Minister Gurung Urges Nepal Telecom to Review Performance and Enhance Competitiveness

Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has urged Nepal Telecom to reassess its performance and adopt modern strategies to remain competitive in the telecommunications sector.

Speaking at an event marking Nepal Telecom’s 21st anniversary, Minister Gurung expressed concern over the state-owned company’s declining revenue while private telecommunication firms continue to expand. He emphasized the need for a thorough review of Nepal Telecom’s operations to ensure its sustainability in the market.

“We take pride in Nepal Telecom as a leading state-owned enterprise. However, its current pace is not sufficient to thrive in a competitive market. If we fail to conduct a proper review at this moment, it will be regrettable,” said Minister Gurung, who also serves as the government spokesperson.

He urged the company to adopt advanced technology and expand its services to rural areas to compete effectively with private operators. Stressing the need for greater public involvement, Gurung suggested that at least 25% of Nepal Telecom’s shares should be held by the public to ensure accountability.

“E-governance is closely linked to good governance. To achieve this, 4G services must be expanded to every village. If we can accomplish this, the sector will experience significant growth,” he stated.

Highlighting operational challenges in rural areas, the minister directed Nepal Telecom officials to prioritize service quality and infrastructure development, particularly in the densely populated Tarai districts.

Additionally, Gurung reiterated the government’s commitment to regulating social media platforms and ensuring proper digital governance. He mentioned that a bill on social media regulation has been tabled in parliament for better management of online platforms.

Ministry Secretary and Nepal Telecom Chairperson Radhika Aryal also addressed the event, calling for collective efforts to support the government’s digitalization initiatives and expand IT services across Nepal.