KATHMANDU —  The Nepal Telecommunication Authority has instructed the internet service providers to get mandatory approval of the fees charged from the customers.

This instruction issued by the Economic Analysis Branch of the Authority on 20th Bhadra, comes in response to recent concerns about arbitrary pricing practices by service providers.

According to Section 42 of the Telecommunication Act, 2053, and the conditions outlined in their licenses, all telecommunication service fees must receive prior approval from the NTA. The authority's latest circular emphasizes that this measure is crucial following complaints that service providers have been imposing unapproved and arbitrary fees.

The NTA has expressed its concern over the failure of some providers to adhere to the established approval process, leading to inconsistent and unauthorized charges. The authority has issued a notice requiring service providers to seek formal approval for tariff rates and publish service notifications accordingly.

The notice highlights a growing issue where some internet service providers have neglected to post approved service notices on various platforms, including social networks, newspapers, and their own websites. This lack of compliance has prompted the NTA to take a firm stance on the matter.

Additionally, the authority has observed that recent festival-related internet package offers introduced by some providers were not approved, further aggravating the situation. The NTA has reminded providers of the legal requirements for tariff approvals and urged them to adhere to the established procedures to ensure transparency and fairness in pricing.

The NTA's move aims to safeguard consumer interests and ensure that internet service fees are regulated in accordance with legal standards, preventing any arbitrary pricing practices in the telecommunications sector.