Permit one more mobile operator, NTA told

DINESH KARKI
KATHMANDU, April 8: The consultant hired by Nepal Telecom Authority (NTA) to study the possibility of licensing new mobile operator in the country has recommended the telecom regulator to permit one more mobile operator in the country.

NTA had asked Gate-In Services Pvt Ltd to study the feasibility of new mobile operator in the country within 45 days. As per the report submitted by Gate-In Services, NTA will now recommend Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) to permit one more mobile services operator.
Along with state-owned Nepal Telecom, Spice Nepal and United Telecom Limited are already providing mobile service. STM Telecom Communication, Nepal Satellite and Smart Telecom have also started their infrastructural setup to operate mobile service in rural areas.

"There is the possibility of getting cheap and quality telecommunication service after the introduction of new mobile operator," Gate-In Services said in its report to NTA.

Big corporate houses in Nepal are keen to venture into mobile services operation. According to sources, some of them are trying to join hands with Indian telecom operators to start mobile services here.

Mobile users, however, have been complaining about poor service quality and high tariff rates.

However, NTA sources said the report is silent on how the entry of new operators would enhance quality of service and bring down tariff rates. The company has also suggested NTA to do the needful in returning additional frequencies being used by existing operators.

If the frequencies are not returned, there is no possibility of inviting new company, the report stated.

Published on 2010-04-08 01:00:01