Govt’s 10 key promises- NTC SIM home delivery, data use warning

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) has approved a reform action plan for the 10 key priority services for the public. These range from home delivery of NTC SIM, further enhancement of Nagarik App, to delivering driving licenses within 45 days. These resemble the ruling party’s theme of digital transformation of public services and improvement of telecom services. We have details under two different categories below, namely, Public Services and Telecom Service Improvements.

These plans align closely with the government’s digitally-powered plans in its first 100 promises.

Public Services

• The government has decided to launch an integrated application system within 45 days, which will allow Nepalese to apply for police reports, passports, and driving licenses through the Nagarik App. Polie report service is already available on the popular app.
• The government has decided to modernize Hulak Sewa (postal service) by converting it into a government courier service. With this, the government aims to deliver government services to the public in 90 days, including delivering passports, driving licenses, educational certificates, and Nepal Telecom SIM cards. The postal routes will be reviewed by the end of Baisakh 2083. It’s also said that medical test samples will be transported safely to laboratories. Check out: How to check for driving License print information by SMS?
• In another major development, the government has announced that it will print new driving licenses within 24 hours using advanced printing machines at the Security Printing Center. At first, it aims to clear the backlog of about 2.9 million licenses by the end of Ashar 2083.
• The government will optimize over 250 government websites and applications to make them user-friendly and accessible. The plan is to make them accessible for all, including people with disabilities and those with limited technology knowledge.

Highly recommended: Track the government’s 100 promises through Pratipakchya

Telecom Service Improvements

• The presser mentions that the government will coordinate with Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to improve mobile data services. In other good news, an arrangement will be made to notify users when their data usage reaches 90%. An option to disable PAYG and a subscription-based telecom service model for data services will be introduced. We have been waiting for it. Haven’t we?
• Policy provisions will be revised in 30 days to improve 4G quality by allocating additional frequency.  A one-time KYC system will be enforced in 30 days for Nepal Telecom services so that the company’s customers won’t have to resubmit their details each time they apply for a new service.
• System-based telecommunications services such as eSIM, SIM distribution, complaint management, SIM recovery, and ownership transfer will be made fully online within 30 days.
• To ensure easy access to telecom services, a “One Stop Service” help desk will be established in all Nepal Telecom offices within 30 days, providing services such as SIM, FTTH (NT Fiber), leased line, NTC KYC updates, and bill payments from a single location.
• Within 90 days, necessary legislation will be drafted to ensure policy frameworks related to information technology, e-governance, cybersecurity, data protection, and artificial intelligence in Nepal.

A clear omission here is the launch of 5G in Nepal. But we should expect some plans for the next-gen network in the coming days.

The communication ministry aims to implement these programs to provide fast, reliable, and transparent services to citizens.