NTA’s Broadband Project Reaches 16,208 Locations
The Nepal Telecommunication Authority’s (NTA) broadband project has extended broadband internet services to a total of 16,208 locations, as per reports. Initiated in 2076 BS, the project utilized the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund to install internet connections in various areas. Among the connected locations, 708 local level offices, 5,933 ward offices, 5,318 community secondary schools, and 4,249 community health institutions and hospitals have benefitted from the broadband project.
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NTA to Introduce Terms and Conditions for Promotional and Festival Offers
The Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) is preparing to introduce new terms and conditions for licensed voice service providers regarding promotional and festival offers. Before the final adoption, the NTA is actively seeking feedback until August 9, 2023.
The proposed terms require voice service providers to inform the NTA in advance before launching any festival or promotional offers. There are two types of offers: festival offers, limited to 10 at a time or 100 within a Fiscal Year, with a maximum duration of 15 days, and promotional offers, limited to 25 products/packages within a Fiscal Year, with a maximum duration of 3 months. Providers must notify the NTA at least 7 days before launching any offer, specifying the effective date. Relaunching the same products/packages as festival offers without additional benefits is prohibited. The terms aim to streamline and bring transparency to promotional and festival offers while ensuring compliance with regulations in the telecommunications sector.
“Hello Sarkar” Directed Government Offices to Update and Maintain Emails
Hello Sarkar, a government online public communication platform under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM), has issued a directive to all government offices emphasizing the importance of maintaining government email systems. The directive urges prompt resolution of any technical difficulties hindering routine checks to ensure that official emails are functional and operational.
Transport Offices Nationwide to Embrace Online Technology
In a significant step towards modernizing the transport sector, all transport offices across the country are set to transition to online technology starting from Bhadra. A meeting convened by the federal government, comprising ministers and secretaries from seven provinces, resulted in an 11-point collective declaration aimed at enhancing the transport system.
One of the keys focuses of this transition is to make driver’s license services more technology-friendly and alleviate crowds at transport offices. To achieve this, the electronic service, currently operational only in Pokhara of Gandaki State, will be expanded to all transport offices nationwide, beginning from Bhadra.
Moreover, the declaration emphasizes the prioritization of embossed number installations as part of the efforts to enhance the transport sector.
Nepali Smartphone Imports Witness 73% Decrease in FY 2079/80
In the Fiscal Year 2079/80, the Nepali smartphone market experienced an astounding 73% decline in imports, primarily due to the waning popularity of premium phones among buyers. The latest data from the Customs Department reflects this significant drop in smartphone imports.
During FY 2079/80, 15 lakh 59 thousand smartphones, valued at Rs 24.39 billion, were imported, representing a staggeringly low volume of devices. In stark contrast, in FY 2078/79, Nepali traders had brought in 57 lakhs, 63 thousand units of smartphones worth Rs 40.89 billion.
This sharp decline in imports also impacted the government’s revenue from customs duties. In the last fiscal year, the Nepali government generated Rs 4.55 billion in customs revenue, whereas in FY 2078/79, it collected Rs 6.54 billion.
Indonesia Enforces Block on ‘X’ – Twitter Rebrand by Elon Musk
Indonesia has taken measures to block ‘X,’ the Twitter rebrand initiated by billionaire Elon Musk. The block is rooted in the country’s laws pertaining to online pornography and gambling. The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Informatics provided clarity on the matter, stating that the restriction was imposed due to ‘X’s association with domains that had previously violated the nation’s regulations, hosting content deemed “negative” and non-compliant with the country’s laws.
Minister and Industry Secretary’s Divergent Views on the E-commerce Bill
The Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies (MoICS), Ramesh Rijal, has offered reassurance that businesses conducted through platforms like TikTok and Facebook will remain unaffected by the e-commerce bill. During a meeting of the Legislation Management Committee under the National Assembly, Minister Rijal emphasized that trade carried out via social media channels would not fall under the purview of the e-commerce bill. He emphasized that joining the e-commerce sector would be voluntary, not mandatory.
However, in contrast, MOICS’s Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini expressed a different perspective, suggesting that the provisions in the bill could potentially apply to transactions involving the sale of goods through social media.
The contradictory viewpoints from these authoritative figures have led to some confusion regarding the scope and implications of the e-commerce bill. As stakeholders await further clarity, understanding the bill’s scope and its impact on social media-based commerce remains a matter of importance and discussion.
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DRN organized an Interactive Session on E-commerce Bill
Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) collaborated with the Legislative Management Committee of the National Assembly and the Center for Rule of Law to host an interactive session on the e-commerce bill. The event took place on 25th July 2023 and involved key stakeholders in the field. Attended by members of the Legislative Management Committee of the National Assembly, representatives from the e-commerce sector, legal experts, and media personnel, the session focused on addressing concerns related to the proposed bill. The participants expressed their apprehensions regarding certain provisions of the bill.
In response, the members of the National Assembly assured the concerned stakeholders that they would thoroughly review each provision to ensure a balanced approach that safeguards the rights of both consumers and e-commerce entities. The interactive session served as a platform for constructive dialogue, aiming to shape a robust e-commerce bill that upholds consumers rights while fostering a conducive environment for the growth of e-commerce in Nepal.
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Opportunities
Apply for Researcher for large Language Models and ChatGPT
NAAMII is undertaking a research project to evaluate the capabilities and limitations of existing ChatGPT and other open-source Large Language Models (LLMs) in addressing Sexual Reproductive and Maternal Health (SRMH) topics in Nepali language conversations. The aim is to adapt AI advancements from English to Nepali, promoting inclusivity and value. The project involves a collaborative team of AI scientists, domain experts, and community engagement specialists from different organizations working together to develop the next generation of Nepali language chatbots. Interested parties can apply by submitting required documents in a single PDF file through Researcher for Large Language Models and ChatGPT – NAAMII
Join the Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023 Webinar
Learn how you and your organization can actively participate in Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023 by attending a special webinar hosted by the National Cybersecurity Alliance and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). During the webinar, you will explore the campaign’s details, gain valuable insights, and participate in an interactive session. Topics covered include the new theme for this year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a review of toolkit materials, and practical tips for launching your own cybersecurity initiatives. To register: https://forms.gle/iq3Cw2zmBukDg3aw8
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Resources
Addressing Internet Censorship and Content Filtering: An Advocacy Toolkit for Civil Society Organizations
EngageMedia, in collaboration with the Global Network Initiative, presents a comprehensive regional advocacy toolkit focused on tackling the challenges of Internet censorship and content filtering. This empowering resource is designed to support civil society organizations and advocacy movements, enabling them to navigate through the complexities of internet censorship and content filtering. The toolkit aims to equip members of local human rights organizations with a deeper understanding of regional perspectives on these issues, empowering them to advocate more effectively for a more open and accessible internet.
For more: Addressing Internet Censorship and Content Filtering: An Advocacy Toolkit for Civil Society Organizations – EngageMedia
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Digital Rights Weekly is a week-based update on Digital Rights and ICT issues, that happened throughout the week, compiled and analyzed from the digital rights perspective by Digital Rights Nepal (DRN). DRN is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to the protection and promotion of digital rights, including the right to online freedom of expression and association, online privacy, access to information, and related issues such as internet governance, cyber laws/policies, and cyber securities in Nepal.
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