The Internet in Nepal: A Survey Report

Abstract

To get an insight into the perspective of Internet use in Nepal, the author conducted a survey of Internet users in Nepal in late April 1998. An electronic questionnaire was sent via e-mail to a selected local listserve (nepal-list@mos.com.np) which had about 100 members at that time. Because the response was insufficient, a second posting of the questionnaire was made in the first week of May, and responses were given a deadline of the second week of June. After the second posting of the questionnaire 12 responses were received (12%), which was accepted as meeting the social science survey sampling standard. The results of the survey provided information on various aspects of Internet use in Nepal, such as frequency of Internet use, benefits from Internet use, application of Internet in development and management of communications. The survey has also identified opinions on how Internet use should be promoted in Nepal, opinions on the north–south balance of Internet use, social effects of the Internet and other aspects. This survey, which was the first of its kind conducted in Nepal, reached only a small portion of Internet users in Nepal. As of August 1998, there are estimated to be over 7000 Internet users in Nepal. Future research on Internet use in Nepal is needed to develop the literature, data and information for use by researchers, development workers, commerce and other industries.