ISAP wants ICT sector regulator

Kathmandu, 26 June(Dainikee)

Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector needs a regulatory body. Though there is an electronic regulatory act for the Internet Protocol (IP) sector, for proper authentication it is in need of a regulatory body.
In the absence of a regulatory body for IPs, electronic services are prone to the chances of Internet hacking and Internet virus. Also, there is no body to regulate website page content that can violate social harmony.
According to Internet Service Providers’ Association of Nepal (ISAP) president Pavan Singh Shakya, there is no regulation regarding content in web pages. While one cannot regulate the freedom of expression of people, the unwanted content in the pages should be regulated to avoid violation of social harmony.
“IP services and operations are regulated by NTA but as far as the website content is concerned there is no policy for it,” said Shakya adding that there must be an authorised regulatory body to monitor such content to secure social harmony without affecting the freedom of expression of the people. Shakya said currently there are about three lakh Internet users but the number is increasing and Internet value addition services along with proper plans and policy are needed.
With the IP-based network and services, the overall market for communication services has radically changed. In the process of changing from the former vertically integrated structure, where most services and facilities were licensed and provided together, to a horizontally structured market consisting of distinct sub-markets for network infrastructure capacity, network management, communication services and information services, entry has been facilitated and chances for increased participation of new players have arisen.
With swift enlargement of technology and lack of regulatory body, the IT sector is observing conflicting interests emerging as the major problem. Use of IP based networks provides voice and video telephony but there is no regulatory body to provide authentication of these.
(THT)

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