They opined that persisting problems in rural areas like poverty, famine and illiteracy can be addressed by properly using opportunities that ICT brings.[break]
Speaking at a program organized to mark World Telecommunication and Information Society Day here on Tuesday, Chairperson of Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) Bhesh Raj Kanel said better life in rural areas can be assured only by increasing access of rural folks to technology.
“Government intervention is a must to make benefits of ICTs available across the country. Issues like expansion of optical fiber networks and spectrum management are not possible without government´s direct intervention,” he added.
Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) organized the program with support of Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), Nepal Telecom (NT) and Society of Electronics and Communications Engineers Nepal (SETEA).
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is observed every year on May 17 to commemorate the signing of the International Telegraph Convention and the establishment of International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The theme for this year´s celebration was ´Better life in rural communities with ICTs´.
Presenting his working paper, NTA director Ananda Raj Khanal said ICT can be used as a key instrument to address various problems in rural areas and provide facilities like health care, safe drinking water and sanitation.
“Role of ICT is not limited to just communication or voice service. It should be used as a tool for income generation and to boost trade and commerce," he added.
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