Appendix Current Position of Nepal Growing popularity of social media and online communication platforms using smart phones has played important role in rising penetration of internet across Nepal. Internet penetration in Nepal stood at 57% in 2017, higher than South Asian average of 36%. Mobile connectivity in Nepal stood at 125% of the population, which is higher than the regional average of 91%, which includes India at 90% of the population. However less than 1/3rd of mobile connections in Nepal are 3G/4G which limits the user usage and experience with mobile internet. Mobile Penetration (%), Nepal, 2009-2022F 160% 140% 120% 100% 77% 82% 80% 60% 40% 21% 34% 49% 94% 104% 134% 136% 125% 130% 119% 113% 60% 20% 0% 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018F2019F 2020F 2021F 2022F Source: Nepal Telecom Authority Internet Penetration, Nepal, 2012–2017 21% 2012 27% 2013 43% 36% 2014 2015 Source: Nepal Telecom Authority; World Bank 32 50% 2016 57% 2017