The cross-border optical fiber network between Nepal and China established a year ago may come into operation from the first week of June, said Nepal Telecom Saturday, the state-owned telecom giant of Nepal.
The connectivity established for the first time between the two neighbors through Geelong-Rasuwgadhi border point, has ended Nepal's sole dependence on India for connecting the Himalayan country with global telecom and internet services.
Nepal Telecom (NT) and China Telecom Corporation Limited had established the connectivity in June last year but operation was delayed due to landslide in China damaging the underground optical fibers.
"China Telecom has informed us that they are completing the repairing and rerouting of damaged optical fiber within May," Sovan Adhikari, joint spokesperson of NT told Xinhua on Saturday. "We have been in constant communication with the Chinese company."
Following the connection with Chinese optical fiber, Nepal will be able to purchase internet bandwidth with Chinese companies.
"This will create a competitive environment for purchasing internet services which could reduce cost of internet service here," said Adhikari.
Meanwhile, the NT said it has signed initial memorandum of understanding with China Unicom, another Chinese telecom operator, for further cross-border optical fiber connectivity.
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-05/27/c_136321051.htm