[Itpolicy-np] Ket us discuss as how RTDF can best be used?

[mahabir at himanchal.org]

Hello;

Let us discuss how the fund that has been collected for rural
communication infrastucture development by charging 2% extras to the
business communities can best be used.

What I believe is that if the government use that money, it will help to
build communication infrastructure to cover 60% of Nepal.

Please make your points short. If somebody wants to record the points, we
can give it to the government. Make it a sort of brainstorming session.

Mahabir


> 1. Business community, with due respect, has been contributing 2% of its
> total revenue for such activities...which has been lying ideal since
> long time. Will they be interested to move further when government takes
> ages to come up with any firm policy ?
>
> 2. I firmly believe that business community never hesitates for social
> investment, provided concerned authorities play vital role for conducive
> environment.
>
> 3. If ISP wants to operate in rural areas, they must be exempted with 2%
> RTDF to start with and must be given tax holiday for the equipment they
> import ONLY FOR rural connectivity.
>
> 4. For example, MOS has tied-up with Winrock International to setup VSAT
> in rural areas. The setup cost almost NRs. 300,000 but the community --
> MOSTLY RURAL, are paying NRs. 250,000 as license fee.
>
> 5. When we talk about taking ICT to rural community, Internet plays vital
> role but what about other services which is required as per the need of
> local community ? People in Karnali "where at some places even having
> NRs. 10 note makes issues" might prioritize need of communication
> rather than information.
>
> Is government willing to grant license of WLL and that too free of cost
> if a private company wants to operate ? And can the same government work
> day and night to happen it quickly without investing another five years
> to come up with "lucrative policy"
>
> Just my five cents :)
>
> Pavan
>
> On 1/21/2007, "Ananda Raj Khanal" <arkhanal at nta.gov.np> wrote:
>
>>I appreciate the concerns of Rajendra sir. Is it possible for our
>>business communities to motivate in this direction? They too have some
>>social obligations. Tax exemptions, tax holiday, special considerations
>>for ICTs are fine but, will they be reflected truly and proportionately
>>for the people we are talking about?
>>
>>
>>Ananda Raj Khanal
>>Manager
>>Nepal Telecommunications Authority
>>GPO Box 9754, Baluwatar
>>Kathmandu, Nepal
>>Tel:+977-1-4446008( Off direct)
>>+977-1-4446001/2/3/4 ( Exchange) Ext 235
>>Mobile:+97712300091
>>Fax: +9777-1-4446006
>>E-mail: arkhanal at nta.gov.np,arkhanal at hotmail.com
>>Web: www.nta.gov.np
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: itpolicy-np-bounces at lahai.com
>>[mailto:itpolicy-np-bounces at lahai.com] On Behalf Of enrd at wlink.com.np
>>Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2007 9:01 PM
>>To: Discussion List for Nepal's IT/TelecomPolicies"
>>itpolicy-np at lahai.com"
>>Cc: itpolicy-np at lahai.com
>>Subject: Re: [Itpolicy-np] VSAT user license fee;
>>
>>Hello all,
>>
>>Do you want to promote ICT in rural Area?
>>Then start lobby for this.
>>
>>1) No VSAT user license fee for the communitey based organization.
>>2) No Vansar for the computer deveicess, tele-medicine equipment
>>devices,
>>tele-education devices, which is provided by donor to the community
>>based organization, for community used propose.
>>3) No VAT and 10% taX in telephone in rural Telecenter where people do
>>not have money for food.
>>
>>Before voicing on these demands I would like to request you all on this
>>agenda.
>>
>>How we can integrate business motives organization and social services
>>communities based non-profitable organization in these issues. Think
>>very carefully. It is very easy to demand but difficut to manage. Only
>>we should not show problem but need to give solutions also.
>>
>>Regards
>>Rajendra
>>
>>
>>
>>On 1/20/2007, "mahabir at himanchal.org" <mahabir at himanchal.org> wrote:
>>
>>>Hello all;
>>>
>>>If the ISPs agree for Rs.35,000 as VSAT user license fee for their
>>>businesses, that is ok. However, I don't want to pay even one ruppee if
>>I
>>>set up community ISPs in the rural areas.
>>>
>>>For example, I am trying to see if I could find resources to set up two
>>>community ISPs in Karnali. I won't pay anything if my dream
>>materializes.
>>>
>>>Mahabir
>>>
>>>> Yes I do support this comment and we need to look into this and as I
>>feel
>>>> that
>>>> NTA will lookinto this also.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Kishor
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Friday 19 January 2007 11:00, Pavan S Shakya wrote:
>>>>> NRs. 35,000 VSAT User License fee for five years sounds reasonable
>>and
>>>>> affordable. Government must have record on how many VSATs are set-up
>>in
>>>>> the
>>>>> country as such equipment might be sensitive issue in the longer
>>run.
>>>>>
>>>>> However, in order to proliferate ICT accesses in rural areas,
>>Government
>>>>> should think of waiving 2% RTDF for such service providers who
>>provide
>>>>> their respective services in rural areas.
>>>>>
>>>>> For example, if Mahabir Dai is providing Internet access in Myagdi,
>>is
>>>>> it
>>>>> justifiable to charge 2% to him ? I guess not.
>>>>>
>>>>> Pavan
>>>>>
>>>>> At 10:18 AM 1/19/2007, Ananda Raj Khanal wrote:
>>>>> >That is true but my contention is that zero license fees for VSAT
>>user
>>>>> may
>>>>> >be justifiable for rural ICT and non profit making organizations
>>like ?
>>>>> We
>>>>> >can discuss on these issues with open mind.
>>>>> >
>>>>> >Ananda Raj Khanal
>>>>> >Manager
>>>>> >Nepal Telecommunications Authority
>>>>> >GPO Box 9754, Baluwatar
>>>>> >Kathmandu, Nepal
>>>>> >Tel:+977-1-4446008( Off direct)
>>>>> >+977-1-4446001/2/3/4 ( Exchange) Ext 235
>>>>> >Mobile:+97712300091
>>>>> >Fax: +9777-1-4446006
>>>>> >E-mail: arkhanal at nta.gov.np,arkhanal at hotmail.com
>>>>> >Web: www.nta.gov.np
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >-----Original Message-----
>>>>> >From: itpolicy-np-bounces at lahai.com
>>>>> >[mailto:itpolicy-np-bounces at lahai.com] On Behalf Of Pavan S Shakya
>>>>> >Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 4:52 PM
>>>>> >To: itpolicy-np at lahai.com
>>>>> >Subject: RE: [Itpolicy-np] PLease suggest/Custom/tax
>>>>> >
>>>>> >I had heard that NTA had already decided to bring VSAT User License
>>>>> cost
>>>>> >to
>>>>> >NRs. 35,000.
>>>>> >
>>>>> >May be Ananda sir can tell us more about it, if the news is not
>>>>> >confidential :)
>>>>> >
>>>>> >Pavan
>>>>> >
>>>>> >At 10:40 AM 1/18/2007, mahabir at himanchal.org wrote:
>>>>> > >Namaste Ananda ji;
>>>>> > >
>>>>> > >It will open a door for everybody to bring ICT in the rural areas
>>if
>>>>> >
>>>>> >NTA
>>>>> >
>>>>> > >makes the license fee zero to the VSAT users. I am sure many VDCs
>>and
>>>>> >
>>>>> >DDCs
>>>>> >
>>>>> > >will take initiatives. Making it license free means creating
>>>>> >
>>>>> >opportunities
>>>>> >
>>>>> > >to bring ICT to 80% of the areas of Nepal that is rural.
>>>>> > >
>>>>> > >As long as people can import the VSAT equipment without going
>>through
>>>>> >
>>>>> >any
>>>>> >
>>>>> > >government beuarocracy such as requiring license to import it, or
>>get
>>>>> > >permission from the government to get clearance through the
>>custom,
>>>>> >
>>>>> >people
>>>>> >
>>>>> > >will be ready to pay 10% or 15% tax/duty whatever is levied upon
>>it.
>>>>> > >
>>>>> > >Please take my suggestion seriously.
>>>>> > >
>>>>> > >Thanks.
>>>>> > >
>>>>> > >Mahabir
>>>>> > >
>>>>> > > > Dear All,
>>>>> > > > NTA is very positive in making the license fees zero for the
>>VSAT
>>>>> >
>>>>> >users.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > Regarding the tax on the import of the VSAT for rural areas,
>>we
>>>>> >
>>>>> >should
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > convince the MoF. But we should not forget that the tax free
>>idea
>>>>> >
>>>>> >should
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > be applicable only for rural ICT development that caters
>>service
>>>>> to
>>>>> >
>>>>> >the
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > rural people.
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > Ananda Raj Khanal
>>>>> > > > Manager
>>>>> > > > Nepal Telecommunications Authority
>>>>> > > > GPO Box 9754, Baluwatar
>>>>> > > > Kathmandu, Nepal
>>>>> > > > Tel:+977-1-4446008( Off direct)
>>>>> > > > +977-1-4446001/2/3/4 ( Exchange) Ext 235
>>>>> > > > Mobile:+97712300091
>>>>> > > > Fax: +9777-1-4446006
>>>>> > > > E-mail: arkhanal at nta.gov.np,arkhanal at hotmail.com
>>>>> > > > Web: www.nta.gov.np
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > -----Original Message-----
>>>>> > > > From: itpolicy-np-bounces at lahai.com
>>>>> > > > [mailto:itpolicy-np-bounces at lahai.com] On Behalf Of
>>>>> > > > mahabir at himanchal.org
>>>>> > > > Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 6:34 PM
>>>>> > > > To: Biplav; Discussion List for Nepal's IT/Telecom Policies
>>>>> > > > Subject: Re: [Itpolicy-np] PLease suggest/From Mahabir
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > Namaste;
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > Namaste;
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > It is good that you are talking to the vice chairman of NPC.
>>Based
>>>>> >
>>>>> >on my
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > experience, I would like to tell -
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > 1. VSAT must be license free to import and use for the
>>expansion
>>>>> of
>>>>> >
>>>>> >ICT
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > in
>>>>> > > > the rural areas. Using Wi-fi technology, we can extend the
>>>>> services
>>>>> >
>>>>> >in
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > the
>>>>> > > > rural area up to 100 km (maximum) from the nearest city where
>>>>> >
>>>>> >Internet
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > and
>>>>> > > > telecommunication services are available. Nepal Wireless
>>Network
>>>>> in
>>>>> > > > Myagdi
>>>>> > > > is the example. However, it will not be practical to extend
>>the
>>>>> >
>>>>> >network
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > to
>>>>> > > > the remote areas of Karnali and on the other sides of
>>Himalayas
>>>>> such
>>>>> >
>>>>> >as
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > Mustang, Manang, Manaslu area using Wi-fi radios. VSAT is the
>>only
>>>>> > > > option
>>>>> > > > for that. If VSAT is made license free, businesses or
>>NGOs/INGOs,
>>>>> or
>>>>> > > > VDCs/DDCs will be interested to bring the services in the
>>rural
>>>>> >
>>>>> >areas by
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > themselves. It will make the task much easier to the
>>government
>>>>> for
>>>>> > > > bringing ICT in the rural areas.
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > 2. If the government does not want to make VSAT license free,
>>>>> there
>>>>> >
>>>>> >is
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > another option. The option is to use the 70 Crores Ruppee that
>>has
>>>>> >
>>>>> >been
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > collected for Rural Communication Infrastructure Development
>>and
>>>>> >
>>>>> >build
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > relay towers across the country from the East to the West and
>>>>> North
>>>>> >
>>>>> >to
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > South with Internet/telephone connectivity. My rough guess is
>>that
>>>>> >
>>>>> >the
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > money will be enough to provide Internet services to 60% of
>>the
>>>>> >
>>>>> >rural
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > population. The givernment can learn this lesson from India,
>>where
>>>>> >
>>>>> >they
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > are building such towers in the mountainous region to bring
>>ICT
>>>>> >
>>>>> >inthe
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > rural areas.
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > 3. The government can choose both options as mentioned above.
>>In
>>>>> >
>>>>> >that
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > case
>>>>> > > > ICT will reach to the rural areas of Nepal in a few years of
>>time.
>>>>> >
>>>>> >The
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > people living in the remote areas do not have to wait decades
>>to
>>>>> >
>>>>> >taste
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > the
>>>>> > > > fruit of ICT and get benefits from it.
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > 4. When you talk about bringing ICT in the rural areas, please
>>>>> think
>>>>> >
>>>>> >it
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > broadly. Bringing ICT in the rural areas does not mean only
>>>>> bringing
>>>>> > > > Internet, telephone and computers in the villages. It also
>>mean
>>>>> >
>>>>> >bringing
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > > tele-medicine, tele-education, and local e-commerce services
>>in
>>>>> the
>>>>> > > > rural
>>>>> > > > areas and creating job opportunities in the villages.
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > Mahabir Pun
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > Dear all,
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >> I am meeting Vice chairman of National Planning Commission. I
>>>>> want
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > your
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >> suggestions in bullet what subsidy/facility/tax benifit you
>>>>> people
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > want to
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >> run/florish/expand business in rural Nepal.
>>>>> > > >> Have a nice eve.
>>>>> > > >> Biplav
>>>>> > > >> ---- Original Message -----
>>>>> > > >> From: "Kishor Panth" <kishor at lahai.com>
>>>>> > > >> To: "Discussion List for Nepal's IT/Telecom Policies"
>>>>> > > >> <itpolicy-np at lahai.com>
>>>>> > > >> Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 1:30 AM
>>>>> > > >> Subject: [Itpolicy-np] Defination of these terms
>>>>> > > >>
>>>>> > > >>> Hello all
>>>>> > > >>>                 We have been quite for a long time and I
>>think
>>>>> we
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > should
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >> start
>>>>> > > >>
>>>>> > > >>> some of the discussion.
>>>>> > > >>>
>>>>> > > >>> I would like ask all of you for the definition of the
>>following
>>>>> >
>>>>> >terms
>>>>> >
>>>>> > > >>> 1.> ISP
>>>>> > > >>> 2.> NSP
>>>>> > > >>> 3.> Data Network  Service Providers
>>>>> > > >>> 4.> VSAT Service Provider
>>>>> > > >>>
>>>>> > > >>>
>>>>> > > >>> Thankx
>>>>> > > >>>
>>>>> > > >>> --
>>>>> > > >>> -........-
>>>>> > > >>> kishor at lahai dot com
>>>>> > > >>> +977-9851053824
>>>>> > > >>> -.........-
>>>>> > > >>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> > > >>> Itpolicy-np mailing list
>>>>> > > >>> Itpolicy-np at lahai.com
>>>>> > > >>> https://lists.lahai.com/mailman/listinfo/itpolicy-np
>>>>> > > >>
>>>>> > > >> _______________________________________________
>>>>> > > >> Itpolicy-np mailing list
>>>>> > > >> Itpolicy-np at lahai.com
>>>>> > > >> https://lists.lahai.com/mailman/listinfo/itpolicy-np
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > _______________________________________________
>>>>> > > > Itpolicy-np mailing list
>>>>> > > > Itpolicy-np at lahai.com
>>>>> > > > https://lists.lahai.com/mailman/listinfo/itpolicy-np
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > >
>>>>> > > > _______________________________________________
>>>>> > > > Itpolicy-np mailing list
>>>>> > > > Itpolicy-np at lahai.com
>>>>> > > > https://lists.lahai.com/mailman/listinfo/itpolicy-np
>>>>> > >
>>>>> > >_______________________________________________
>>>>> > >Itpolicy-np mailing list
>>>>> > >Itpolicy-np at lahai.com
>>>>> > >https://lists.lahai.com/mailman/listinfo/itpolicy-np
>>>>> >
>>>>> >---------
>>>>> >Hami Nepali, Hamro Nepal, Jai hos Nepal !
>>>>> >(we are Nepalese, its our Nepal, Hail to Nepal)
>>>>> >
>>>>> >Pavan S Shakya
>>>>> >Director, Public Relations, WorldLink
>>>>> >President, ISP Association of Nepal
>>>>> >
>>>>> >Email : pavan at wlink.com.np
>>>>> >Phone : +977 1 5523050 Ext. 229
>>>>> >Fax : +977 1 5529403
>>>>> >H/P : +977 98510 27928
>>>>> >
>>>>> >_______________________________________________
>>>>> >Itpolicy-np mailing list
>>>>> >Itpolicy-np at lahai.com
>>>>> >https://lists.lahai.com/mailman/listinfo/itpolicy-np
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >_______________________________________________
>>>>> >Itpolicy-np mailing list
>>>>> >Itpolicy-np at lahai.com
>>>>> >https://lists.lahai.com/mailman/listinfo/itpolicy-np
>>>>>
>>>>> ---------
>>>>> Hami Nepali, Hamro Nepal, Jai hos Nepal !
>>>>> (we are Nepalese, its our Nepal, Hail to Nepal)
>>>>>
>>>>> Pavan S Shakya
>>>>> Director, Public Relations, WorldLink
>>>>> President, ISP Association of Nepal
>>>>>
>>>>> Email : pavan at wlink.com.np
>>>>> Phone : +977 1 5523050 Ext. 229
>>>>> Fax : +977 1 5529403
>>>>> H/P : +977 98510 27928
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Itpolicy-np mailing list
>>>>> Itpolicy-np at lahai.com
>>>>> https://lists.lahai.com/mailman/listinfo/itpolicy-np
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> -........-
>>>> kishor at lahai dot com
>>>> +977-9851053824
>>>> -.........-
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Itpolicy-np mailing list
>>>> Itpolicy-np at lahai.com
>>>> https://lists.lahai.com/mailman/listinfo/itpolicy-np
>>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
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>>>
>>>
>>
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>>
>
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