Section 7
Telecommunications Infrastructure
12.7.1 RTDF will be extensively utilized for building nation-wide back haul infrastructure both optical fiber as well as wireless based.
12.7.2 The development and deployment of a telecommunication infrastructure backbone with regional and international connectivity will be facilitated through Public-Private Partnerships and other appropriate arrangements to offer reliable, high capacity and nationwide service to data, voice and video service content providers;
12.7.3 Necessary legal, regulatory and institutional framework and incentives will be created to support the development of the ICT infrastructure in the country;
12.7.4 Market based guidelines for infrastructure sharing, network interconnection, tariff among other things will be developed as part of the licensing framework;
12.7.5 Steps will be taken to ensure that public sector organizations will liaise, coordinate and harmonize with the agencies responsible for the ICTs before embarking on telecommunications/transmission infrastructure projects to avoid duplication;
12.7.6 Clear policy guidelines will be formulated for developing, sharing and utilization of telecommunication infrastructure within the public sector as part of strategies aimed at leveraging ICTs to streamline delivery of government services;
12.7.7 Measures will be taken to effectively operationalize RTDF to support the development of ICT infrastructure and service rollout especially in rural and underserved areas;
12.7.8 Further measures will be taken to ensure that network operators optimize connectivity to the national ICT backbone and Internet Exchange Point to reduce interconnection costs and broaden network access;
12.7.9 Measures will be taken to strengthen regional infrastructure initiative like SASEC and Asian Information Superhighway projects as the basis for implementing regional and international telecommunications connectivity
12.7.10 Measures will be taken to incorporate provision for telecommunications infrastructure such as laying of fiber optic cables or such other technologies into the design of any public infrastructure project especially when rehabilitating or building roads, electricity grids and railway lines.
12.7.11 Appropriate measures will be promoted to ensure that Internet and other traffic will be exchanged within Nepal using local peering or exchange points as far as it is possible to do so, recognizing that the use of international peering points in other countries imposes an unnecessary cost burden and a potential security risk.
12.7.12 Fast track processes associated with the provision of rights of way including space on land and on or in buildings for the installation of telecommunications infrastructure will be introduced. These should cover both areas that are already developed and those to be developed or redeveloped, where an infrastructure has yet to be installed.
12.7.13 A comprehensive set of regulations and guidelines will be established by Ministry of Information and Communication in conjunction with all relevant Ministries to promote Infrastructure sharing (passive and active) on the principles of neutrality, non- discrimination, and equal access.
12.7.14 Spectrum will be allocated for high speed digital microwave communication to provide cost effective backhaul services for mobile broadband services
12.7.15 Nepal will continue to promote the concept of Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway to promote regional information and communication technology connectivity
12.7.2 The development and deployment of a telecommunication infrastructure backbone with regional and international connectivity will be facilitated through Public-Private Partnerships and other appropriate arrangements to offer reliable, high capacity and nationwide service to data, voice and video service content providers;
12.7.3 Necessary legal, regulatory and institutional framework and incentives will be created to support the development of the ICT infrastructure in the country;
12.7.4 Market based guidelines for infrastructure sharing, network interconnection, tariff among other things will be developed as part of the licensing framework;
12.7.5 Steps will be taken to ensure that public sector organizations will liaise, coordinate and harmonize with the agencies responsible for the ICTs before embarking on telecommunications/transmission infrastructure projects to avoid duplication;
12.7.6 Clear policy guidelines will be formulated for developing, sharing and utilization of telecommunication infrastructure within the public sector as part of strategies aimed at leveraging ICTs to streamline delivery of government services;
12.7.7 Measures will be taken to effectively operationalize RTDF to support the development of ICT infrastructure and service rollout especially in rural and underserved areas;
12.7.8 Further measures will be taken to ensure that network operators optimize connectivity to the national ICT backbone and Internet Exchange Point to reduce interconnection costs and broaden network access;
12.7.9 Measures will be taken to strengthen regional infrastructure initiative like SASEC and Asian Information Superhighway projects as the basis for implementing regional and international telecommunications connectivity
12.7.10 Measures will be taken to incorporate provision for telecommunications infrastructure such as laying of fiber optic cables or such other technologies into the design of any public infrastructure project especially when rehabilitating or building roads, electricity grids and railway lines.
12.7.11 Appropriate measures will be promoted to ensure that Internet and other traffic will be exchanged within Nepal using local peering or exchange points as far as it is possible to do so, recognizing that the use of international peering points in other countries imposes an unnecessary cost burden and a potential security risk.
12.7.12 Fast track processes associated with the provision of rights of way including space on land and on or in buildings for the installation of telecommunications infrastructure will be introduced. These should cover both areas that are already developed and those to be developed or redeveloped, where an infrastructure has yet to be installed.
12.7.13 A comprehensive set of regulations and guidelines will be established by Ministry of Information and Communication in conjunction with all relevant Ministries to promote Infrastructure sharing (passive and active) on the principles of neutrality, non- discrimination, and equal access.
12.7.14 Spectrum will be allocated for high speed digital microwave communication to provide cost effective backhaul services for mobile broadband services
12.7.15 Nepal will continue to promote the concept of Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway to promote regional information and communication technology connectivity