Last Updated on October 10, 2026
Summary✨
- Nepal Telecom expands its optical fiber network by 2,216 km in Gandaki and Lumbini provinces to improve high-speed broadband.
- The project, backed by Rs 2.01 billion in funding from RTDF, aims for reliable connectivity in 194 local levels and 432 mobile sites.
- Nepal Telecom will lay 2,028 km of aerial fiber and 188 km underground, supporting future 5G expansion.
- The Information Highway Project covers all seven provinces and has made significant progress, though some delays exist.
- The initiative will enhance digital services, education, healthcare, and business connectivity in rural areas.
Nepal Telecom (NTC) is expanding its optical fiber network by 2,216 km across Gandaki and Lumbini provinces to improve high-speed broadband connectivity in 194 local levels. The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) and Nepal Telecom have signed an agreement to implement the Information Highway Project, with funding of up to Rs 2.01 billion from the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund (RTDF).
The agreement was signed on Friday (October 09, 2026) in the presence of Communication Minister Dr. Bikram Timilsina. The project has a three-year deadline, although the minister has directed the concerned authorities to complete it, a year earlier.
Nepal Telecom to lay 2,216 km optical fiber network in Gandaki and Lumbini
As part of the information highway project, Nepal Telecom will lay 2,028 km of aerial optical fiber and 188 km of underground fiber. It will also involve installing 28 Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) systems and five routers.
According to NTA, the infrastructure aims to provide reliable broadband connectivity to 194 local levels and 432 mobile BTS sites across the two provinces.
The expanded network will improve internet and mobile data quality in rural and remote areas while preparing the infrastructure for future 5G expansion.
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Information Highway Project Progress so far
The Information Highway Project comprises all seven provinces in three packages. Package 1 covers Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati; Package 2 covers Gandaki and Lumbini; and Package 3 covers Karnali and Sudurpashchim.
Work in Koshi Province under Package 1 has been completed, while 1,449.446 km of the targeted 2,179 km optical fiber network has been laid across the package. Under Package 3, 799 km of optical fiber has been installed so far.
NTA admits delays in some areas and has directed NTC to accelerate the remaining work while maintaining quality.
NTC Expects Better Rural Connectivity
Nepal Telecom Managing Director Sangita Pahadi (Aryal) said the project would help deliver reliable and affordable telecommunications services to geographically challenging areas.
The new infrastructure will support digital services such as e-governance, telemedicine, e-learning, and digital financial services. It will also improve connectivity for education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, and businesses.
The optical fiber network is expected to strengthen Nepal’s digital infrastructure, improve telecommunications service quality, and create a foundation for future 5G services in Gandaki and Lumbini.
The government-backed company is likely to launch a 5G network in Nepal in a year’s time, so the new fiber expansion project is going to reinforce the plans for the future.
FAQs on Nepal Telecom to expand fiber in Gandaki, Lumbini for information highway project
Nepal Telecom will lay 2,216 km of optical fiber, including 2,028 km of aerial fiber and 188 km of underground fiber.
The project will receive a grant of up to Rs 201 crore from the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund (RTDF).
The project aims to improve broadband connectivity in 194 local levels and 432 mobile BTS sites across Gandaki and Lumbini provinces.
The project has a three-year completion deadline, but the Communication Minister has directed the concerned authorities to finish it one year earlier.
Yes. The high-capacity optical fiber network will improve telecommunications infrastructure and help prepare Nepal Telecom for future 5G expansion.
