Govt exploring alternative models for 'fast track' road construction

KATHMANDU: The government is exploring alternative financing models to construct the 76-km-long Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track road, for which, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) is seeking approval of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) for the annuity model.

Complete national pride projects on time: PM

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on Monday directed concerned line ministries to expedite work of national pride projects and complete them on time. His instruction has come at a time when such projects are crawling at a snail’s pace.

Nepal Telecom plans to set up subsidiary IT company

KATHMANDU: Nepal Telecom (NT) has stated that it will establish a subsidiary company which will work on development of software and local internet contents. The idea has come as a result of a long standing plan of the company to diversify investment.

NT‚ regulator at loggerheads on mobile licence renewal fee

KATHMANDU: Even as the deadline to renew Nepal Telecom (NT)’s mobile service permit nears, the government is yet to reach a conclusion regarding licence renewal fee, which has been a bone of contention between the company and the telecom regulator.

Nepalis may get to enjoy 4G service this year

KATHMANDU: If things move ahead as planned, Nepali consumers will be able to experience the world’s latest innovation in the telecom industry, called the fourth generation (4G) service, within this year. A study committee has recommended the government two options for the much talked about auctioning of the spectrum required for 4G, also known as long-term evolution (LTE).

70pc govt services to go online

All its e-services to be integrated to national portal by 2018
The government is coming up with an ambitious plan that aims to make 70 per cent of its services available online by 2018. For this, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MoSTE) has planned to integrate all e-services of the government to national portal.

Govt to launch new communications policy in five months

KATHMADNU, APRIL 23-- Minister for Information and Communications (MoIC) Minendra Rijal on Thursday, said that the government will bring a new policy within five months to guide the development of the overall communications sector. The policy envisages better operation of telecom, internet, digital and cable television services in the country.

Consumer activists seek regional offices of NTA

KATHMANDU, APRIL 20--Consumer rights activists have demanded that government establish at least two regional offices of Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) in Nepalgunj in the west and Biratnagar in the east to make it easy for consumers to file complaints.

Govt to fix base price for 4G spectrum auctioning

KATHMANDU: A committee formed to review difficulties in implementing frequency policy is preparing to recommend the government to keep the base price of fourth generation (4G) spectrum below Rs 12 million per MHz for auctioning.

NTA preparing to develop GIS based database of telecom infrastructure

KATHMANDU, APRIL 18-- The government is developing a database of telecom infrastructures based on geographic information system (GIS). It is mainly focused at maintaining digital record of infrastructures, including optical fibre, microwave towers, and base transceiver stations (BTS) spread across the country.

TBi to invest in tunnel highway to Hetauda

KATHMANDU: TBi Holdings Company, Japan, a company promoted by non-resident Nepalis (NRNs), is investing Rs one billion in Nepal Purbadhar Bikash Company Limited (NPBCL), the developer of Kathmandu-Kulekhani -Hetauda Tunnel Highway. Both the companies signed a share purchase agreement on Wednesday to this regard.

Call emergency numbers‚ NTA rings hollow

KATHMANDU: Have you ever dialled 100 to call the police using United Telecom Limited or Smart Telecom line? Or have you tried calling the fire brigade (101), using Ncell service? If you have, you know these numbers are not reachable, all thanks to the negligence of the telecom sector regulator and companies. Result: More than 50 per cent of telephone subscribers have been barred from using emergency numbers.

Progress in developing CeCs in country snail-paced

Government says lengthy and cumbersome procedures are to be blamed for the delay

KATHMANDU: Even after three years since the project started, the progress in establishing 81 community e-centres (CeCs) in 52 districts of the country has been painstakingly slow. 

Consultant urges government to adopt DBB model

For Tamsaria-Butwal-Bhairahawa section of Mechi-Mahakali Railway 
KATHMANDU, April 14--The consultant preparing the detailed project report (DPR) of Tamsaria-Butwal-Bhairahawa section — a section of the proposed Mechi-Mahakali Railway — has recommended the government to construct the section under design, bid and build (DBB) model.

Eight firms apply to be consultants

 NT's Strategic Partner
KATHMANDU: Eight international firms, including renowned global consulting agencies like KPMG, Ernst & Young, and Deloitte, have expressed interest in providing consultancy service to Nepal Telecom (NT) to help it rope in a strategic partner. These firms submitted their Expressions of Interest (EoI) by deadline today.

ITU launches young innovator competition

KATHMANDU, APRIL 8--International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has launched the fourth edition of its popular ‘Young Innovators’ competition, seeking out talented young thinkers and social technopreneurs across the globe, and encouraging them to showcase their innovative ideas at the upcoming ITU Telecom World 2014 in Doha in December this year.

Govt not to form Railway Board for now

KATHMANDU, APRIL 8--The government has decided not to form the Railway Board for now citing there is no immediate need for such a body in the country. The new Railway Act endorsed last year included a provision on formation of an autonomous railway body for expansion, development, operation of railway services and management of railway properties.

Import of telecom equipment slows down by 42pc

KATHMANDU, APRIL 7--Import of telecommunication equipment has declined significantly by 41.71 per cent in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, indicating low investment in the telecom sector. Telecom companies have imported equipment worth Rs 3.62 billion in the review period.

Mobile penetration up‚ subscription down

KATHMANDU, APRIL 3-- Subscription of new mobile lines has declined with the penetration rate of voice service heading towards saturation. The latest Nepal Telecommunications Authority figures show that telecom operators added fewer customers to its network this year, as telecom penetration rate rose to 86.82 per cent.

Introduction of embossed number plates to be delayed

KATHMANDU: Introduction of long-planned embossed number plates for vehicles has failed to make any headway, as the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) has continued to drag its feet in making key decisions.

Nepal‚ SKorea gear up to sign agreement

Draft MoU for railway development approved by both govts
KATHMANDU: The government is preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea on cooperation for development of railway in Nepal. Both the governments have already approved the draft MoU to be signed in this regard.

Digital solutions for youth employment

KATHMANDU, APRIL 2-- Digital solutions have an important role to play in national strategies to overcome youth unemployment, says a International Telecommunication Union (ITU) report.