Professional Background & Career

Mr. Kharel’s career is defined by a rapid and aggressive expansion strategy. He founded Classic Tech in 2009 with a mission to provide high-speed internet at affordable prices. Under his direct leadership, the company achieved remarkable milestones:

• Nationwide Reach: Expanding from a small startup to operating over 100 outlets across 74 districts of Nepal.

• Technological Innovation: He was a pioneer in introducing GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) technology to the Nepali market. This allowed for the delivery of dedicated fiber-optic speeds directly to individual homes (FTTH), revolutionizing how residential users consume data.

• Operational Scale: He oversees a workforce of over 1,500 employees, making Classic Tech a major regional employer in the tech sector.

Leadership in ISPAN

Elected as the Vice President of ISPAN, Mr. Kharel works closely with the President and the board to address industry-wide challenges, such as:

• Infrastructure Sharing: Advocating for fair pole rental agreements with the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

• Rural Connectivity: Using his experience with Classic Tech’s regional expansion to help formulate policies that encourage ISPs to reach underserved and rural areas.

• Digital Literacy: Supporting initiatives that combine high-speed hardware with educational content to increase the “digital depth” of Nepali internet users.

Core Philosophy & Impact

Mr. Kharel is known for his “customer-first” approach. He has often stated that technology is only as good as the support behind it, which led to Classic Tech’s focus on building a robust, 24/7 localized support mechanism. His work has significantly lowered the “cost-per-Mbps” in Nepal, making high-speed fiber internet accessible to the middle class and small businesses outside the Kathmandu Valley.