ISPs begin managing tangled internet cables after NEA row

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will soon start managing their entangled fiber internet cables and equipment from the Singha Durbar area. The move seems to finally reflect a resolution after a long row with Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) over the messy fiber cables on utility poles. Service providers’ umbrella union Internet Service Providers’ Association of Nepal (ISPAN) has also sent a letter to Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) asking for facilitation as they begin to put messy cables in place.

ISPs will start removing the messy cables on November 12^th in the Singha Durbar area.

“On the initiative of ISPAN, various service providers have undertaken cable management work in different areas,” read the letter, “Earlier, wire management has been completed in the tourist areas of Thamel, Tokha Municipality, New Road, Sankata, etc.”

The letter mentioned that NTA played a supporting role in wire management works in the above-mentioned places. ISPAN has requested the telecom regulator to continue its support when it begins managing fiber cables around Singha Durbar in the next few days.  

“We are requesting Nepal Electricity Authority, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Kathmandu Valley Traffic Office, etc. to take the necessary steps to make their presence with the necessary resources to manage the wires from Singha Durbar.”

ISPAN says the cables management work will complete in the Singha Durbar vicinity in four phases.

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ISPs managing internet cables after the NEA deadline

ISPs’ decision to work on cable management follows a stern 45-day deadline issued by NEA and a month of hostility.

Recently, NEA issued a warning on ISPS to start working on managing cables. The authority also set a deadline of 45 days for the work and suggested that service providers will be to blame for any financial loss if it starts cutting off cables again.

The electricity authority has in the past cut off fiber cables causing network outages and drawing condemnation. But citing cables’ effect on urban planning, and being fire hazards, etc., it has persistently called on ISPs to manage their cables.

ISPs, Cable TV providers, and Telcos run their cables through overhead poles which are operated by NEA. But indiscriminate expansion of cables has resulted in dangling cables causing potential safety risks. The authority has also cited its adverse effect on urban beauty.

As a solution, NEA has asked ISPs to manage their cables and issued a set of criteria for the latter. Now, the companies will work on cable management as they run the risk of cable cutting by the authority.

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It also could land a resolution between NEA and ISPAN on their long standoff over the pole usage. In recent months, both bodies have drawn hostility over the poles’ usage even leading to the internet outage. However, the decision of ISPs to manage the cables could lead to a resolution that would benefit us all.

What is the condition of the internet cables on the pole from which the cable runs to your house? Does it require intervention? You can share in the comments below.