Nepal Internet Governance Forum 2018 kicks off, themed Making Internet accessible, affordable and safe

#NepalIGF2018 – 2018 edition of Nepal Internet Governance Forum with theme Making Internet accessible, affordable and safe kicks off here in Kathmandu. This Multi-stakeholders platform that was formed to discuss and identify issues and priorities, and ultimately contributes towards the advancement of Internet in Nepal has been organizing IGF sessions regularly to reflect the current status of Internet governance in Nepal.

The Nepal IGF 2018, is organized by the Multi-stakeholder Group (MSG) and steered by the Program Committee and jointly hosted by the Internet Society Nepal (ISOC Nepal) and Internet Governance Institute (IGI) with a 2-day event on November 02-03, 2018 with the theme of“Making Internet accessible, affordable and safe”. It lobbies on the key possibilities of multi stakeholder environment with the value to create better environment of collaboration and communication for accessible, affordable and safe Internet.

Nepal Internet Governance Forum 2018 (NepalIGF2018) has multiple sub-themes to reflect the main theme “Making Internet accessible, affordable and safe in Nepal”. The sub-theme to organize the workshops at Nepal IGF 2018 are:

1. Multi Stakeholder Model and Governance
   
   

   

   Governance of internet is of primary concern to all the stakeholders and each of the stakeholders have important role to make the internet affordable, accessible and safe. Under this sub-theme issues including evolution of Internet governance, current status of internet governance in Nepal, Name and Numbers, ISOC and ICANN Collaboration, Challenges of multi stakeholder model and citizens participation can be discussed.

2. Inclusion and Human Rights
   The full potential of the socio-economic benefits that internet and internet mediated technologies enable can only be realized if access to internet infrastructure and content is accessible to all. Issues relating to human rights such as freedom of expression, right to privacy, data protection and issues relating digital divide, gendered internet, access to people with disability, youth, people with different gender identities and sexual orientation etc will be discussed under this sub-theme. These issues are the public policy issue which need collaboration and multi stakeholder approach towards driving the internet ecosystem ensuring equality and diversity.

3. Emerging Technologies
   New and emerging technologies are an important aspects of internet governance. The scope and status of new technologies and issues such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Internet of Things, Internet of Everything, SDN (Software define network) etc., will be discussed under this sub-theme.

4. Access, Infrastructure and Affordability
   Accessibility and Affordability of internet is closely related to infrastructure available in country. Issue of access becomes more important in a landlocked and mountainous country like Nepal with difficult geographical terrain. Further, issue of affordability is multidimensional and interrelated with income, gender, youth, private sector, tax regime and quality of service, which will be discussed under this sub-theme.

5. Security, Trust ‎and Privacy
   As the internet is growing the issues of security, trust and privacy has come upfront not just as basic right but has been challenging the overall concept of internet core values.  Furthermore, the evolution of technology has created a gap where these issues has been vulnerable and prioritized for their roles and responsibilities. Privacy and security concerns over internet has increased over the years along with rapid technological developments, use of surveillance by the formal mechanisms and agencies as well as corporations. In a world where data is a new oil internet citizens concern about safe, secure and protected online and issues relating to Cyber security, online safety is what Nepal IGF will discuss under this sub-theme.

6. Media and Local Content
   In context of internet, media and local content plays an important role. One of the major way to regulate internet is regulation of internet content. Governments around the globe has used content regulation to regulate the internet. Further, online media has transformed the way we consume and produce news and information; along with proliferation of fake news and misinformation in the media ecosystem. Lack of content in accessible language has kept large section of citizenry offline and sustained and enlarged the gap aimed to bridge.  Further, over dominance of foreign content and language has created a sense of discrimination where native and local content has been a voice. In this context issues relating to social media, fake Information and disinformation, local content etc will be discussed under this sub-theme.

7. Law and Policy
   Legal landscape of Nepal relating to internet and internet content has been changing. Nepal has recently enacted the Civil and Criminal Code and the parliament has passed the Individual privacy bill. Further, Nepal government has been working on Information Technology Bill. Online Media Directive is another instrument which regulates the content on internet. In this context, Nepal IGF will discuss the issues relating to laws and policies under this sub-theme.

8. Others
   Other issues relating to internet governance such as economic opportunities using Internet, Creative Digital Economics, Internet and SDGs, Internet and Environment, Technical and Operational Topics can also be discussed in Nepal IGF 2018.

Nepal IGF 2018 Sessions include (session, sub-theme):

Session Name	Session ID	Time Allocated (min)	Sub- Theme	Session- Format	Contact Person
Infrastructure of the Internet and its Access	WS-012	60	Access, Infrastructure and Affordability	Panel Discussion	Dr. Bhoj Raj Ghimire
A Leap Towards Cyber Security	WS-025	60	Security, Trust ‎and Privacy	Panel Discussion	Narayan Koirala
Participation of Youth in the Regional and Global IG platforms	WS-021	60	Multi Stakeholder Model and Governance	Panel Discussion	Dikchya Raut
Smart Palika – Transforming into Digital Governance	WS-010	60	Multi Stakeholder Model and Governance	Workshop	Manoj Bhattarai
Safer Internet for Children and Young People	WS-013		Security, Trust ‎and Privacy	Panel Discussion	Anil Raghuvanshi
Cyber Security Alliance for Security Resilience	WS-022	30	Multi Stakeholder Model and Governance	Open Forum	Chiranjibi Adhikari
Access and Digital Economy	WS-011	45	Access, Infrastructure and Affordability	Panel Discussion	Suvash Khadka
Emerging ICT Solutions for Disaster Management and Development	WS-007	60	Access, Infrastructure and Affordability	Workshop	Ashirwad Tripathy
Creating persona and creating safe space	WS-019	45	Inclusion and Human Rights	Workshop	Aditi Rai
Making internet governance spaces inclusive for women and queer individuals	WS-005	60	Inclusion and Human Rights	Roundtable	Shubha Kayastha
Inclusive ICT for Persons With Disability	WS-001	90	Access, Infrastructure and Affordability	Panel	Salina Chapagain
Using Internet for Empowerment	WS-020	45	Youth	Panel Discussion	Shiwa Karmacharya
What is happening in digital signature ?	WS-006	30	Security, Trust ‎and Privacy	Open Forum	Biplav Man Singh
Connecting Next Billion through the promotion of e-commerce in Nepal	WS-015	60	Access, Infrastructure and Affordability	Open Forum	Bikram Shrestha
AI on Making Internet Accessible, Affordable and Safe	WS-008	60	Emerging Technologies	Panel Discussion	Prashant Thakur
AI and Future Issues in Nepal	WS-017				Udeep Baral
How Art Can Be Used to Explore and Address Online GBV	WS-002	15	Inclusion and Human Rights	Conversation	Sukirti Manandhar
Secured(ing) IoT Infrastructure for Smart Cities of Nepal	WS-018	45	Emerging Technologies	Panel Discussion	Rabiraj Khadka
Fake News and Social Media	WS-004	60	Media and Local Content	Panel Discussion	Sahaj Man Shrestha
Multi-stakeholder Model of Internet Governance Forum and Issues of Developing Countries	WS-016	60	Multi Stakeholder Model and Governance	Panel Discussion	Santosh Sigdel
BlockChain

 

Live blogging at Nepal IGF 2018

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Speakers focus on:
We don’t need a rapid jump but a sustainable and adoptable jump.
Disruptive technologies
Technology transformed into productive energy
no Governance without eGovernance – ministry
Holistic issues in Internet governance in Nepal
Ethical usage of Internet; Internet for better produces specially farmers.
Every 3% rise in broadband helps in 1% of GDP. Context of Nepal?
Distributing free computers to the community and government school doesn’t do good for sustainable electronic governance practices, but what next after having computers in school needs to be addressed.
Internet governance vs eGovernance: is that still an issue of understanding in Nepal? #NepalIGF2018
Internet is a Global commons in WSIS. Governance is a better term for control – yes control of Internet and Internet Ecosystem.
Internet has changed things: I can become broadcaster, publisher and this and that. I’m it all due to Internet.
EU’s initation for GDPR has been an innovation for privacy domain. #NepalIGF2018
Not a single domain is responsible for controlling Internet. In the era of convergence, controlling needs rethought.
Quality retail Internet is still a question in Nepal.
This year’s budget has mentioned accessible Internet to all citizens in nepal. Unused funds of rurual telicom (RTDF) can be used for bringing Internet to cover all needys.
suchana mahamarga = Information superhighway
fish bone concept of connectivity
Difficult terrain is a challenge to cover fiber optics therehence comes wireless accessibility. 53% broadband coverage (40% is mobile broadband) fixed line needs upliftment. Says NTA Chair Mr. Digambar Jha
Bandwidth consuption is only 250 Gbps making Nepal one of the lowest bandwidth consumed countries.
Fixed broadband 130 Gbps
Mobile broadband 120 Gbps
Current ICT Index of Nepal 140; Jha promises to bring it to below 100.
Affordability of Internet
Digital Nepal 5 years framework;
NP CERT
ICT Status Survey of Nepal
SDG Goal 9 for Broadband and Access
First panel discussion:
50% of content consuemed in Nepal is on Facebook; followed by Viber and YoutTube.
Uber datacenter in Nepal is a fake news.
Uber considers data center in Kathmandu Nepal. Dear @Uber please confirm.
Small Act. Big impact guy – Allen Tuladhar.
Ranjan Sharma: Transmission head, Ncell
Quality of Internet vs Affordability
Per meg 12-15USD;
It’s nation’s infra; not individual commercial institute’s.
That’s how comes sustainbility and
Rishab Dara; Connectivity Policy, South and Centra Asia.
Facebook Connectivity Bringing the World Close Together.
AI- Balockchain newer entry to the Facebook family.
3.8 Billion people are unconnected at this point ie almost half of the world’s population.
current 3-connectivity issues
Availability
Awareness
Affordability
Pop affected by barrier
Affordability 95%
Availability88%
Relevance 36
Readiness 25
Project Terragraph: mmWave/V Band: 60GHz wireless network
delicenseing the bandwidthSolving the urban bandwidth challenge using V Band
V Band ideal for dense urband population
Another Project Aquila (High Altitute Platform Stations HAPS)
EG: Unmanned Aircraft System UAS
Goadl: deliver gigabit speeds to medium density regions
Spectrum for HAPSSpectrum Harmonization from ITU
ExpressWiFi by FacebookCheap, affordable and affordableExpressWiFi is coming to nepal in coming fture. Says Facebook rep.
Another project: Telecom infra (TIP)
open source hardware.
TIP is
LD WiFi
Another techlogy:
Open Cellular:
Rishab Dara from Facebook highlights Regulatory opportunies in South Asia: covers V+E bands, WiFi, HAPS and Sharing. #NepalIGF2018
White Space technology: not yet permitted by Nepal Government but Allen sir team did work on White space technology to bring connectivity during Nepal earthquake. DFID and UNDP helped.
Express WiFi contract and agreement done by Microsft Nepal; ExpressWiFi will be first released in Dhading.
Even White Space utilization is mentioned in ICT Policy. Govt is trying to auction this spectrum. Unconnected people will be left over if white space is auctioned. This should be free at least for the good cause.
Picosoft licensed rural telco; NTA …
Last mile connectivity needs addressing.
Last mile conectivity and rural access that’s what Nepal needs next. Explains @Allen sir during panel
discussion here in #NepalIGF2018
150 licensees
6 voices
only 2 NTC and NTA are market players
UTL: 4,5 RTDF ko thekedar
Net Neutrality (tehi tokiyeko spectrum ma operator can opera on 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G)…
Nepal has accepted Net neutrality.
5G- Nepal’s internal arrangement 2020 samma gari sakna parcha.
5% of GNI per capita:
2% of GDP per capita; broadband is targetted at for next.
Affordability is different at different part of Nepal. Differential charging based on geography.
Caching of Google and Facebook; Netflix, Akamai. YouTube CDN
Barriers specific Allen:
Whitespace implement garne barrierWhite Space: given to one organization in purely ad hoc basis.
Economic Growth Initatives not only Express WiFi;
Safety campaign is with NTA.
Graceful presence; IPv4; what would be role of APNIC in graceful presence in case of public IP.
IPv4 mafia. Transparent market of IPv4.
Landlocked economy, more issues than v4 and v6
78???74 members of APNIC and all of them received IPv4. almost all.
only 5 of the ISPs are doing IPv6. But it’s not mainstream.
7th position in case of IPv6 deployment.
Maldieves is last among SAARC.
0.2%
Bhutan in 3rd position with IPv6 deployment.
What is going on is the nationa lpolicy. No clear policy in Nepal regarding IPv6 deployment.
lack of incentives in Nepal for ISPS to deploy and adopt IPv6.
IPv6 is not operable with IPv4; can be one barrier.
Express WiFi vs Free Basics?
Express Wify works with licensed ISPs; rural and remote areas; it’s a regular wifi access point. not free; but cheap or affordable. Net neutrality is no where on it.
NTA permitted rates of connectivity.
Capping on bandwidth and price.
connect IPS
We shall keep updating this post while at forum itself. However, the latest on agenda and session is updated at IGF website at http://2018.igf.org.np/program-agenda/.
IGF 2017 was a huge success, our event page for the same is here.
Watch Nepal IGF 2018 Live here.