Banking News – With the decision of the Internet Service Providers’ Association of Nepal not to sell low-cost and low-speed packages, a debate is ongoing among Nepali consumers about whether internet charges will become expensive. The Association announced on Monday that it is unable to provide cheap internet packages. The Association had decided to discontinue low-cost packages, stating that service providers’ operating costs were not being covered due to rising fuel prices after tensions in the Middle East, the rise in fiber prices, the situation of excessive inflation, and the increase in the price of electronic chipsets due to the rapid growth of AI.

With the Association’s decision, private internet service providers have announced the discontinuation of sales of cheap packages. As the internet is becoming a part of daily life, concerns have increased that the sudden closure of low-cost packages may deprive the low-income group of internet facilities. In this context, we asked Dr. Kamal Lamichhane, Spokesperson of the government-owned Nepal Telecommunications Company (Nepal Telecom), whether Telecom is also going to discontinue low-cost small packages.

He said:

“The packages that Telecom has been selling to customers will continue to operate. There is currently no plan to increase prices. The packages provided by Telecom to customers are at very affordable rates.”

He claims that Telecom has been selling annual and two-year internet packages at low prices compared to other service providers. The company has stated that customers purchasing Telecom’s fiber internet package have been receiving free mobile data of 600 MB to 1,000 MB daily. Monthly and three-month packages are also in operation. The detailed details of the fiber internet packages currently being provided by the company can be viewed on the website.

“Whatever bandwidth we have given to consumers now, they will get more than that, not less. The billing aspect is also transparent,” Spokesperson Lamichhane said.

Telecom claims that purchasing a two-year package at once provides nearly 15 percent concession on the facilities available in a one-year package. Currently, Telecom has been providing 50 Mbps internet for one year to household customers at Rs 8,499. When taking two years of service at once, that customer has to pay only Rs 14,999. The company has stated that paying the annual fee at once provides 600 MB of mobile data daily free of cost.

Telecom has set fees of Rs 10,499 annually for 75 Mbps internet, Rs 11,499 for 100 Mbps, Rs 12,999 for 150 Mbps, and Rs 16,499 for 200 Mbps. The number of customers connecting to Telecom’s fiber internet reached 4 lakh 2 thousand 110 by the end of Shrawan last year. Telecom has stated that internet connection and maintenance have been made more organized.

“Customers wishing to connect to the internet do not have to come to the office; they can call 198 and take ‘demand,'” Spokesperson Lamichhane said. “We have kept counters open even on public holidays and festivals to provide prompt service to consumers.”

Currently, Telecom’s fiber service has reached nearly 400 palikas and palika centers in 77 districts. The company has stated that this service is being expanded.

“In terms of national necessity, we are expanding service to remote and very remote locations without considering profit and cost,” Spokesperson Lamichhane said. “In places where fiber internet has not reached, we are providing ‘Broadband Internet’ service.”

The company claims that when calculating mobile data and various discounts along with fiber internet, the investment in internet for consumers becomes extremely low. Through Telecom’s fiber, one can watch television with the desired channel along with high-speed internet at once, use telephone service, and also use mobile data. Since four facilities can be operated from a single wire as needed, Nepal Telecom has named it “Three Plus One.”

Now Watch Television with ‘Virtual Set-Top Box’

Telecom has introduced a facility under NTTV, the television service provided through NT Fiber, allowing smart TV users to use the service without a “set-top box.” The company has made a virtual set-top box available for Android TV starting Ashoj 15.

Telecom has stated that customers can use this virtual set-top box on their Android-based smart TVs. Customers can use the virtual set-top box by searching for “Smart NTTV” on the Google Play Store and installing it. Spokesperson Lamichhane informed that preparations are underway to bring a virtual set-top box that can be used on all smart TVs in the days ahead. The service has been developed to be more customer-friendly.

A provision has been made for customers to receive a Rs 1,000 discount when purchasing a new package with a virtual set-top box. Telecom has been providing telephone, high-speed internet, and television services from a single wire through NT Fiber. The company has made various packages available for using television with a virtual set-top box. Mobile data facilities are also available in annual and two-year packages.