that since telecommunications had become an essential service, regulation would be made stricter and more systematic.

According to him, the number of operators providing voice service has fallen from six to two, while the number of internet service providers has increased.

Total revenue in the telecom sector is declining, though revenue from data services has increased.

Chairman Ghimire also announced that the Authority would make its activities public every month.