NTA Sets Time Restrictions on Public Wi-Fi Hotspot Services by ISPs

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Nepal will no longer be allowed to offer unlimited public Wi-Fi hotspot services unless they hold licenses for basic telecommunications, mobile telephone, or basic telephone services.

Issuing a notice on Sunday, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) said only service providers such as Nepal Telecom and Ncell, which are licensed to offer basic telecommunications or mobile services, will be permitted to provide unlimited Wi-Fi hotspots in public spaces. ISPs will now be allowed to offer such services to their customers in public locations only for limited hours.

According to the notice issued by the NTA’s Frequency, Service Quality and Service Flow Monitoring Section, ISPs without a basic telecommunications license may operate Wi-Fi hotspots only for specific durations and within designated areas as defined under Regulations 2(E) and 2(F) of the NTA’s Wi-Fi Hotspot Operation Bylaw, 2018.

The authority has also mandated that Wi-Fi hotspot services must comply with conditions set by the Radio Frequency Policy Determination Committee, including power limits, and the use of only NTA-approved radio equipment. It warned that any violations would be subject to legal action under existing laws.

The new directive is expected to affect WorldLink Communications, which currently operates extensive Wi-Fi hotspot services in the Kathmandu Valley and major hotels and restaurants. Telecom operators have long complained that such free Wi-Fi hotspots reduce their mobile data revenue and have urged the NTA to impose restrictions.

Both Nepal Telecom and Ncell had requested the regulator to ban WorldLink’s hotspots, arguing that the company has been offering free internet outside customers’ homes without holding a basic telecom, mobile, or telephone service license.

As WorldLink does not hold any of these licenses, the new rule is expected to impact the public Wi-Fi hotspot services it currently provides to its customers.