KATHMANDU, 

The Internet Service Providers' Association of Nepal has threatened to disrupt internet service across the country after the Nepal Electricity Authority removed internet cables from its utility poles on the pretext of outstanding rental charges.

Organising a press conference here today, ISPAN alleged NEA monopoly on pole charge and accused it of creating an unfavourable environment for providing internet services. The association stated that if they were forced to disrupt internet service, the NEA would be responsible for it.

Addressing the press meet, ISPAN President Sudhir Parajuli said the NEA had cut off lines to the ISP's data centres, operational points, as well as main lines, trunk lines, crossings, fibre wires, and other wires from electric poles to 'recover rental dues'.

"Despite ISPs regularly paying the rental charges for using NEA's utility poles, the authority has been removing internet cables in various parts of the country," Parajuli said.

According to ISPAN, the electricity authority has cut lines of the ISPs located in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Inaruwa, Kakadvitta, Gauriganj, Pokhara, Dharan, Khotang, Bhairahawa, Doti, and Lalitpur, among other places.

The dispute regarding the rental charge of NEA utility poles started a year ago after the authority hiked charges by up to 700 per cent.

"The NEA unilaterally hiked pole charge without consulting any related bodies, such as the Nepal Telecommunication Authority, or consumers' representatives, such as consumers' forums," Parajuli said.

"A high-level committee was formed to suggest ways to keep internet fare low as increased fare would go against the idea of Digital Nepal. The committee had suggested in its report that the decision to raise pole charges be revoked. However, NEA didn't implement the recommendation of the report," he added.

ISPAN has appealed to the relevant ministries, agencies, and human rights commissions (national as well as international) to make immediate intervention so that they don't have to disrupt internet services.

Meanwhile, NEA Spokesperson Suresh Bahadur Bhattarai told THT that the NEA took action against ISPs after they failed to clear dues for using utility poles despite repeated pleas.

"The affected ISPs had been using utility poles without clearing their arrears. We're taking action against them following proper legal provisions," he added.

A version of this article appears in the print on January 3, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.