Most of the projects funded by RTDF delayed

Majority of the projects funded by the Rural Telecommunication Development Fund (RTDF) are unlikely to meet the deadline. Even as separate agreements to carry out projects worth NPR 9 billion were reached with Nepal Telecom (NT), United Telecom Limited (UTL) and Smart Telecom, no project has made progress as per condition set in the agreement.

Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) on September 28, 2016, had signed an agreement with NT to expand optical fiber network in 32 districts along the Mid-Hill Highway with investment of around NPR 4.47 billion. More than half of the time allocated to complete the project has already passed, however; NT has failed to initiate any work to implement the project.


Min Prasad Aryal, spokesperson of NTA said that despite repeated reminder from NTA, the project has not moved ahead as per the time line and agreement condition. “NTA takes action henceforth, if NT does nothing," he added. In a bid to expand internet service in all districts of Province 4 and 5, NTA had selected UTL and signed an agreement for the project at NPR 1.01 billion on May 8, 2017, providing two years of time to complete the project. Yet, NTA has not received any progress report from UTL.

Smart Telecom, which was assigned to establish back bone connectivity in Province 6 and 7, has reported that ‘negotiation’ has kicked off yet no visible progress has been made. Through these projects, the government has set target to expand infrastructure of information highway to all districts to connect all community schools, health posts and rural municipalities with internet.

Source: Karobar