Better Telecom services between Nepal

Kathmandu, May 10 (UNI) Telecom services between Nepal and India would now become more qualitative and reliable, thanks to an agreement on Optical Fiber Network reached between Nepal Telecom and Reliance Communications, India, Nepal Telecom said.

The establishment of the network through the Biratnagar-Jogabani route is in the final stages.

''With the installation of fiber circuits already completed at the respective borders, the final linking would now be done following the signing of the agreement today,'' press release issued by the Nepal Telecom, said.

''The agreement would help provide cost-effective telecom services and also add new services like home country direct and content services while helping to promote the growth of internet services'', Nepal Telecom Managing Director, Sugat Ratna Kansakar, said.

The OFC link is also expected to open avenues to utilise it for establishing direct interconnection with other foreign telecom companies.

The new service is expected to begin next month with the cost being borne by the respective countries.

Managing Director Kansakar and Narinder Sharma on behalf of Reliance Communications signed the agreement here today.

The establishment of North-South Optical Fiber Network is also underway between Kathmandu and Khasa (China) with the cooperation of the Chinese government , according to Nepal Telecom. After its successful commissioning, the government's goal to develop Nepal as the 'transit point' in telecom sector by providing interconnectivity between telecom companies of the two giant neighbouring countries, India and China, would be realised.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Communications, Nepal Bahadur Mahara has urged the donor communities to help in community tele-centres to be established in the rural areas to raise the living standards of the people.

''Rural people could bring change in their economic conditions by utilising the e-centres aimed at enhancing their access to the Internet and informing them about socio-economic activities,'' Mr Mahara, said.

Once the Maoists were involved in the destruction of rural development infrastructure but now they have started to call for international cooperation for the same purpose.

Mahara represents CPN, Maoists in the interim cabinet.

UNI