- Nepal's internet bandwidth usage has hit its peak due to Gen Z protests.
- Increased VPN/DNS app use, alongside social media access attempts, strains international bandwidth.
- A 40% bandwidth surge risks a complete internet shutdown in Nepal.
As Gen Z protests boiled over, resulting in several tragedies, internet bandwidth usage also skyrocketed. And there are fears of a possible internet meltdown if the surge furthers.
According to Nepali internet service providers (ISPs), Nepal’s internet bandwidth use has reached its peak. The ISPs’ umbrella union, ISPAN, chief Sudhir Parajuli, has said that ISPs are currently operating at their maximum.
“There is a greater fear of the internet going down than opening social media,” Parajuli said, “The capacity of large service providers has reached its peak.”
He shared that 40% more bandwidth is being consumed than usual. “If more internet bandwidth is consumed than this, a shutdown may occur,” he said, adding, “Nepali websites are already running at a very slow speed.”
The possible outage was also due to the growth in use of VPN and DNS apps. Nepal’s internet bandwidth is mostly consumed by social media, which are currently banned over non-registration. As users resort to using VPN and DNS, it’s putting more pressure on international bandwidth. The internet is already running slower, but the recent peak in bandwidth furthers the possibility of an internet outage.
Also: List of registered and unregistered social media platforms in Nepal
How are Gen Z protests peaking internet bandwidth
Amidst Gen Z protests, more people are getting connected on social media. People are sharing posts, photos, videos, and content about the demonstration and sharing regular updates. Gen Z youths (born between 1997 and 2012) are demonstrating against corruption and the lack of good governance.
This has largely contributed to a huge bandwidth consumption over the past two days. And the way the tragedy unfolded today, things could get worse. And the need for connectivity becomes more intense.
Speaking of this, though, it seemed some ISPs lifted the ban on social media for some time, which seems to be blocked again. So, this has gone down in a bit of a mystery as to how it happened.
Of everything, being without internet could be the worst situation around these times right now in Nepal. We will keep you updated.
What do you think of the Gen Z protests and the social media ban? Share your opinions in the comments below.
