1. Nepal in Internet Map Presented By: Sushil Upreti IT Department Russian Center of Science & Culture Internet Day in Russia 29 th September 2008

2. Recent Internet Facts & Statistics Top 5 countries for internet users: 1)USA 2)China 3)Japan 4)Germany 5)India

3. Recent Internet Facts & Statistics  The prime activity on the internet today is: consumers gathering purchase information. (US Dept of Commerce)  Cisco Systems Inc. is today the world's largest Internet commerce site, selling more than $ 32 million in products every day. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)

4. Recent Internet Facts & Statistics  Number of years each took to reach 50 million users: Radio - 38 years TV - 13 years Internet - 4 years  Over 82 percent of college graduates will search for careers and employment information online.

5. Recent Internet Facts & Statistics  17,000 website domains a day are being added to the Internet.  An estimated 2.8 percent of the world's population is currently online.  Currently, the most visited websites on the Web are: Google, Yahoo, AOL, MSN.

6. History of Internet in Nepal  Mr. Satish Kharel, a renowned Lawyer connected to an email server in Japan using packet radio (1992).  Some INGOs dialed to email servers in Europe for email services (1993).  Researchers at RONAST dialed to ERNet in India for email connection. Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists also used this service (1993). The e-mail pioneers:

7. History of Internet in Nepal Mercantile Office Systems www.mos.com.np  The first ISP to be established Nepal, which started commercial email services for the public from June 1994.  It started full online access to Internet from July 1995. First public use of services:

8. History of Internet in Nepal  Establishment of first ISP in June 1994.  Formulation of the Telecommunications Act in January 1997.  Formulation of IT Policy 2000.  National Information Technology Center (NICT) formed as ICT implementation body.  Start of Wireless Internet Service (64kbps+) 2003.  High Level Commission for Information Technology (HLCIT) established.  Formulation of New Telecommunications Policy 2004.  Registration of Cable Internet Service Providers 2004.  Electronic Transaction and Digital Signature Act 2004.  ADSL Technology introduced in 2008. Major Milestones:

9. Nepal in Internet Map Country Domain:.np.np Domain registration is facilitated by Mercantile Office Systems since its establishment at free of cost.

10. Nepal in Internet Map Present Status:  Total ISPs = 35  Internet users = 4 Lakhs (Approx.)  Total.np domain registrations = 14733 (Till 28 th Sept. 2008)  VSAT network providers = 12 (till 14 Jan. 2008)  VSAT service users = 124 (till 14 Jan. 2008)  Fiber Connectivity to the Internet = 1

11. Nepal in Internet Map Growth of ISPs: Year Till 1999 200020012002200320042005200620072008Total License Cancelled Existing ISPs9423266733451035 Data from NTA January 2008

12. Nepal in Internet Map Internet Users Distrubution:

13. Present Hot Topics: Cyber Cafes  Cyber Cafes are very popular for borrowing Internet especially for the youth.  Cost of browsing per hour – NRs. 10 -15  More that 2000 cyber cafes expected to be operating throughout Nepal.  Around 50% of them are in Kathmandu Valley  Most of the cyber cafes in Kathmandu valley now use 64/128 Kbps wireless modems.  One Cyber Café was opened even in Everest Base Camp (2003). Nepal in Internet Map

14. Present Hot Topics: e-Banking  Few commercial banks in Nepal offer e-banking services including Laxmi Bank, Nepal Investment Bank etc.  Account holders can perform banking operations through the banks’ website.  International transaction is also available.  SMS banking service has also been introduced. Nepal in Internet Map

15. Present Hot Topics: e-Commerce  Several e-commerce websites are in operation, but based outside Nepal where credit cared verification services are available.  Credit Card transfers and transfers from e-banking websites accepted.  muncha.com, thamelmall.com, bitarak.com are the most popular e-commerce sites in Nepal.  Frequent users are Nepalese residing abroad. Nepal in Internet Map

16. Present Hot Topics:  Many websites are operated in Nepali Language  e-Governance  Rural Wireless Internet  Telecenters Setup  Telemedicine Facilities Nepal in Internet Map

17. Present Hot Topics: Nepal in Internet Map Kantipur Daily – 12 Sept. 2008

18. Present Hot Topics: Nepal in Internet Map Naya Patrika Daily – 16 Sept. 2008

19. Future of Internet:  Nepal-wide optic fiber backbone being laid from East to West; expected to lower dial-up prices.  Wireless connections are also gaining popularity – 802.11b.  Internet users expected to grow by 35% each year.  NTC is now providing ADSL connections but needs some improvements.  4 Universities have an annual intake capacity of 4000 students for different ICT-related programs at Bachelors and Masters Levels. Nepal in Internet Map

20. Hindrances to Growth of Internet:  Present situation of instability.  Government policies not implemented, unstable governments.  Vital telecom infrastructures being destroyed.  Need for more telecom and energy infrastructure.  Language Barrier.  Affordability – GNI per capita is only $ 295 (2007 statistics) Nepal in Internet Map

21. Thank you