The history of ISPs coincides with the beginning of CAN InfoTech that dates back to 1995. It was the same year when Mercantile Communications was registered as the first ISP of the country. [break]
Although it took nearly four years for Internet to gain popularity, the cost of Internet services gradually fell with more private companies entering the business.
The growth of Internet users has been more than 11-fold in a decade.
The Internet penetration as per the data of Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has crossed 14 percent by the end of last fiscal year, meaning 3.75 million Internet users are there in the country.
Despite deepening Internet penetration, which has reached beyond 14 percent, the number of mobile Internet users tops the chart and ISPs share less than 2 percent of the total market share. The number of GPRS users is more than 91 percent and the subscribers base of ISPs is limited to 61,500.
Nevertheless, ISPs are also trying to attract more subscribers introducing faster technology at cheaper rates.
IP Telephony is also other major focus area of ISPs.
ADSL service is another popular product, which is mostly preferred in households. Nepal Telecom (NT), which is the only operator to offer this service, has a subscribers base of 76,740, followed by lately introduced wireless service, whose subscribers base is 30,397 as of mid-December 2011.
NT’s ADSL service is available in volume-based and unlimited packages. The unlimited package of 192 kbps and 384 kbps costs Rs 900 and Rs 1,500 respectively. The volume-based package starts from Rs 1,980.
Similarly, Ncell Connect, which is a 3G product from Ncell, offers up to 3.6 mbps. The cost of 500 MB is Rs 399 plus taxes and the cost of the largest package of 20 GB is Rs 3,999 plus taxes.
Broadlink - largest ISP in wireless service - was able to add 18,500 customers in a year. The service provider offers unlimited package of 256 kbps at Rs 899 per month.
President of CAN Suresh K. Karna said the growth in the number of ISPs is a major achievement of the event. “The product has reached home and now they require Internet connection,” he said adding that which have opened a big business avenue for ISPs.
ISPs participating at the event are focusing more on fiber optics and wireless technologies.
Classic Tech is offering CT Wi-Fi Basic with speed of 192 kbps for Rs 500 per month and CT Wi-Fi plus with 384 kbps at Rs 1,000. Pramesh Kharel, CEO of the company, said they are also introducing AirMax technology in wirelss services.
AirMax allows the operator to provide better reliability and longer range than any other technology currently available.
Websurfer is targeting home users with wireless DSL. Suman Lal Pradhan, CEO of the company, said they are waiving the installation charge as its offer for the event.
Websurfer offers night package with the speed of 512 kbps at Rs 500 per month and whole day package with speed of 192 kbps at Rs 900 per month.
Similarly, Subisu Cable Net is offering free installation worth Rs 500, cable worthing Rs 3,000, free subscription for 60 days or free wireless router for the advance payment of one year.
Other ISPs participating in the event includes Netmax, Cherry World Communication, Vianet Communications, Radius Communications and others.
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