Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), the regulator for the telecom industry in Nepal has set a budget of Rs 11 arab (billion) for the improvement and expansion of telecom service. The authority has proposed the budget for the Fiscal Year FY 2080/81.
The proposed plan is to spend Rs 11 arab, 53 crores, and 67 lakhs in FY 2080/81 in telecommunication services. The authority has been involved in various infrastructure and communication expansion projects. One of its ambitious projects is free broadband for community schools, colleges, health centers, wards, etc. The project utilizes rural telecommunication development funds which run on contributions by service providers.
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The RTDF has received the highest share of the proposed budget. NTA has proposed Rs 8 arab, 5 crore to utilize under RTDF this fiscal year. The remaining amount will come from the authority’s other funds.
The authority plans to inject Rs 3 arab, 48 crores, and 67 lakhs from its own funds.
NTA budget FY 2080/81 will be divided into 13 areas
NTA has identified 13 different areas to invest its budget in FY 2080/81 with the objective to improve and expand telecom services across Nepal. The major areas include policy-making, providing basic telecom services across the country, and making the industry competitive. Similarly, a chunk of funds will be spent on determining the quality of telco gears, frequency management, and research and study of new technologies. The governing body has also included the works on consumer interest for its budget plans this year.
The budget will go through approval to come into effect. The NTA board has passed the budget and is now pending at the communication ministry. The Ministry of Information and Communications (MoCIT) will now assess the budget proposal and make some revisions if requires. Then, it will pass the budget with suggestions. Also read: MDMS in Nepal | NTA Implements to Curb Grey Phones | Register Your Phone to Avoid Blacklisting
The ministry might also add some of the programs by its side to the budget.
MoCIT and NTA- the communication ministry and the regulatory body respectively, work in coordination for the telecommunication service in Nepal. They devise and implement policies for the communication industry and regulate service providers including operators and ISPs.
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