Logo

Nepal Telecom to provide 4G service across country within a year



Ntc 4G service

KATHMANDU, Feb 4: Nepal Telecom has inked a deal with two Chinese companies for the large scale 4G deployment in the country.

Ntc, the government owned telecom company, signed a contract with CCSI, Hong Kong for RAN Network and ZTE for Core Network amid a function in Kathmandu on Sunday. Ntc Managing Director Dilli Ram Adhikari, representatives from CCSI and ZTE signed the contracts separately.

Now with Ntc 4G LTE contract, the telecom company will be able to provide 4G service in all parts of the country. The project is expected to be completed within a year.

Acording to Ntc, both the contracts are done as per the directives from Parliament’s Finance committee, MoCIT and in subjective to the Public Procurement Act.

The whopping multi-million dollar project for 65 lakh 4G users has a core network and two radio network. It will put the core locations in Butwal and Kathmandu.

With the RAN network 1 and 2, it will expand 4G in all seven provinces.

NTC 4G EXPANSION

Ntc had first launched the 4G network in the country on Poush 17, 2073 from Kathmandu and Pokhara. The expansion project of the 4G coverage, apart from these two cities, was halted owing to various reasons. But with this upcoming 4G project, Ntc 4G will reach to every nook and corner of the country.

Ntc had floated three tenders for those projects more than a year ago planning to expand the 4G network as per the customer demand.  The 4G expansion faced several hurdles from many sides. It was under the scrutiny of CIAA, the antigraft body to examine possible corruption, for nine months. The parliamentary committees had also asked about the huge investment if it can be done at a lesser cost. The finance committee had directed Ntc with three options. It seems they had selected one out of it.

Earlier, MoCIT had also sent a letter to Ntc to make provision to complete the 4G project within a year, and launch 5G in 4 cities. Following the directions, Ntc sped up its works in finalizing the contract.

Ntc 4G will act as an overlay to the existing 2G, 3G and people can select the services as per their choice. The company will also provide advanced services like VoLTE and ViLTE with its upcoming 4G service.

This 4G expansion project has a big significance for Nepal as it will provide a good opportunity in using the connectivity or broadband for the development of the country and making people’s lives better.

Comment