Nepal Telecom rolls out 4G in 77 districts

Nepal Telecom (NT) has successfully expanded its 4G telecom service in all the 77 districts across the country.
Speaking during an event organised to mark the 16th anniversary of the state-owned telecommunication company, here today, managing director of NT Dilli Ram Adhikari claimed that the company had successfully tested its 4G telecom service in Simikot, the headquarters of Humla district, on Tuesday (???). “Humla was the last district that was to be connected to NT’s 4G service.”
With the successful expansion of its 4G service in Humla, NT has become the first and largest telecom service provider of the country, he confirmed, adding that the NT has – till date – installed 3,683 4G service compatible base transceiver station (BTS) towers across Nepal and has also set up 200 towers recently that are only 4G compatible.
Claiming that the NT is expanding its service as per the demand from the consumers, Adhikari said that the NT plans to upgrade 2,200 BTS towers to make them 4G compatible, while add new 640 4G BTS towers across the country soon. “The company has started to implement the federal system and is in the process of converting its regional offices into provincial headquarters to provide effective service to NT subscribers.”
The state-owned telecom company has been working hard to expand its services to compete with the private sector telecom service providers. But it has been riled by the increasing trade union activities, decelerating the productivity of employees.
Addressing the programme, minister for Communications and Information Technology Gokul Prasad Baskota took a swipe at the trade unions. “The government will not tolerate anyone trying to permeate politics in state companies that provide essential services,” he said, adding that the ones, who are interested in politics should join the political parties. 

8.34 million Nepalis have access to mobile banking services

The number of mobile banking users has increased by over 4.5 times in the past four years. “Some 8.34 million Nepalis have access to mobile banking services – a fivefold jump compared to four years ago from 1.75 million to 8.34 million – as of mid-October,” according to a report of the central bank.
An expanding number of smartphone users and increased coverage of 3G and 4G services are attributed to the sharp rise in the number of mobile banking and internet banking users, read the report ‘Situation of Access to Finance in Nepal 2019,’ launched today.
Though, Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) records, however, reveal that the number of mobile internet users has jumped to 14.65 million as of April 2019, the internet banking users stand at only 917,344. “Some 168,307 Nepalis use branchless banking. Likewise, there are some 1,530 branchless banking,” according to the report.
The rising popularity of mobile banking – a service provided by banks that allow clients to conduct financial transactions remotely using a smartphone – has also helped increase the number of mobile banking users.  Banks are competing by focusing on new technologies to provide different and easier services to their clients also due to easy access of smartphones and internet connectivity. But there is security concern about mobile banking as well as other banking services that use modern technology. In September, five Chinese nationals were arrested for stealing Rs 12.6 million from several ATMs of the Kathmandu Valley, causing people to be concerned about security features of modern banking services. Due to security concern, the central bank has fixed limit on transaction through mobile or internet. The central bank has set limits of transaction through mobile or Internet. “Only Rs 5,000 can be transacted through mobile banking at one time,” according to the new directives that dictates the weekly and monthly transactions of Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000, respectively.
But mobile banking has become very convenient for people – especially for household purposes – and getting popular due to its convenient features. Though the expansion of branches – particularly in rural areas – and increasing use of technologies like mobile apps have helped increase the number of users of mobile and internet banking in recent days, the numbers of people using ATM, internet banking, credit card, and debit card have also significantly increased.
“There are 6.7 million people holding ATM cards, up from 4.13 million people six years ago,” the report reads, adding that some 123,146 people have credit cards, up from 57,898 card holders in 2014. “The number of ATM outlets across the country has doubled to 3,316 in the last six years.”
There are 27.8 million deposit accounts and 1.44 million credit accounts of individuals, according to the report. “As of mid-October, banks had enrolled 168,307 customers from their branchless banking outlets in 1,530 locations.”
Despite the rapid progress in the banking sector, some 14 – out of the total 753 – local units in the country still have no bank branches, though central bank has asked the commercial banks to open a branch in each of the 753 local units across the country.
“The bank branches are crowded in Kathmandu as in Province 3, one banking branch serves 2,770 people, whereas in Karnali Province, there is one banking branch for every 4,958 person, and in Sudur Pashchim Province, one banking branch serves 4,409 people,” the report reveals, adding that in Province 5, access to commercial banks has reached all local levels. “Six local units in Sudur Pashchim Province are still have no banks, whereas one local unit each in Province 1 and Gandaki Province lack access to banking and Province 2, Province 3 and Karnali Province have three unbanked local units each.
According to the report, some 60.9 per cent of Nepali population of 29.6 million now has banking access.

Nepal Telecom expands 4G across 32 districts, 50 cities

Nepal Telecom (NT) has rolled out 4G service in 50 cities of 32 districts across the country.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli launched – through video conference – Nepal Telecom's nationwide 4G/LTE network in Kathmandu today. Though 4G service has been available for NT users in the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara, the government-owned telecom company has expanded the high-speed data service to 59 more cities of 36 districts of all seven provinces.
Under the 4G/LTE technology, users not only get high speed internet, but also high quality voice call service, according to the telecom service provider. “As the data speed of the 4G is faster compared to what the NT users are getting from current 3G services, they will be able to watch, download and listen audio/visual contents, play games and surf other Internet contents that require high bandwidth.”
“We have entered the age of 4G from first 2G and then 3G,” the premier said, launching the new service. “We have taken a giant stride to the new era,” he said, urging all to reap the benefit of the new technology provided by the state-owned telecommunication company.
Nepal Telecom had started 4G/LTE service – first in Nepal – in Kathmandu valley and Pokhara on January 1, 2017. However, it had been unable to expand the service outside Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara, as the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) launched a probe into the 4G equipment procurement process in February last year, suspecting financial irregularities, and other procedural and procurement hurdles. According to the telecom service provider, altogether 800,000 people are using the NT's 4G in the Kathmandu valley and Pokhara. However, Ncell has over three million 4G subscribers, though the company launched the service months later.
Issuing a pree note on the launch of the nationwide 4G/LTE service, the NT said mobile phones and SIM cards should support 4G/LTE. “There is no additional charge associated on activation of 4G/LTE service,” the note reads, adding that in mobile set, users can follow the direction after dialing #444#. “They can know whether they have to change their SIM card to get the new service or continue with the activation process.”
“Consumers, who avail data through NT 4G cellular technology have been offered 400 MB of data at Rs 25 for up to 24 hours upon subscription,” the press note reads.
On the occasion, minister for communications and information technology Gokul Prasad Baskota, said that NT’s 4G expansion is one of government’s biggest achievements.
Likewise, managing director of NT Dilli Adhikari said that the company was though comparatively late to expand the service, the 4G or Long Term Evolution (LTE) will cater to the high-speed internet demand of NT subscribers across 50 major cities.
Adhikari also informed that NT subscribers will have to switch to U-SIM to avail its 4G service and the company has already ensured the availability of U-SIM across places where the 4G service have been launched. “Subscribers of old SIM cards can exchange the new U-SIM free of cost.”
According to Nepal Telecom, over 6.5 million subscribers can benefit from the new 4G expansion.
Nepal Telecom had inked different pacts with China-based ZTE Corporation and China Communication Service International (CCSI) of Hong Kong to develop core network and radio network required for the 4G expansion in the country. ZTE has quoted a price of Rs 1.56 billion to install the core network. Under the plan, radio access networks will be installed in the central and mid-western regions in the first phase, whereas in the second phase, the core network will be installed in the eastern, western and far western regions, connecting all areas into the 4Gs system. “The first and second phases of the network are expected to cost Rs 8.75 billion and Rs 8.39 billion, respectively.”

Nepal Telecom to start 4G service in 50 cities

Nepal Telecom (NT) is bringing 4G services into operation in 50 urban areas throughout the country from Wednesday.
The telecom service provider is announcing the expansion of the 4G service by organising a programme – in Kathmandu – which would be addressed by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, according to the Nepal Telecom spokesperson Pratibha Baidya. “The BTS towers have been installed at more than 110 places to roll out the 4G service,” she said, adding that the number of BTS towers will reach 150 by Wednesday.
The 4G service will be started in Chandragadhi, Birtamod, Damak, Biratnagar, Inaruwa, Dharan, Dhankuta, Janakpur, Jesleshwar, Malangawa, Bara, Parsa, Simara, Kalaiya and Gaur. Similarly, the service will also be expanded to Dhading, Kavrepalanchok, Sundhupalchok, Bidur, Manthali, Bhimeshwar, Sindhulimadhi, Parbat, Kushma, Baglung, Chitwan, Sauraha, Taulihawa, Butwal, Devdaha, Tulsipur, Ghorahi, Nepalgunj, Kohalpur, Surkhet, Bhimdattanagar, Jhalari, Pipaladi, Chaumala and Attariya.
The 4G service is reaching more than 50 places at the same time, according to the Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gokul Prasad Banskota’s directive.
“The goal is to expand the 4G LTE service throughout the country by February 12, 2020,” she added.

Nepal Telecom’s profit growth rate slows down

Increased licence fee, foreign exchange losses, and falling revenues caused by changing consumer tastes and preferences has pulled the Nepal Telecom (NT) net profit down by 42 per cent – compared to the last fiscal year – in the fiscal year 2018-19 that ended on July 16.
According to a consolidated interim financial report released by Nepal Telecom today, its net profit dropped to Rs 10.20 billion in the fiscal year 2018-19 from Rs 17.48 billion in fiscal year 2017-18, after it was obligated to pay Rs 4.02 billion for the second renewal of its licence, which had expired in 2014.
The state-owned utility still has to pay around Rs 16 billion in pending licence fees to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA). And as the second renewal has also expired in May, there is uncertainty over fees for a third renewal too.
According to the telecom service provider, the company was obligated to pay Rs 20 billion, despite a dispute with the regulating authority over the payment of Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) renewal fees, which had accrued on May 12, 2014.
Though, the government rescheduled – on May 24 – the payment, and allowed to settle in five annual installments from the fiscal year 2018-19 to save the state-owned, the employees' union of the NT has demanded that the fee be withdrawn.
According to a statement released by the union, the company which has a paid-up capital of Rs 15 billion – Rs 5 billion less than the fee amount sought by the regulator – should not be subjected to such a huge fee as it will lead to a massive financial burden.
The Nepal Telecom had received approval to sell GSM services in 1999. Since there was no fixed charges set for approval and renewal fees at the time. The telecom company had, however, agreed to pay the amount which would be paid by other service providers in the future.
In 2004, when Spice Nepal – now Ncell – began operations, it had agreed to pay Rs 210 million for approval to run GSM service and Rs 20 billion after 10 years for renewal, which has put pressure on Nepal Telecom to pay the same charge as default fees for renewal of the GSM licence.
Telecom operators are, now required to renew their licences every five years after 10 years of operation. “The issue of quantification of the GSM licence renewal fee that expired in May this year is not settled within the authority,” Nepal Telecom said, adding that the company renewed its licence by paying nearly Rs 190 million and has amortised the cost accordingly. “The fee liability of third renewal, if confirmed and quantified may result in further cost to the company and hence, the net profit after tax will be adjusted by that extent.”
Apart from renewal fee, the telecom also attributed the decline in its net profit to a fall in revenue as it recorded Rs 36.78 billion in total income in the last fiscal year, a drop of Rs 2.24 billion compared to revenues of Rs 39.02 billion in the fiscal year 2017-18. The fall in profit has hit the public listed company’s earning per share as it has dropped to Rs 68.05 per share from Rs 116.56 in a year, according to the unaudited financial statement of Nepal Telecom. “The company also suffered a foreign exchange loss of Rs 153.79 million in the fiscal year 2018-19 against a gain of Rs 635.55 million in foreign exchange in 2017-18.”
The marketing schemes also cost the company Rs 775.26 million in discount schemes on recharge card sales. 
The telecom has blamed growing use of over-the-top messaging services like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger over long distance and domestic voice calls for the decline in revenue, despite a growth in subscriptions. Earlier, long distance voice calls used to contribute a major chunk to the revenue, according to the telecom that has planned to expand the 4G network – to again gain the market – and also replace ADSL with fibre to the home (FTTH) connection.
The political bickering and red tape also forced the telecom service provider to loose its ground with the private players.

Number of 4G users soars by 125 per cent

The number of fourth generation (4G) mobile network users has reached 3.6 million within three years of being introduced in the country.
According to Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), the number has increased by 125 per cent compared to last year. The recently published Management Information System (MIS) report of mid-April to mid-May revealed that the number stood at 1.6 million last year. “The 4G network was first introduced in Nepal on January 1, 2017 by Nepal Telecom (NT). Currently, NT, Ncell and Smart Telecom Pvt Ltd (STPL) are providing 4G service across the country, apart from Ncell that has the largest coverage of 4G service.”
The MIS report also revealed that there are a total of 2.6 million 4G subscribers of Ncell so far, whereas NT and STPL have 762,945 and 174,816 4G users, respectively.
Although NT was the first to start 4G service in the country, till date it has been able to provide 4G service only in Kathmandu and Pokhara, whereas Ncell is currently providing the service in 1,000 different locations of seven provinces.
Within two years of the 4G launch, Ncell has expanded the service in 44 districts but the STPL is providing 4G service in four major cities – including Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and Pokhara – in the country.
Meanwhile, NT has divided the 4G expansion project into three categories including Network I, Network II and Core Network. While the Nepse-listed company has awarded the Network I and Network II categories of the project to CCSI, ZTE Corporation has been awarded the contract to develop necessary core network and radio access network for the expansion of 4G or Long Term Evolution (LTE) service.
Likewise, the number of mobile data users reached 18.6 million compared to 14.3 million last year, it revealed, adding, “Of the total number of data users, 10 million are 3G users while remaining 136,573 users are using networks that are below 3G capacity.”
According to the MIS report, some 63.31 per cent, out of the total population, are using internet service across the country. “Of the total number of internet users, some 49.65 per cent are mobile network users, 12.47 per cent are fixed broadband users, while 1.18 per cent are wireless broadband users,” it stated in the report.

CG Telecom to operate mobile service

The Supreme Court has ordered the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to allow the CG Communications (CG Telecom) to operate its mobile service. A single bench of Justice Deepak Raj Joshee issued the verdict in this connection today, paving the way for the CG Telecom to bring the mobile service – popularly known as 4G service – within 2019.
After the apex court's order, Chaudhary Group (CG) said that the company will expedite process to launch the mobile service at the earliest. "Following the court's order, our company is now ready to launch the mobile service," spokesperson at the CG Group Madhusudan Poudel said.
The CG Communications had filed a case at the Supreme Court after the authority did not allow the company to run the mobile service even though the company had already acquired Unified license.
A cabinet meeting – on Jestha 14, 2074 – had decided to give license to the CG Telecom to operate the mobile service in May 2017. But the telecommunications regulator has been putting on hold the government the decision. 
Though the government had already decided to provide basic telephony license to CG Telecom, the authority invited telecommunications companies for the auction of residual spectrum in 900/1800/2100 MHz band on Poush 4, 2075. The CG Telecom went to Supreme Court against the frequency auction, which hinders them from getting frequency spectrum. Without frequency spectrum, no telecom operator can start any of the mobile service operation (2G, 3G, 4G).
The SC decision also directs NTA to treat CG Telecom in the same way as other telecom operators. Putting the spectrum auction on hold, SC instructs NTA not to hinder in any way for the operation of mobile service by giving permission to bring equipment and operate with frequency spectrum.
CG Telecom had already started paying the pending sum for the royalty and frequency fees in installment, Poudel said, "Out of total Rs 360 million, CG Telecom has paid the first installement to NTA."
CG Telecom is a subsidiary of Chaudhary Group (CG), the multi-national company from Nepal which manufacturers Wai Wai, owns Nabil Bank, CG Electronics, hotels, insurance and more. Paudel also hinted that the company has already finalised the Strategic Partnership with world renowned International company.

Ncell committed to digital Nepal

Ncell announced today that the company is all set to deploy technology neutrality on 900 and 1800 MHz band to double its fast mobile internet footprint via 3G to 60 per cent of the population.
With technology neutrality, Ncell – the leading GSM mobile service provider of the country – can enable more than 17 million Nepali in Nepal to enjoy fast mobile internet service, according to the telecom company's media release.
The extended coverage areas will include more than 1,000 rural and remote villages, for example, Deuralikot of Bajhang, Shreenagar of Mugu, Jhong in Mustang, Malta of Lalitpur and Tingla of Solukhumbu. "These villages will have access to fast mobile internet for the first time in their life, which will contribute to bridge the prevailing digital divide, bringing immense positive changes in the lives of people, economy of those communities and social arena," it adds.
A World Bank report states that access to mobile broadband can give an immediate impetus to economic growth, with every 10 percentage point rise in broadband penetration raising economic growth by 1.38 percentage point.
"We are excited about the great impact that technology neutrality is set to bring to the people and the country, especially in term of access to internet, creation of new opportunities and GDP growth,” the release has quoted managing director of Ncell Simon Perkins, as saying. “We have committed to resources, knowledge transfer and investment with up to Rs 30 billion in infrastructure and services accordingly to achieve this goal," he said, adding that the company will collectively realise the national goal of building ‘Digital Nepal’.
As a part of this commitment to nation building, Ncell has introduced 4G in Kathmandu Valley from June 1, empowering customers in the Kathmandu Valley, Banepa and Dhulikhel with 4G services so that they are able to take benefits of the LTE technology.
The company is also planning and testing 4G service in 40 other cities nationwide, embracing a target that 15 per cent of population have access to 4G coverage within 2017

NT 4G service opened to Apple phone users

Nepal Telecom (NT) has made fourth generation (4G) or Long Term Evolution (LTE) service available to Apple phone users also from today after fixing technical issues.
"4G service is now available to Apple iPhone 6, 6 Plus, Seven and Seven Plus handset users,” the telecom service provider said in a statement.
Even after 4G service was opened to postpaid and prepaid subscribers, people using Apple phones could not switch to the upgraded network due to procedural delays between NT and Apple due to technical issues, according to the telecom service provider.
The US-based Apple said that it would make 4G network compatible with all Apple handsets from March in Nepal. "However, our persistent communication with Apple yielded results as the company made 4G service available by introducing a beta version,” the state-run telecom giant's press note reads. "Apple phone users need to download an application from Apple’s website beta.apple.com."
Due to lack of such version in iPhones available in Nepal, a number of iPhone users were deprived of 4G service. NT had then requested Apple to introduce the feature in its mobile phones in Nepal.
However, users have been advised to make a data backup before downloading the software. After that, they should go to the handset’s general settings, open software update and download the beta version, one of the largest operators in the country said.
NT customers can subscribe to 4G service by dialing *444#.
According to the company, more than 50,000 postpaid users in Kathmandu and Pokhara have switched to 4G network since the service was launched for them on January 1.
It expects the number of prepaid subscribers upgrading to 4G to rise faster as there are more of them than postpaid users. NT has opened 4G service in Kathmandu and Pokhara in the pilot phase.
The telecom service provider has upgraded 308 of its Base Transceiver Station (BTS) towers in the Kathmandu Valley and 25 stations in Pokhara to launch 4G service, it said, adding that the upgraded network allows consumers to use data at speeds of up to 32.4 Mbps. "The company aims to eventually raise the speed to 100 Mbps."
Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has authorised Nepal Telecom to offer 4G service with a bandwidth of 5 Mhz from the 1800 Mhz frequency band. The NT has asked the regulator for another 5 Mhz bandwidth to increase the speed to 100 Mbps. Once the pilot phase is completed, the company aims to launch the service in 15 municipalities in the first phase, according to the regulator of telecommunications sector.
According to the Management Information System (MIS) report of the authority, the NT has 13,536,114 GSM subscribers, apart from 7,504,457 internet service users using GPRS, EDGE and WCDMA technologies. "There are 13.74 million internet service subscribers using these technologies across the country."

Nepal Telecom rolls out 4G service

Nepal Telecom (NT) has rolled out fourth generation (4G) mobile network services for the first time in country today.
Minister for Information and Communications Surendra Kumar Karki inaugurated the service at a special function in Kathmandu.
Inaugurating the service, Minister Karki said that Nepal has not been able to connect information and communications technology (ICT) to the country’s development process though linkage between them is a must to achieve development goals. "The 4G service does not only aim to facilitate NT’s subscribers but also for the development of other sectors and the country’s overall development process,” Karki said.
Similarly, managing director of NT Kamini Rajbhandari, on the occasion, said that NT is committed to bring the latest internet technology in Nepal. “Launching 4G service is a part of enhancing Nepal Telecom’s consumer satisfaction," she said, adding that the launch of 4G will not only strengthen the position of NT in the market but will also help increase revenue for the government.
According to the telecom service provider, 4G services are available in most parts of Kathmandu and Pokhara, although it will initially be available only for post-paid phone service subscribers. "The service will benefit almost 350,000 NT post-paid subscribers in Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara," it added. "Post-paid users can activate the service by dialing *444#,” the NT said, adding that pre-paid service subscribers have to wait until February 4.
In a bid to facilitate its customers with smooth 4G service, NT has enabled the service at its 308 base transceiver stations (BTS) GSM towers in Kathmandu Valley and 25 BTS GSM towers in Pokhara. However, the 4G service in Pokhara will be available for GSM post-paid users based in New Road and Lakeside only.
NT has said that subscribers can enjoy 4G service at the same rate of one rupee per Mb data being applied for 3G.
To subscribe to 4G service, a customer’s mobile device should first be 4G compatible (Band-3 1800Mhz). Similarly, in case the post-paid SIM is of an older version, the SIM needs to be replaced with newer 4G-enabled SIM (Universal or U-SIM), the NT said, adding that some versions of iPhone will not support 4G for the time being.
Compared to 3G services currently in use, 4G services will have double the speed for internet services, the service provider said adding, “Under a 4GB Promotional Package, Nepal Telecom has offered 1GB data free for four days.”
4G is the fourth generation of wireless mobile telecommunications technology, succeeding the 3G currently in use in Nepal.
The 4G is the latest wireless internet service succeeding 3G and allows higher internet speed as compared to 3G. NT has claimed that users can enjoy 32.4 Mbps per second download speed using 4G.
The first-release of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard – a 4G candidate system – is commercially deployed in Oslo, Norway, and Stockholm, Sweden since 2009.
3G technology created the first networks fast enough to make smartphones practical.
Before that, they were too slow to allow subscribers to do all the things that make smartphones ‘smart’ like streaming videos, quickly surfing the web and downloading music. But 4G really allows technologies in smartphones to spread their wings. That is because they a lot faster than 3G. So when a subscriber wants to download an app or stream a TV show in HD, it can be done without buffering and lag.

Nepal Telecom to start 4G services from January 1

The Nepal Telecom has announced that it is starting the fourth generation (4G) dervices to its customers from January 1. "The consumers will be able to use 4G telecommunication service for the first time from 2017 as Nepal Telecom, the state-owned telecom service provider, is starting the new service in two major cities from January 1," it claimed.
The telecom companies till now provide only 2G and 3G services. In July this year, the government had opened the doors for telecom companies to operate 4G service by amending the Radio Frequency Policy.
The two telecom service providers – Nepal Telecom and Ncell – had applied for the operation of the 4G services. But Nepal Telecom is the first company to receive permission from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), the regulatory body, to start the new service.
“We are starting 4G service in Kathmandu and Pokhara from January 1, 2017” said the NT officials. "We will expand the service in other areas of the country gradually."
The 4G service is expected to help customers to operate the various services requiring high bandwidth such as video in an easier way.
Lately beside NT, three other telecom operators – Ncell, United Telecom Limited (UTL) and Smart Telecom, all privately owned, have also applied to NTA for approval to operate 4G service.
However, the NTA said that they were studying the roll out plans of the private sector telecom operators. There are currently six telecom operators in Nepal. But the Ncell claimed that they were ready to offer the 4G service to their customer, immediately after they receive the permission.
Despite the 113 per cent teledensity in the contry, according to the MIS report of the NTA, the telecoms sector has very nominal contribution to the economy. According to the various studies, increase in 10 per cent of teledensity will contribute one per cent to the gross domestic production (GDP). However, it has not been the case in Nepal.  

Ncell contributes Rs 129 billion to government coffer

Ncell Pvt Ltd (Ncell) today announced that it has contributed approximately Rs 129 billion to the national treasury, in the form of fees, royalty and taxes to date. As a long-term and committed investor in the country, Ncell aims to maintain its lead as the largest tax payer of the country in coming years as well, it said.
"As of May 4, Ncell has contributed Rs 128.63 billion to the government in the form of tax, royalty and fees," managing director of Ncell Simon Perkins said.
"I am encouraged that Ncell has made significant contributions to the state treasury, which serves as important source of public funding in areas where it matters the most – such as building roads, schools and medical infrastructures that are core to the well being and welfare of the people of Nepal,” he said.
Ncell is the highest taxpayer in Nepal and has contributed steadily to government coffers for the fiscal years 2012-13 (2069-70) and 2013-14 (2070-71).
"In the fiscal year 2014-15 (2071-72) alone, Ncell paid more than Rs 28.6 billion to the government as tax, royalty and fees,” Perkins said, adding that the company wishes to continue with this trend and maintain its lead as the largest taxpayer for the longer-term.”
In order to maintain the lead and take the company to the next level, Ncell on May 9, has announced its largest ever capital expenditure (capex) spend of $120 million (approximately Rs 12 billion) for the remainder of 2016, aiming to expand 3G aggressively in rural and remote areas and also to enhance quality in areas where it is already present.
Ncell presently has network coverage that reaches out to 92 per cent of population, and serves more than 13 million customers. In recent years, Ncell has been rapidly expanding 3G, and has requested Nepal Telecommunications for approval for the company to provide 4G services.
Divulging more on revenue contribution, Perkins disclosed that Ncell as of May 4, has paid Rs 30.69 billion in advance tax, Rs 39.66 billion in Value Added Tax (VAT), more than Rs 7 billion in license fees, as well as approximately Rs 8.95 billion in royalty, among others. The company has also contributed Rs 4.20 billion to the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund (RTDF).
The telecommunication company’s contribution to the state coffers has been growing significantly year-on-year, which reflects Ncell’s ambitious investment plans and growth. Ncell has also been solidly contributing towards socioeconomic development in various areas of Nepali society, the telecommunication company added.
In keeping with its unblemished profile as a responsible corporate citizen committed to the welfare of the people and nation of Nepal, Ncell also aims at working closely with the regulator and the government to fulfil national goals to benefit Nepalis populace through the use of technology that can bring immediate and impactful results in education, health and mobile financial services, among others.

4G is changing consumer mobile behaviour: Study

Consumer behaviour is evolving as a direct result of the launch of 4G mobile services, driven by faster download speeds and greater bandwidth, according to the results of the Orange Exposure 2013-14 report.

The annual study by TNS into media habits across UK, France and Spain, not only are 4G users consuming more content – 30 per cent of them in the UK regularly use their mobile to download video games, compared with 17 per cent of 3G users - they are also using more of the phone’s functionality like downloading video, and using geolocation for example – in France this is 25 per cent more than non-4G users.

The 2013 study takes an early look at the impact of 4G networks on consumer behavior also revealed that 4G users also demonstrate a growing acceptance of m-commerce, with 53 per cent using their mobile to pay for something in the last six months compared with 34 per cent of 3G mobile multimedia users.

The study also showed that mobile usage drives further research on other devices. "For example, 18 per cent in the UK said they used their mobile initially to check for information before conducting deeper research on another device." It also showed a growing trend in ‘showrooming’ – whereby consumers use their mobile to compare prices and read comparative reviews of products.

The study also showed the continued dominance of Android over iOS for the second year running, with almost half of all mobile devices Android across all three markets. Android also increased its share of the tablet market, driven in part by Samsung's continued success. "For example, 19 per cent of tablets in the UK are Samsung in 2013, up from six per cent in 2012. In France, Samsung controls almost one third of the tablet market, up from 13 per cent in 2012," it noted, adding that consumers are increasingly using apps to access the internet, rather than traditional browsers.