Nepal’s Smart Telecom secures 4G license
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Nepal’s Smart Telecom has become the market’s third mobile operator to secure a 4G license from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA).
The regulator has authorized Smart Telecom to launch 4G over its existing 1800-MHz spectrum holdings from July 30.
The license has been granted based on Nepal’s technology neutral spectrum principle, but has the condition that Smart Telecom must pay all unpaid spectrum, renewal and frequency fees by the July 30 deadline.
Smart will also be required to submit 4G operation reports to the regulator every three months, the report adds.
With the approval, three operators have now been cleared to launch 4G services. Nepal Telecom secured a license in October, while Ncell’s application was approved earlier this month.
Smart Telecom has announced plans to commence its 4G rollout in major cities including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Pokhara, Birgunj and Bhairahawa. The operator is Nepal’s smallest mobile player by subscribers, with a market share of less than 1%.
Of the market’s six mobile operators, only United Telecom has also expressed an interest in launching 4G. But the regulator has yet to decide whether to grant a 4G license to the operator.
Questions & Answers
Q.What conditions did Smart Telecom have to meet to secure its 4G license?
What conditions did Smart Telecom have to meet to secure its 4G license?
The regulator granted the license on the condition that Smart Telecom pays all outstanding spectrum, renewal, and frequency fees by the July 30 deadline. They must also submit 4G operation reports to the NTA every three months.
Q.Which other mobile operators in Nepal have secured 4G licenses?
Which other mobile operators in Nepal have secured 4G licenses?
Nepal Telecom received its license in October, and Ncell's application was approved earlier this month. Smart Telecom is the third operator to be cleared to launch 4G services in the market.
Q.Where does Smart Telecom plan to launch its 4G services initially?
Where does Smart Telecom plan to launch its 4G services initially?
Smart Telecom has announced plans to begin its 4G rollout in major cities. These include Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Pokhara, Birgunj, and Bhairahawa, according to the article.
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