ISPs in Nepal Quietly Raise Prices of Their Base Internet Plans

Internet service providers (ISPs) in Nepal are silently increasing the prices of their base internet plans.

This suggests that ISPs have collectively decided to put an end to the internet price war that started following the introduction of CG Net in 2021.

With this, WiFi Nepal, widely touted as Nepal’s most affordable internet provider, has raised the prices of all its internet packages.

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Likewise, CG Net, the ISP that initiated the speed and price rivalry among ISPs in Nepal, has also raised its internet prices and discontinued the availability of its base internet packages offering speeds of 50Mbps (Rs. 649 per month), 75Mbps (Rs. 730 per month), and 130Mbps (Rs. 799 per month).

Its current most affordable internet plan is the Sprinter, which provides speeds of 150Mbps at a cost of Rs. 1,050 per month.

Similarly, DishHome, a home TV service provider and ISP in Nepal, has also raised the prices of its base internet packages. Previously, the annual cost for existing users began at Rs. 6,180 for the 75Mbps plan, but now it stands at Rs. 9,630.

In a similar fashion, Vianet, another well-known ISP in Nepal, has also discontinued its 75Mbps internet plan. Currently, their lowest-priced internet option is the 200Mbps plan, priced at Rs. 1,300 per month.

Likewise, Worldlink’s cheapest internet plan is the 200Mbps plan, which costs Rs. 1,300 per month. Meanwhile, Classic Tech’s lowest-tier option is a 150Mbps plan, available for Rs. 1,422 per month.

NTA Urges ISPs not to charge more than the approved tariff rate

Regarding the sudden price hike from the majority of ISPs in Nepal, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) issued a notice on May 15, 2023. The notice urges ISPs not to charge more than the approved tariff rate and warns of consequences for non-compliance.

Furthermore, the notice mentioned that internet service providers’ intention to raise the fees/tariffs for internet services in a mutual agreement is against the Telecommunications Act, 2053 (1997) and the Competition Promotion and Market Protection Act, 2063 (2007).

Additionally, the NTA emphasizes that licensed telecommunication service providers must obtain approval from the authority and publish a notice to customers and the general public regarding the implementation of fees and tariffs for the services they offer. This notice should explicitly mention the date of approval for the fees and tariffs set by the authority.