NTA Moves to Cancel Licenses of 17 Internet Service Providers Over Unpaid Dues
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority has initiated the process to revoke licenses of 17 internet service providers for failing to pay royalties, RTDF contributions and submit financial reports.
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has initiated proceedings to cancel the licenses of 17 internet and email service provider companies in Nepal. The action has been taken after the companies failed to clear outstanding dues related to royalties, the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund (RTDF), and other regulatory obligations.
According to the NTA, repeated notices, emails, and reminders were ignored by the companies. As a result, they have been given a 15-day ultimatum under Section 28 of the Telecommunications Act, 2053, to provide clarification as to why their licenses should not be revoked.
If the responses are not satisfactory within the given timeframe, the authority has stated that it will proceed with license cancellation under Subsection 4 of the same law.
The companies reportedly failed to submit audited financial statements, royalty payments, RTDF contributions, and regular service and customer data for several fiscal years.
The list of companies facing potential license cancellation includes Beni Communication, Broadband Solutions, Big Marshyangdi Net, Divine Stream Network, Clean Network, GR Link Internet Service, Kalika Net, Cosmic Net, Direct Media, Kshireswor Network, Metrolink Business, Nepal Net Sanchar, Prime Network, Sangrila Infomatics, Ultranet Communication, Unified Communication, and Unite Networks Pvt. Ltd.