Navin Kumar Shrestha
General Secretary, ISPAN & Managing Director, Arrownet Pvt. Ltd.
Navin Kumar Shrestha is a key administrative leader within the Nepali internet service ecosystem. As the General Secretary of the Internet Service Providers’ Association of Nepal (ISPAN), he serves as the primary bridge between the private internet industry and government regulatory bodies. He is also the Managing Director of Arrownet Pvt. Ltd., a company known for its focus on high-speed business and residential connectivity.
Professional Background & Career
Mr. Shrestha’s career is marked by his expertise in network management and corporate strategy. Under his leadership, Arrownet has carved out a niche as a high-reliability service provider.
Service Innovation: He has focused Arrownet’s growth on providing “uninterrupted connectivity,” specifically targeting small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) that require stable, low-latency bandwidth for digital operations.
Technical Advocacy: He is widely recognized for his keen interest in web technologies and has been an active participant in the broader IT community, advocating for the adoption of modern network standards and improved cybersecurity measures for local ISPs.
Leadership in ISPAN
In his role as General Secretary, Mr. Shrestha is the “engine” of the association’s day-to-day operations. His work involves:
Regulatory Coordination: He represents ISPAN in critical negotiations with the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) and the Ministry of Communication regarding licensing fees, bandwidth import regulations, and the “Digital Nepal Framework.”
Crisis Management: During industry-wide disputes (such as those involving pole rental issues with the Nepal Electricity Authority), he acts as the official spokesperson and lead coordinator, ensuring a unified front for all member ISPs.
Operational Oversight: He manages the association’s general meetings, constitutional updates, and the membership database, ensuring that the diverse voices of over 50 ISPs are heard.
Key Contributions & Philosophy
Mr. Shrestha is a strong proponent of fair competition and transparency. He often emphasizes that for the internet to reach every corner of Nepal, there must be a level playing field where both large and small ISPs can survive and innovate.
Collaboration: He believes in the power of the “Community Network” and has supported initiatives where ISPs share infrastructure to reduce costs for the end consumer.
Vision: His goal is to see Nepal transition from being a simple data consumer to a digital economy hub, supported by world-class local ISP infrastructure.