Nepal Telecom (Ntc) has successfully connected 4 more districts with fiber in Karnali province as expansion works continue to gather pace in remote areas. The company employs a technology called Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) that delivers reliable and high-speed internet, voice, and TV services through a single fiber cable. It is rolled out as Triple Play service by the state-backed telco.
The operator has expanded its fiber service to Surkhet, Dailekh, Jajarkot, and Salyan in Karnali.
Most areas inside the districts have no landline services yet FTTH is the popular choice for customers because internet and TV services are available. The idea of getting a voice, broadband internet, and IPTV is becoming very popular among customers these days.
Milan Shrestha, Head of Telecom Provincial Office, shared that the expansion of FTTH service has accelerated in the other remaining 6 districts of the province to meet the increasing demand of the consumers.
Also read: Nepal Telecom to expand fiber internet in all areas of Kathmandu in FY 079/80
Work in progress in other districts too
He said that the expansion of ‘The FTTH service’ in Rukum West, Kalikot, and Jumla has reached the final stage and the telco expects the service to come into operation within the current fiscal year 2079/80. Likewise, the survey for Nepal Telecom FTTH service in Dolpa is complete and the service expansion work will soon begin.
“Humla and Mugu districts have telephone service. After road and electricity reaches, FTTH service will also go live,” Shrestha added.
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Ntc FTTH fiber expansion in Karnali
Rajan Sharma, Deputy Manager (Technical Head) of Nepal Telecom Regional Office of Karnali, said that there are currently 241 BTS towers in Karnali Province. The telco plans to add 91 new towers in FY 2079/80 and increase 4G penetration in all the wards of the province.
But there are challenges. He said that there are problems due to the delay in coordination with agencies such as the Electricity and Road Offices. Additionally, natural causes have also been detrimental to telecom service expansion in remote areas.
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He also said that 10 cell towers have been electrified and work is in progress for the same in the other 10 towers. He said that the company managed to improve 50% of BTS towers in Karnali so far. But the progress is bleak in remote districts due to the lack of power, and human resources.
The government has emphasized rural telecom service expansion with a Digital Nepal vision. Extending services in remote areas will help bridge the digital divide and promote digital inclusion and ICT growth across the country.
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