Research article on IT in Nepal

Development of Information Technology in Nepal

Bibek Adhikari, Department of Computer Engineering

Abstract

Information technology (IT) has become a key sector of Nepal's economy. This article traces the development of IT in the country, from the first computer in the 1970s to today's digital services, and discusses its achievements and challenges. The study is based on published reports and articles. It finds good growth in connectivity, software services and digital payments, but also a digital divide, a shortage of skilled workers and cyber security risks. It suggests policies to make IT a driving force of national development.

Keywords: information technology, Nepal, internet, e-governance, software industry

Introduction

Information technology means the use of computers, networks and software to handle information. In the modern world, it supports the economy, government, education and health. For Nepal, a landlocked and mountainous country, IT is especially valuable because it helps to overcome the barriers of distance.

History and growth

• 1970s-1980s: The first computer, an IBM 1401, was brought in for the 1971 census. The Electronic Data Processing Centre, later the National Computer Centre, was set up in 1974, and personal computers spread in the 1980s.
• 1990s: Internet service started in 1994-95, and private firms began software and training services. The Telecommunications Act (1997) created the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (1998), and mobile phone service began in 1999.
• 2000s: The IT Policy (2000) and the Electronic Transactions Act (2008) were introduced, private mobile operators expanded telephony across the country, and outsourcing companies grew.
• 2010s-present: 3G, 4G and fibre networks, digital wallets, online banking, e-learning and e-governance (such as the national ID and online tax) have spread rapidly, and the use of social media and e-commerce is widespread.

Achievements

1. Mobile phone and internet use now reaches the majority of the population; NTA reports show that mobile subscriptions exceed the population because many people use more than one SIM, and internet use is widespread.
2. Digital payment platforms have made transactions easy for millions of people.
3. A growing number of IT firms and start-ups provide software and services to the world.
4. Government services are gradually moving online.
5. IT education has expanded, with hundreds of colleges.

Challenges

• A digital divide between urban and remote areas.
• A shortage of skilled workers, and brain drain.
• Cyber crime and weak data protection.
• Limited research and dependence on imported technology.
• Unreliable power supply and high costs in remote areas.

Conclusion

IT in Nepal has progressed significantly in the past three decades, but its full potential is yet to be reached. With investment in infrastructure and skills, a strong cyber law and support for local innovation, IT can become a major source of income, jobs and good governance.

References

• Nepal Telecommunications Authority. (n.d.). Management information system (MIS) report. https://nta.gov.np
• Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. (2019). Digital Nepal framework. Government of Nepal.