Ncell launches 4G despite PAC directive

Nepal’s Ncell has announced the launch of 4G services, despite reports that the company is to have its 4G license withheld due to a tax dispute.

In a statement, Ncell said it has launched 4G in Kathmandu, Nagarkot, Banepa and Dhulikhel, and has set a target of rolling out 4G to 15% of the country by the end of the year.

Ncell will allow customers to replace their existing SIMs with a 4G compatible USIM for free at Ncell stores, and will provide 1GB of bonus data with a three day validity to celebrate the launch of 4G.

The company said customers can expect download speeds of between 10Mbps and 37Mbps and upload speeds of 3Mbps to 18Mbps.

The statement made no mention of the recent directive from the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that Ncell be prohibited from launching 4G until the dispute is resolved over capital gains tax associated with the sale of TeliaSonera’s indirect controlling stake in Ncell to Malaysia’s Axiata in 2015 for $1.03 billion.

The PAC has “serious reservations” over the launch, and will call a meeting this week to decide on a formal position over whether to oppose the issuance of Ncell’s 4G license under Nepal’s technology neutrality policy.

According to the report, Ncell had launched 4G before regulator the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) had a chance to reach a decision over the validity of the 4G license.