May 23, Kathmandu- The government has decided to reduce internet charges through the budget for the fiscal year 2082/83. An action plan has been prepared to reduce internet charges and expand access within the next two years.

The ‘Economic Reform Implementation Action Plan’ prepared for the implementation of the recommendations of the High-Level Economic Reform Suggestion Commission 2081 has brought a plan to reduce fixed or wire-based internet charges.

“To provide maximum access to the internet to Nepalese, fees will be reduced to make fixed or wired internet accessible to all and the Rural Telecommunications Fund will be mobilized to expand broadband connectivity,” the action plan states. The plan will be implemented under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Finance and will be monitored through the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Communications.

Along with this, plans have been made to implement an integrated software system for the delivery of similar services and internal office operations used in various agencies, to make the information technology system services operated in one agency usable by similar information technology systems of another agency, to promote a digital literacy program as a campaign to enable all citizens to use information technology, and to issue a new national information technology policy that addresses issues such as AI, robotics, and the Internet of Things.