Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has asked Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Cable TV, and telephone service providers to renew and pay their rental dues for using its infrastructures.
NEA’s distribution and customer service directorate at Durbarmarg called on service providers that use rented fiber optics and other infrastructures to clear their remaining bills by Poush 7. The authority also warns that the firms not complying will face action.
The notice read, “Service providers that operate a telephone, internet, and TV services using infrastructures of Nepal Electricity Authority and use its optical fiber are requested to renew the contract according to the rules.” It asks the companies to contact the provincial office of NEA in the concerned area before Poush 7, 2079 to pay the rent amount due now.
Likewise, the directorate warned that companies that fail to adhere to will face action as per the prevailing rules. NEA has given ISPs and other service providers a 30-day deadline to clear their remaining dues.
Also read: ISPs demand access to underground cable duct laid by NEA
ISPs and NEA have conflicted for months
NEA has been at loggerheads with ISPs for months. The authority is miffed by ISPs’ use of its poles and their reluctance to pay for “expensive” pole rental charges. After months of standoff, ISPs have recently begun removing the cables as a sign of the cooling tension between the two.
Prior to that, NEA had issued an ultimatum to NEA of 45 days to remove the cables or face liability. ISPs complied and began their cable management work from Singhadurbar, Kathmandu. In the recent past, their conflict saw cable cutting by the authority leading to network outages and escalation. But ISPAN and ISPs have started conforming to the latest ruling.
The poles’ rental payment has been a highly controversial issue for months. Let’s hope the conflict now won’t surface and they settle any skirmishes amicably to the benefit of end customers.
Have you seen any cable management work by your ISP recently or that is not necessary? Do share the situation in the comments below.
