NT to Start 4G services from New Year

December 30: Nepal Telecom (NT) is all set to start 4G service in Kathmandu and Pokhara from January 1. NT is in final stage for the operation of 4G service. NT, finishing the equipment and software installation and system upgradation, is in the phase for trial of the service. According to the clause of starting the service in the given date by Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), NT is accelerating the preparation.

At first, 4G service will be available in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and major cities of Pokhara. The infrastructure work has completed as previously installed mobile towers and equipments in the capital and urban areas can facilitate 4G service as well.

Telecom has separated 5MHz frequency reforming its 15MHz for 4G in 1800 band. "The 4G service will be started with the same 5MHz," said Shobhan Adhikari, Co-Spokesperson of NT.

Meanwhile, NT has not taken approval from NTA on tariff rate till date. According to Digambar Jha, Chairman of NTA, the company can move ahead with promotional plan for tariff. “The process of decreasing data rate on volume base is the promotional plan,” he said, adding, “NTA has provided discount for three months on 4G.”

4G service will not be available in old SIM cards. The service will be available in recently issued universal SIM card only. In order to get the 4G service, customers will have to exchange their old SIM card with a new one.