A third mobile service operator in the offing!

KATHMANDU, AUGUST 21: The Nepal Telecommunications Authority is preparing to introduce a third mobile service provider in the country. Authority spokesperson Santosh Paudel stated that preparations are being made to study the process of granting operational permission to the new service provider. 

Currently, Nepal Telecom and Ncell are operating mobile services in Nepal. Paudel mentioned that the government has felt the need for a third service provider to offer cheaper and higher-quality services to consumers. "The government made provisions in the budget to conduct a study for a third service provider," he said.

Accordingly, the Authority has also proposed to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to conduct the necessary study for introducing a new telecom operator in the current fiscal year's budget.

Similarly, a year ago, the Authority released a concept paper on the current state of frequency usage and future plans for mobile services in Nepal. The paper noted that the duopoly in mobile services is inhibiting competition and affectingservice quality.

According to the existing laws, it is impossible for a new service provider to operate as a mobile operator. Considering this, the Authority has mentioned in the paper that licenses will be issued based on frequency auctions. Currently, only institutions with telecommunications service licenses can obtain frequencies. The paper further states that the auction winner will receive the spectrum as well as a license to provide mobile broadband services.

 

 

 

telecommunications service licenses can obtain frequencies. The paper further states that the auction winner will receive the spectrum as well as a license to provide mobile broadband services.