4G plan in below 2G speed!

If things go as per the plan, the government soon will start its work to assign high-value airwaves of 700 MHz and 2600 MHz to nine companies for service operation. Based on a provision incorporated in recently amended Radio Frequency (Pricing and Distribution) Policy 2016, telecom regulator—Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA)—is planning auction of the airwaves which will allow operation of modern technology service fourth generation (4G), also known as long-term evolution (LTE).

Delay of 4G spectrum allocation has been causing huge revenue loss to the government and consumers too are unable to reap benefits from new trend services.

UTL acquires unified license

Eligible to operate GSM service nationwide

Kathmandu, Sept 7: United Telecom Limited (UTL), first private sector telecom company of the country, has acquired unified license, finally. The company had been eyeing for the permit for over last four years and the government had also decided to issue the license to the company. However; UTL had not been able to take it mainly because of its failure to comply with the government set provision to pay annual instalment of committed royalty.

The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) on April 11, 2013 had decided to issue unified license to Smart Telecom and UTL. The company was issued licence on Monday (September 5) after it paid annual instalment of Rs 204 million on Friday. Going by the government set provision, the company was supposed to pay the amount within mid-July 2016.

Ncell to provide mobile financial services

Kathmandu, August 19
The leading telecom service provider company of the country, Ncell is planning to launch mobile finance service soon thereby expanding sphere of its services provided in the telecommunications sector. Recently, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) introduced a separate policy to allow operation of mobile financial services. “We would like to take part in the development of mobile financial services through the policy that Nepal Rastra Bank introduced,” said Simon Perkins, managing director of Ncell.

According to the policy, mobile service providers can operate mobile payment services for the financial transaction.  “The services we want to offer to customers are to be able to do financial fund transfer both within Nepal and internationally, pay bills from their mobile phones and other financial services when on the move,” said Perkins.

Ncell unveils new brand logo

Pledges to invest NPR 70bn in 2 years
Kathmandu, August 15

Ncell Private Limited and Axiata Group Berhad on Monday announced the unveiling of a new brand logo of ‘Ncell - an Axiata company’. The new logo is coming into effect from Tuesday onward. Axiata is the sole investor in Reynolds Holdings, which holds 80% shares of Ncell.

A new chapter;
• Strong union between Axiata’s international expertise and Ncell’s high quality, cost effective services and strong local  heritage
• Heightened focus on advance technology, innovation and digitalisation to improve network coverage and connectivity for all Nepali customers
• Drive the development of Nepali talents and to build future Nepali leaders in the telecommunications industry

Draft of National Broadband Masterplan (2016-2020)

The government has prepared a draft of National Broadband Masterplan (2016-2020) focusing expansion of broadband connectivity across the country. Telecommunications regulator Nepal Telecommunications Authority has sought feedbacks from stakeholders to finalize the draft and get it endorsed by the Ministry of Information and Communications for implementation. Here is the draft. https://www.luminpdf.com/viewer/JDMpSgv8z7K3GCsS4

Thank you very much!

Dear Readers and followers,

This is my 429th post after I started this blog back in 2007 and this post is dedicated to you as you have been an asset for me to take my blog to this height. For your love and support, my blog, which I used to say ‘News of Nepal’ i.e. newsnp (later I named it ‘my news log’), has been receiving a good response. Thank you very much for being with me.

Nothing remains constant. My profession has also changed and I do not write as a media person anymore. I also gave a thought to shut it down; but for the traffic, which I have been witnessing, encouraged me to continue with the blog. So, from now onward, I will be writing about fields of my interest and share news, reports, articles, and interviews, among others.

Whatever I write here is my personal opinion.

Thank you,
@i_log_blog
newsnp.blogspot.com