Because of a campaign by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to remove internet cables from utility poles that are used by internet service providers, internet connectivity has been disrupted in most parts of the country, including the Kathmandu valley, over the past several weeks (ISPs).
The authority and Internet service providers (ISPs) have been at odds since the authority hiked rental fees for utility poles that the ISPs utilise.
According to the government, the ISPs have not yet paid off long-standing debts owed for the use of utility poles.
The authority has issued a notice to the ISPs, requesting that they pay the arrears. According to the regulator, it has been warning ISPs that if they continue to disregard their calls and fail to clear the arrears by October 1, internet cables will be removed from utility poles.
According to a statement made today by the Federation of Computer Association Nepal, internet connectivity has been disrupted in places such as Kathmandu, Bharatpur, Butwal, Biratnagar, Dhankuta, Dharan, Taplejung, Khandichaur, and Dhangadhi as a result of the authority’s drive (CAN Federation).
The federation has expressed its displeasure with the authority’s decision to remove internet wires.