Discussions on digital convergence, radio communication etc
Representatives of 38 countries have gathered in Kathmandu for the meeting of 'Asia Pacific Telecommunication Community' (APT), an intergovernmental body focused on the development of communication, information and latest technology in the Asia Pacific region. APT's 34th Wireless Group (AWG-34) meeting has started in Kathmandu from Monday.
It is mentioned in the agenda of APT that in the meeting organized under the hospitality of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of Nepal and the Nepal Telecommunication Authority, the discussion is focused on aspects such as digital convergence, radio communication, technology transfer. Masnori Kondo, Secretary General of APT said in the opening session that 400 people will participate in the meeting virtually and in person and more than 200 participants in Kathmandu alone.
Secretary-General Kondo said that various aspects of wireless systems related to the digital age will be discussed at the meeting, which will last until April 4. The meeting will review existing agendas, review progress and propose new agendas. "The meeting will discuss the coordination between the regional communication and information system and its multifaceted effects," he said, "so far APT has prepared 12 suggestions and 184 reports." In this, topics such as spectrum harmonization have been put in the center.'
Communication and Information Technology Minister Prithvisubba Gurung expressed the opinion that AWG is guiding member countries, regulatory bodies and service providers in the Asia Pacific region to benefit from wireless technology. He says that wireless technology is an important communication facility for a geographically complex country like Nepal.
'We are now preparing for AI policy, policy initiatives like Digital Nepal Framework 2.0 and 5G service in major cities of the country,' Minister Gurung said, 'The target is to connect all municipalities with broadband internet by the end of the next financial year. Our aim is to develop the IT sector as an industry. Radhika Aryal, the secretary of the ministry, mentioned that technological development is essential for the development of the digital economy. He says that there is a delay in the implementation of 5G in Nepal.
Nepal Telecommunication Authority Chairman Bhupendra Bhandari said that spectrum management, new technologies such as 5G-6G and ways to address the digital divide will be discussed in the meeting of APT Wireless Group. He said that mobile phone penetration in Nepal has reached 100 percent, mobile broadband is 89 percent, fixed broadband is 46 percent and 4G service is 86 percent.
