Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) could be planning to close down free WiFi Mobility service. The regulatory body’s chairman, Bhupendra Bhandari, said that it’s been discussing ending free WiFi hotspot service that’s provided by internet service providers (ISPs) or mainly WorldLink. He shared the stunning news at an event organized by the Society of Economic Journalists Nepal (SEJON).
The move could be in a plan to help telecom companies gain some control over their falling revenues. Bhandari said that the authority has received complaints that Free WiFi mobility has hurt their earnings.
“We are receiving complaints from the industry that Wi-Fi mobility has lowered our revenues. We have also been monitoring it,” he said. “Currently, two lakh (200,00) people are using Free WiFi Mobility service. They are using 1000s of gigabytes of data.”
Bhandari added that NTA will analyze the effects of stopping free WiFi mobility and make decisions accordingly.
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Free WiFi Mobility service could close down, forcing you to use mobile data
The reason for closing down free WiFi Mobility comes mainly from telecom companies’ complaints. In Nepal, WorldLink is providing such a free WiFi Express service across Nepal and other ISPs too. Because of this, users can connect to the WiFi once and browse the internet in public places such as restaurants, shopping malls, gyms, hospitals, airports, hotels, etc. Main thing is such free Wifi is available in 14000 locations including all the major areas of Kathmandu, with no disruption on the go. It means people won’t have to use mobile data packs to get online. Sometimes you even find such Free Wifi of ISPs in residential areas that too with continuous coverage, where you can use it seamlessly. So, telcos argue that ISPs can’t provide “one-time registration” and “seamless connectivity” facilities.
Another valid point that telcos make is that the unfair competition between mobility Wifi providers (ISP) and mobile service providers. As telcos pay billions for license and spectrum while ISPs pay in a million and do not even require frequency spectrum, NTA need to find out proper regulations for healthy competition among them.
In recent years, the topic of revenues in the telecom industry has come under greater scrutiny. Both Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Ncell have seen their incomes fall consistently. Now, the government also seems serious about finding solutions for it. Ending WiFi mobility, which gives free WiFi access to smartphone users, could be one step. Similarly, the idea of sharing infrastructure has also taken prominence recently. Check out: Challenges of Telecom operators in Nepal
Bhandari also said that telecom companies are now exploring the idea of a subscription model to grow their business. But he insisted that companies need to consider customers’ rights too while talking about the falling income of operators.
WorldLink’s WiFi Express Hotspots have been a great help to smartphone users for internet connection on the go. Especially, WorldLink users who step out of their homes can connect to the WiFi hotspot and browse the internet without relying on mobile data. But that’s also hurting telecom service providers, as free WiFi removes the need to use data. So, if NTA does close down free WiFi service from WorldLink, it will certainly cause inconvenience to the users.
On the flipside, mobile data packs are not as expensive in comparison to what it was a decade ago. Plans such as Ncell Sadhain ON Pack or Ncell’s Auto Renewal Packs are highly convenient for staying online at affordable rates. Similarly, Ntc data packs are also affordable and reliable. They can be more secure and faster than connecting to a WiFi that has several other users on its network at the same time. Recently Nepal Telecom also requested people to avoid free public Wifi and use mobile data instead.
So, what’s your thought on this? Should NTA go ahead and ban the use of Free WiFi mobility or should it be allowed as it is? Do leave your opinion in the comments below.
