Nepal Telecom (NTC) is set to test its much-anticipated 5G network by the end of Poush this year, and that could be within the year 2021. The state-owned telco has submitted its work plan to NTA seeking 5G spectrum.
Nepal’s largest telecom operator Nepal Telecom has accelerated its efforts for its 5G launch. It has submitted its 5G work plan to the NTA seeking spectrum for the fifth-gen cellular network. Earlier the government of Nepal has already decided to provide a free 5G spectrum to Nepal Telecom for a year. If everything goes as planned, NTC expects to begin its trial by the end of Poush.
In its work plan handed over to Nepal Telecommunications Authority, NTC has demanded lower and mid-band spectrums. If granted, NTC will operate its 5G either between 700MHz and 800MHz or 2600MHz band, reports Technologykhabar.
Check out: Probable 5G spectrum in Nepal
NTA Chairman Purushottam Khanal said, “NTC has submitted its 5G work plan. We are currently studying its 5G strategies and will draw conclusions through a committee.”
As known, Nepal Telecom will run the trials in both rural and urban settings. This will help the telco explore the fifth-gen network’s coverage and efficiency between two opposite scenarios.
Check out: Ncell ready for 5G test, Awaits spectrum
Tech Neutral Policy To Determine 5G Spectrum
NTA Deputy Director, Ambar Sthapit has said NTA is currently reviewing Nepal Telecom’s 5G work plan and reported that NTA is establishing its own criteria for 5G before it responds to the demands of NTC.
“Nepal Telecommunications Authority has set up a committee to study 5G test and spectrum availability. After the committee concludes on its study, NTA will provide the spectrum and other technical assistance to the NTC,” Deputy Director said.
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The committee will finalize its 5G procedure within 15 days and decide on providing NTC the fifth-gen spectrum as per Tech Neutrality Policy. NTA will set up criteria for all telecom operators and determine an appropriate 5G spectrum for each of them. NTA will accelerate rolling out its 5G spectrum in the upcoming Fiscal Year 078/79 for other telcos in line.
Check out: NTA 5G Spectrum and Development roadmap for Nepal
NTC’s 5G Work Plan
NTC’s 5G has been long overdue and finally, it is substantiating. It turned in its work plan to the NTA last week and asked for 2600MHz as its preference. The telco is now waiting on NTA’s final verdict for its fifth-gen network launch. After the telco authority draws its conclusions, NTC will start procurement of required equipment and it will take time.
The state-backed telco has begun talks with companies for radio equipment. The procurement of 5G apparatus will take up to 4 months. If everything goes as per strategy, NTC could begin 5G trailsting by Poush 2078, which could be within the year 2021.
Dilliram Adhikari, Managing Director of NTC, has informed the telco will concurrently run its 5G trials in four major cities and a few rural settings. He has also informed, “As for rural areas, NTC will select few vicinities where tower space and electricity is widely available.”
Check out: What is 5G Network, Applications and Services
Indian telcos have recently acquired the 5G spectrum and will launch fifth-gen tests very soon. Let’s hope NTA and NTC come together to find common grounds soon so that Nepali consumers also get the test of the revolutionary next-gen cellular broadband soon.
How excited are you to test the ultra-high-speed 5G broadband on your device? Let us know in the comments below.
