Kathmandu. Internet Service Providers Association (ISPAN) Nepal, an umbrella organization of Internet Service Providers, has filed a petition

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ISPs have decided to discontinue their low-speed packages today.

In recent years, rising prices, soaring fuel prices due to tensions in the Middle East, skyrocketing fibre prices, high inflation, and the sudden increase in the prices of electronics and chipsets due to the rapid growth of AI have increased the operating costs of Internet Service Providers.

The association has said that the ISPs have been unable to provide low-speed packages at reasonable prices since Monday due to the increase in costs.

Due to the increasing cost, it is becoming difficult to provide internet service at the existing cheap price.

NGH’s President Sudhir Parajuli said that there has been a remarkable progress in the internet access and influence of Nepal in the last 12 years.

According to him, Nepal ranks first in South Asia in terms of density and penetration of fixed broadband and internet is one of the cheapest in the world.

According to the association, internet service providers have been providing easy and accessible internet packages.

According to the association, ISPs have been providing essential internet services even during various disasters ranging from the coronavirus pandemic to floods in Bhotekoshi.

The association has also directed all internet service providers to fulfill the dream of Digital Nepal by providing better quality services. In addition, ISPs have been urged to keep the charges clearly visible on their websites as per the rates approved by the Nepal Telecommunication Authority.

ISPAN has also requested customers to mandatorily collect VAT bills. This will make the details of the actual charges and taxes of the internet service clear to the customers, the association said.