Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has long been planning to introduce provisions on infrastructure-sharing and is working to establish a separate company for the same.
NTA has already prepared a directive which makes it mandatory for telcos to install infrastructure -- such as Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) and optical fiber lines -- that can be shared by a minimum of three companies.
The guideline is waiting endorsement from the Telecommunications Infrastructure Promotion Committee under the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC).
Speaking at a social dialogue on 'Role of ICT Post-Disaster, Effective Reconstruction and Rehabilitation', the Minister for Information and Communication Minendra Rijal said the government will soon endorse the guideline. "As infrastructure-sharing is very important to rebuild the damaged infrastructure in the earthquake-affected districts and also important to enhance the quality of service by sharing investment, we are working to endorse it very soon," he said.
Rijal also said that as it was the age of technology, 4G networks should be rolled out soon. 3G networks only were not enough now as the demand for data is growing, he said. According to him, the government will make a provision about not allowing operators to hold frequency that are not being used.
At present, United Telecom Limited (UTL) and Smart Telecom have been holding frequency for more than two years to operate GSM service.
"We have submitted the proposal seeking for permission to issue license to at least one organization for infrastructure-sharing on June 23. We are waiting for the committee to provide permission for this and once we receive permission, we will work toward it soon," Digambar Jha, chairman of NTA, said.
Jha said at least one new operator is starting its business in the coming fiscal year so the infrastructure-sharing should be endorsed before that.
He also informed that a master plan to implement Broadband Policy is under preparation and will be finalized within 15 to 20 days.
Erim Taylanlar, CEO of Ncell, said that regulations and policies should be set up for the long term so that communication can be up and running even during times of disasters.
Buddhi Prasad Acharya, managing director of Nepal Telecom (NT), said NT can provide concessional services in affected areas if NTA provides it with financial support and support for infrastructure reconstruction through the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund (RTDF).
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