Effective Broadband Solution for Bridging the Digital Divide (A pilot project for community based internet service provider and services) Grant Contract ACA 2016/376-562 Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) Nepal Research and Education Network (NREN) APAN44 Dalian, August 2017

Mission : To provide broadband solutions to the needy community and to develop infrastructure for research and services Vision : Effective usage of ICT for socio-economic development in PPP model Objective : Provide broadband Internet services for rural communities Develop Infrastructure for Telemedicine, e-Governance & Tele-education Applications Develop Infrastructure for climate change related Researches Collaboration - with local community and authority Assist and Training – to the local community for the sustainability of the project Advocacy – PPP model justification for project replication in other rural areas

Mt. Everest Region connected with Fiber Optics via trekking route route.. Kala Patthar to Namache Bazaar Total Distance 29.8 km, Covergae point on route : Kala Patthar, Gorakshep, Lobuche, Pheriche, Dingboche, Panboche, Tyangboche and Namche Bazaar.

View from Kalapathar where the network starts Mount Everest Base Camp is here View from Kalapathar where the network starts HOW DO WE ACCOMPLISH THE NETWORK WHICH STARTS AT 5,600 METERS AND DESCENDS AT 3400 METERS ?

Initiative

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (September 2017 – December 2018) Total Project Budget 258,750 Euro Phase I SURVEY (Sept 1 – Nov 30, 2017) Phase II PROCUREMENT (Dec – July 2018) Phase III IMPLEMENTATION & Handover (Aug – Dec 2018)

SURVEY (Phase I) Preparation for Survey including : getting physically/mentally fit, logistic management for travel, acclimatization at 3400 meters for few days Setup of offices in Kathmandu/ Namche Develop Survey Tools Internet Service Provider Registration (the resource will be contributed by ICT4D) Interaction with local community and local authorities Conduct survey, data analysis and produce report First Report to Asi@Connect on Survey finding including detail technical requirement

Potential Survey Outcome Network Infrastructure Design Situation of ICT & Internet in the study Area Potential Applications in (Telemedicine, e-Governance, Tele-education, Tourism) Potential partners for Sustainability Possible Business Model for Sustainability

PROCUREMENT (Phase II) Based on the technical finding prepare detailed network plan and submit to Asi@Connect for procurement (to be submitted immediately after the technical survey so that we save time) Development of specification of equipment (especially optical cable and required accessories as per geographical and climatic condition of the Project Area) Necessary process for procurement by Asi@Connect

IMPLEMENTATION (Phase III) Laying of network and infrastructure Setup of Community Clubs for effective operation and maintenance Setup of Steering Committee for necessary monitoring and supervision Development & Implementation of Applications

Proposed Work Schedule Proposed Date Assignment Day 1 (if September 1, 2017) Agreement and process for pre-financing Within Sept 7, 2017 Receipt of Pre-Finance Within Sept 20, 2017 Logistic Arrangement, Office setup, Preparation of Questionnaire etc Sept 21 – Oct 5, 2017 National Festival Oct 10 – Nov 30, 2017 Survey and Reporting Dec 2017 – July 2018 Procurement and Delivery of equipment Aug 2018 – Oct 2018 Implementation Phase Dec 2018 Project completion and handover to the Community

END of this network but ……………. Mount Everest Somewhere below is Kalapathar Namche Bazaar END of this network but …………….

Let the research continues……………………thank you ! ……………. Quest for network at 4,000 meters……… Let the research continues……………………thank you !