I am the kind of person who is always hesitant to spend money on extra mobile data. One of the reasons is that as someone who doesn't often spend time outside and remains in his house with WiFi practically available for most places, there is seldom use for mobile data. But I understand the need for it because either restaurants or places are hesitant to share their WiFi even if it means for a short period. On the flip side, WorldLink has done a tremendous job in providing free internet access across everywhere in the valley and even in Biratnagar where I mostly live. But the recent plan by NTA to shut down Worldlink's free WiFi might force both me and people like me to use mobile data. Let's dive in this article to discuss what this could mean in the coming future.

Free WiFi or Mobile data in Nepal?

Free WiFi

Free WiFi has been a blessing for many Nepalis. WorldLink's free WiFi service covers over 14,000 locations across the country, including restaurants, malls, airports, and even some residential areas. This wide coverage has made it easy for people to stay connected without spending extra on mobile data.

The benefits of free WiFi are clear. It has played a huge role in supporting our growing cashless economy. With QR payments becoming more common, having free WiFi helps people complete transactions even when they don't have mobile data. Many small businesses and street vendors now accept digital payments, which would be difficult without widely available free internet.

However, free WiFi isn't without problems. Security risks are a major concern. When you connect to public WiFi, your data can be vulnerable to hackers. This security issue is actually one of the reasons the NTA is considering shutting down the service - though telecom companies losing profits is clearly the main driver.

Mobile Data

If free WiFi goes away, we'll all need to rely more on mobile data. But is this really feasible for everyone?

Mobile data in Nepal has become more affordable over the years, but it's still an extra expense many people don't budget for. For students, freelancers, and people with limited incomes, having to pay for data packages could be a significant burden.

Mobile data is generally more reliable than free WiFi when it comes to connection stability. You don't have to deal with the frustration of trying to connect to a crowded WiFi network or remembering different passwords. But mobile data isn't perfect either - there are still many places in Nepal with poor network coverage. In some areas, both in the valley and outside, you might find yourself with no signal at all.

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What This Means for Us

The potential shutdown of free WiFi mobility services will affect different people in different ways. For those who can afford it, switching to mobile data might just be a minor inconvenience. But for many others, it could limit their access to the internet and digital services.

The telecom companies argue that ISPs like WorldLink have an unfair advantage because they pay less for licenses and don't need spectrum. While this is true, we should also consider the public benefit that free WiFi provides. Or at least this is how I feel.