KATHMANDU — Dec 7, 2025
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has issued a strict 35-day ultimatum to multiple internet service providers (ISPs) to clear their outstanding dues to the Rural Telecommunication Development Fund (RTDF). The regulator directed all defaulting companies to submit both their pending payments and the required financial documentation within the stipulated period.
Under Nepal’s telecom regulations, all ISPs are required to contribute 2 percent of their annual income to the RTDF. These funds are used for expanding and upgrading telecom infrastructure in rural and remote regions of the country. According to NTA, several ISPs operating under email service licenses have failed to submit audited financial reports, royalty payments, and RTDF contributions despite repeated reminders.
In its official notice, NTA stated that multiple attempts had been made through official correspondence, emails, and public notices to recover the outstanding amounts. However, the authority said that some ISPs neither complied with the regulations nor formally responded. As a result, NTA has now issued a final public warning demanding immediate settlement along with full documentation.
The authority reiterated that the RTDF plays a critical role in financing telecom projects in underserved areas, including optical fiber expansion and rural connectivity initiatives. Failure to comply within the given deadline could expose defaulting ISPs to regulatory action.
Important clarification:
As of now, NTA has not publicly disclosed the names of the defaulting ISPs in its official notice.
