Ncell to provide 4G services soon

A week after issuing 4G licence to Nepal Telecom (NT), the government has sought a roll out plan from Ncell to launch 4G service in Nepal.

The board meeting of Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) last Friday had decided to seek a roll out plan from private telecommunications firm Ncell, according to Min Prasad Aryal, spokesperson for NTA.

With this, Ncell is set to become the second telecom company to get licence to operate 4G service in Nepal. NTA had sought a similar plan from NT before issuing 4G service licence. NT has already received NTA’s nod to begin 4G service from January 1, 2017, from Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara.

NTA has asked Ncell to submit the company’s plan regarding its readiness to begin 4G service, the date from which the company plans to start 4G service, and areas from where Ncell will begin offering 4G services, among others. Once Ncell submits its rollout plan, the NTA board will go through the plan and issue 4G licence to Ncell if the authority is convinced with the plan.

Though NT and Ncell had submitted applications to NTA to operate 4G service, the telecommunications regulator had delayed the process for Ncell and had issued a licence only to NT.

As 4G services can be introduced with available infrastructure used for 3G service, the telecommunications companies have been saying that they will be able to provide 4G service within two months after getting the licence for the service.

4G is the fourth generation of wireless mobile telecommunications technology, succeeding 3G. 4G is said to enhance internet using experience for users. A 4G system must provide capabilities defined by ITU in IMT Advanced. Potential and current applications include amended mobile web access, IP telephony, gaming services, high-definition mobile TV, video conferencing, 3D television.