Nineteen public locations across Kathmandu are now offering free WiFi access, fulfilling Communication Minister Jagdish Kharel’s promise to deliver citywide connectivity within two months of taking office on Ashoj 06. The initiative aims to improve digital inclusion and provide citizens with free, reliable internet access in key public spaces.
The project, implemented in collaboration with the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), Nepal Telecom (NTC), WorldLink, and Vianet, has already brought free WiFi to eight locations as part of the first phase, including Tribhuvan International Airport, Bhaktapur Hospital, Kirtipur Hospital, and several Transport Management Offices across Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur.
WiFi hotspots have also been deployed at Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital (six access points) and Kirtipur Hospital (five access points). NTC has launched free WiFi at TIA and plans to expand the service to 34 airports nationwide. The government has also begun a WiFi quality enhancement initiative, boosting bandwidth from 10 Mbps to 150 Mbps in major hospitals such as T.U. Teaching Hospital, Paropakar Maternity & Women’s Hospital, Civil Service Hospital, and the National Trauma Center.
The ministry confirmed that free WiFi will soon be extended to 10 additional cities. Users are, however, advised to exercise caution when using public WiFi networks to protect personal data and privacy.
This program marks a significant step toward Nepal’s broader Digital Nepal Framework, aiming to improve public access to connectivity, bridge the digital divide, and strengthen the foundation for smart city initiatives across the country.
