History of Internet In Nepal
What is Internet?
In simple terms, Internet is a system of connected computers all over the globe. Internet is a network where many computers from all around the globe exchange information from one to another. Internet helps to pass information and receive it. Over the years, internet has become very important to humans and life without it without a doubt is almost impossible. But before this massive globalization, internet too was not well developed and limited to only government officials.
The history of Internet started way back in the 1960s as means of information exchange for government researchers. The technology was primitive an to access information stored in any one computer, one had to either travel to the machine’s location or have magnetic computer tapes delivered via the postal system.
The cold war between Soviet Union and U.S is also another reason for development of internet. This war lead to the formation of the ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) and the network that evolved into what we now know as the Internet. We will learn about History of Internet in Nepal.
History of Internet In Nepal
Internet came to be around 1983 but in Nepal, internet was available only in 1994. Mercantile began it’s service in partnership with the Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology in Nepal. The system had limited capacity and could only exchange emails. In 1994, Mercantile marketed the service with a link to Australia. It continued to offer e-mail service. The internet would link online with its dial up technology, allowing message exchange. However the system was low in quality.
Nepal’s Internet Service Provider
Worldlink became Nepal’s first private internet service provider in 1995. Whatever Mercantile did, Worldlink did but better. It provided services that Mercantile did but cheaper and became more popular among the public. Since the technology was not that developed, the internet relied on telephone connections. Its modem emitted noise and had a poor internet data speed of just 56 Kbps. The internet only worked as long as no one was using the telephone. If someone was talking on the telephone, the internet would disconnect. Subscribers to these services were charged on a per-minute basis. Even still, the internet access to common people were still rare.
Nepal’s First Telecommunications Act
Nepal’s first telecommunication act was in 1997 under the monarch. It’s main aim was to make the telecommunications service reliable and easily available to the public, involve private sector as well. The act gave opportunities for other ISPs to be established and provide internet services. Previously, the internet consisted of email services delivered through a phone connection. However, with the new license structure, ISPs began to use VSAT technology.
The advancements in technology made email services become more affordable, and more individuals became customers. They were, however, well-to-do students who utilized the service to remain in touch with pals overseas. However, the trend had begun. Following that, more businesses began offering e-mail and internet services.
The Beginning of a New Era
Worldlink started its wireless internet service in 2003 A.D. The internet had a speed of almost 256 KB/S which was a milestone for private sector in internet history in Nepal. This was a very significant upgrade in the technology.
Soon, another ISP Subisu Launched in Nepal. The ISP provided cable internet service in 2004.
Subisu and Worldlink became well known in the internet market. With their services, Nepal saw a considerable rise in the internet usage. The internet was becoming into a consumer service. Although still confined to a few, the internet was becoming the talk of the youthful demographic.
Cyber cafes rose in popularity in the 1990s for mail and chat services. Yahoo messenger, MSN messenger, hi5, and other similar services were immensely popular at the time because they provided a platform for young people to communicate and connect online. While these internet users may communicate with loved ones in other countries However, wifi and cable internet were only available in cities. As a result, folks in rural regions were still excluded from the wonders of the internet in metropolitan areas.
An Internet Hero For Nepal
The above person is Mahabir Pun. Mahabir pun is a well renowned personality in Nepal for his contributions in the field of technology. After finishing his studies, he began a project called “Nepal Wireless Networking” to introduce internet to people of rural areas. He traveled to many remote areas of Nepal to establish Internet access.
Because of conflict between Maoist insurgents and government troops in Nepal, the government restricted the importing and use of wireless technology. Despite such obstacles, Pun was able to connect 13 mountain communities to a Wi-Fi network and the Internet by 2006. He has now expanded the network and services to over 175 distant villages across 15 districts in Nepal. The Internet is now used in those communities for e-learning, e-healthcare, local e-commerce, community conversations, money transfers, and weather monitoring.
Pun received the Ramon Magsaysay Award from the Philippines for his contributions in Nepal in 2007. He has also received multiple awards in Nepal.
Start of a Golden Age
In 2008, NTC launched its ADSL service. ADSL provided an internet access which was cheaper and had more coverage around the country. Private ISPs had less coverage than NTC did and with ADSL, internet users just started to spread and grow in numbers. Cybercafes became very popular where people would go to access the internet.
The introduction of ADSL, wireless internet, and the 3G mobile network changed Nepal’s internet. The number of internet users increased at an unprecedented rate. According to NTA, just 1% of the whole population had internet connection in 2006. This increased to 11% in 2011. This was due to both fixed-line and mobile broadband, as well as 3G and ADSL internet, which ushered in the rise of the internet in the country.
Since 2011 A.D., the GPRS (2G) service has been upgraded to 3G, which boosted the Internet speed. Vianet launched Fiber optic Internet in Nepal the same year. Since then, the number of Internet users has increased dramatically. 4G service was also offered in Nepal in 2017 A.D. According to the 2011 Census A.D., 9 percent of Nepal’s total population have access to Internet Service. However, according to NTA (2017 A.D report), 16.67 million individuals in Nepal have Internet connection, accounting for around 63 percent of the entire population. This showed how much rapidly internet services were being popular.
As of July 2021, 90.56% of the population has access to the Internet according to Nepal Telecommunications Authority.
Rise of Internet Based Entertainment
With the advancement of internet, we saw the rise of internet based media. Entertainment services such as movies and gaming became much more popular. Internet gave rise to huge industries with big markets. From music to communication, internet presence has reached everyone.
In Nepal too, there has been a sharp rise in the use of Internet for entertainment purposes. This includes watching videos through apps like YouTube, online gaming where you are connected with multiple people all over the globe and listening to music from musicians and singers. Nepalese people have also found job opportunities through internet by providing services or entertainment to their fans and followers. Having internet presence has also become very important. It has never been easier to connect with people.
Internet is one of the best gifts of technology. Internet has made our lives so much easier and convenient. In Nepal too, we rely on internet very much, wether to catch up with you friends, make new ones, play games, listen music, shop or anything on a smartphone. It is never a bad idea to look back on where we started and how far we have come with the History of internet in Nepal. We should utilize the gifts of science to our best advantage.