Rebecca Hunter, director of American satellite internet company Starlink, has mentioned in a meeting with Communications Minister Bikram Timilsina that there are policy difficulties in operating internet services in Nepal.
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Satellite-based internet service provider Starlink has expressed its desire to expand its services in Nepal. On Monday, the company's director Rebecca Hunter said in a meeting with Information and Communications Minister Vikram Timilsina that she wanted to obtain permission to operate internet services in Nepal. Earlier, the company's founder and the world's richest billionaire Elon Musk himself had told the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli that he had a great desire to see Starlink's 'high-speed' internet running on the world's highest peak, Mount Everest.
Musk had specifically requested that the policy and practical obstacles in Nepal for Starlink be removed. Hunter, who has recently returned to Nepal, reiterated the same issue with Communications Minister Timilsina. Starlink has been insisting on 100 percent ownership of the telecommunications license. Hunter complained that she could not get permission due to some existing policy and legal complications in Nepal. She informed that they are also discussing business partnerships with some service providers in Nepal. The ministry stated that
Minister of Communications Timilsina responded that there would be no obstacles to come in accordance with Nepal's existing laws and legal procedures. On Monday, US Deputy Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah B. Rogers also paid a courtesy call on Minister Timilsina. The ministry stated in a statement that she suggested creating an investment-friendly environment in Nepal's information technology and telecommunications sector. She believed that such an environment could attract investment from the US private sector. 'He stressed the need to protect internet freedom and manage challenges in digital media, and said that cooperation could be achieved in controlling online fraud, the spread of pornography and child-sensitive material,' the ministry stated.
Minister Timilsina informed that policy reforms to attract foreign investment in sectors including digital infrastructure, information technology and telecommunications are a priority for the government. The ministry said that during the meeting, discussions were held on issues such as protecting internet freedom and creating a responsible and accountable digital environment.
Starlink's Hunter had earlier come to Kathmandu in December 2008 and presented a 'demo' about Starlink's workings to the then Prime Minister Sharma and the then Minister of Communications Prithvisubba Gurung. At that time, Oli had said that the new technology would be welcomed with a red carpet but a decision would be taken only after an internal study.
According to the provisions of the Telecommunications Act 2053, only a maximum of 80 percent foreign investment can be made in internet services. There is a provision that a local partner must be present for the remaining 20 percent investment. Starlink has been complaining about the investment limit and ownership.
Starlink has already expanded its services in neighboring countries Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. India has granted a commercial license for 5 years. Starlink is trying to operate its service in Nepal. The map on Starlink's website shows Nepal's status as 'Service Date is Unknown'.
