MOCIT Extends Deadline for Public Consultation on Social Media Bill
The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) has extended the deadline for
public consultation on the draft “Social Media (Usage and Regulation) Bill 2080”. The notice issued on January 23 has granted an additional 7 days for the public to provide input and suggestions on the proposed bill. Initially, the ministry had set a 15-day timeline for the consultation period.
Prior to this extension, Digital Rights Nepal, along with 34 allied organizations, had submitted a comprehensive set of input encompassing 14 key points in response to the proposed bill. The list of concerns, along with proposed amendments to the bill, was submitted to the Minister for Communications and Information Technology (MoCIT), Rekha Sharma.
Social Media Regulation: Online Complaint System Launched
In an effort to regulate and manage the use of social networks, the government has implemented a system for filing complaints related to social media activities. This initiative is aligned with the directives endorsed by the government on 9 November, 2023. Ramesh Pandey, Under-Secretary and Coordinator, Social Media Management Unit, stated that the unit is now operational and ready to address complaints. Individuals my register complaints online by visiting the website of the ministry (www.mocit.gov.np).
First Visual Live Report: Nearly 10 Million NTC Subscribers Inactive
The Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has revealed startling findings that nearly 10 million NTC subscribers are inactive. The Visual Live Record (VLR) released for the first time by the regulatory body measures the monthly active customer count on a company’s network.
According to visual live report, NTC’s active subscribers amount to only 11.6 million, while the company claimed a total of 20 million subscribers in its GSM mobile service for the same month. This reveals that a whopping 9.4 million customers are inactive, constituting around 50 percent of the total claimed subscribers. In contrast, the private mobile service provider Ncell, trailing behind Telecom by 7.6 million in total subscribers, surpasses Telecom in terms of active customers. Ncell boasts a total of 13.2 million subscribers in Asoj, with 1.2 million actively using its network.
The report also revealed that Ncell has 6,885,652 customers actively using its 4G service, while Telecom’s 4G service boasts 5,849,925 active subscribers. Telecom has reported a total of 1 crore 35 lakh 14 thousand 657 subscribers for its 4G service based mobile broadband.
Former High-Level Officials Arrested on Corruption Charges
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has taken into custody Sunil Paudel, former managing director, Nepal Telecom, and Bikal Paudel, former executive director, Security Printing Centre, over allegations of corruption. The CIAA had previously filed a case against them for the unlawful accumulation of property. Additionally, they were also found depositing money in foreign banks and engaged as consultants for international organizations while still holding positions within the Nepal government.
Court continued Interlocutory Order Restraining Ncell Share Registration
On January 23, the Patan High Court continued the interlocutory interim order preventing telecom service provider Ncell from registering the buying and selling of shares. A division bench consisting of Justices Shaligram Koirala and Shyam Kumar Bhattarai upheld the interlocutory interim order, originally issued by a single bench presided over by Justice Purushottam Prasad Dhakal on 7 December 2023, in the name of the Office of Company Registrar.
