NTA to crack down on grey market mobile phones

SIM cards in smuggled handsets to be rendered inoperable
In a bid to crack down on sale of illegally procured mobile phones, the government will introduce a system under which the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards of telecom companies will not function in unregistered mobile devices.

Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) is preparing a guideline to enforce such a system to render useless handsets that arrive in the market via illegal channels. In a simpler sense, mobile phones whose International Mobile Equipment Identity number is not registered at NTA will not accept SIM cards of any telecom companies once the authority enforces the system.

NTA prepares to issue MVNO permit

The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) is preparing to issue a license of mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). The regulator has said that the permit was being open with a target to expand mobile service in areas where the service has not reached, diversify the telecommunications services being provided and provide enhanced quality of service to customers.

MVNO is a concept of a company that can diversify telecom services using the network and infrastructure of mobile operators. Digambar Jha, chairman of NTA said that the permit will be issued with a focus to virtual marketing. “We are issuing MVNO license based on which a licensee will take business from service providers,” he said. “There will be no role of NTA in between if a telecom company refuse to provide business to MVNO. They will be working together only based on policy and instruction.”

NTA to hire consultant to monitor broadband projects

Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) is set to hire a consulting firm to monitor the projects under NTA’s Rural Telecommunications Development Fund (RTDF). The telecommunication sector regulator recently invited expression of interest (EoI) from interested firms to monitor, evaluate and certify the progress of RTDF-funded projects.

“As NTA lacks enough manpower and expertise to monitor and evaluate project progress, we decided to hire a consulting company for this purpose. The hired consultant will basically render professional services for evaluation, monitoring and certification of RTDF-funded broadband projects initiated by NTA,” said Min Prasad Aryal, spokesperson for NTA.

Ncell 4G/LTE now in Lahan and Dhangadhi

• Ncell 4G service reaches 21 cities
• Nepal’s widest 4G coverage crosses 15% of population
• Customers can upgrade their SIM to 4G at Re 1 and get 1 GB data

Ncell Private Ltd. has expanded its fourth generation (4G)/long term evolution (LTE) service in two more cities - Lahan of Siraha and Dhangadhi of Kailali district, further expanding coverage of the country’s widest 4G network. The company is launching the high-speed mobile broadband in these cities on January 7, 2018.

All Ncell customers possessing 4G SIM (U-SIM) with the 4G compatible handset in Lahan and Dhangadhi will be able to enjoy the 4G service and reap benefits of opportunities it brings from Sunday. With this expansion, Ncell’s 4G coverage has now reached 21 cities and made the service accessible to over 15% population.