Internet services take a hit in Nepal

Internet services in Nepal remained disrupted for an hour on Sunday as a mark of protest by internet service providers (ISPs) against the government's crackdown on 'illegal call bypass'. Utpal Parashar reports.

Updated on: Apr 11, 2011, 24:43:17 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Internet services in Nepal remained disrupted for an hour on Sunday as a mark of protest by internet service providers (ISPs) against the government's crackdown on 'illegal call bypass'.

The ISPs allege that government authorities have been arresting or threatening to arrest their directors and staff blaming them of being hand in glove with illegal call bypass operators. The Internet Service Providers Association of Nepal (ISPAN) has threatened to increase the duration of such disruptions from Monday if the government failed to address their grievances.

Internet users across Nepal were greeted with an ISPAN announcement when they tried to access websites or use other services. The disruption lasted from 1 pm to 2 pm.

In the recent months, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority has unearthed several illegal call bypass rackets, which have caused heavy loss of revenue by routing international telephone calls through Internet. Due to the heavy fee for such calls charged by licenced voice operators (mobile phone service providers), illegal operators route these calls through the net.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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