Internet Speed War Unauthorized? NTA Releases a Notice

It seems like the enthralling internet speed war in Nepal was unauthorized from the beginning. Nepal Telecom Authority (NTA) has released an important notice today (Dec. 17) urging ISPs to first obtain approval from NTA for the service charge, to implement their next-gen bandwidth speed offering.

In its notice, NTA calls on the ISPs to stay consistent with The Telecommunications Act 054, Article 42 that requires the service providers to receive service charge permission before rolling out their internet packages.

Apparently, the ISPs in Nepal lost their regulatory proceedings while investing too much in the number game. But it has not gotten unnoticed by the telecom authority. NTA has expressed its displeasure at the ISPs promoting their offers via online sites, social media, and print media. The regulatory body says that the ISPs in concern have not received approval on service charges for their new internet packages.

The notice states that the ISPs must first receive NTA’s approval on service charges as per The Telecommunications Act 054, Article 42. Only after that, the ISPs can roll out their upgraded speed packages.

Since CG Net’s groundbreaking 120 Mbps package, respective ISPs have been launching their own 3 digit speed packages. Subisu (150 Mbps), WorldLink (600 Mbps), Vianet (175 Mbps), Dish Home (100 Mbps) all have 3 digit speed packages in place.

But the #internetspeedwar took a surreal turn on Wednesday (Dec. 15) when Classic Tech announced their plan for a 1 Gbps broadband package. But NTA has revealed the ISPs have not yet received service charges permission on their new fiber broadband packages.

Regarding The Telecommunications Act’s Article 42?

The Act holds that any internet service provider must obtain permission from NTA on its service charge. Then they must publish the notice containing the date of approval by NTA. Only after this, an ISP can fix the price and roll out its service to its customers.

NTA has also requested internet consumers to pay for their internet-only after confirming that their ISP has obtained service charge permission from the telecom authority.

Check out: Price and Details of CG NET Fiber

How do you see the spiraling internet speed war in Nepal and ISPs’ obsession with the number game? Are you one of those skeptics who want the service provider to rather focus on quality services than upgrade their bandwidth speed? Do share your opinion in the comments below.