On Wednesday, NT completed migration of its BTSs in Kirtipur and Syuchatar to the new network. “We can now distribute new lines in these areas. Our GSM users there can enjoy better voice and data services,” Guna Keshari Pradhan, spokesperson for NT, told Republica.[break]
NT aims to complete network migration in the Kathmandu Valley within a month. After that it will upgrade BTSs in Pokhara. The network migration is a part of the first phase of NT´s 10 million GSM lines project. On Thursday, it plans to complete network migration in Sanepa area.The existing GSM network in the Valley was installed by ZTE Corporation - a Chinese firm.
NT had signed an agreement with Huawei Technologies for supply and installation of system for 4.8 million GSM lines in the first phase of its 10 million GSM lines project on June 25, 2012. “Customers will get better service once we completely migrate to the new network. Customers in these two places, where network migration was completed on Wednesday, however, might face network problems for a few days,” said Pradhan.
NT currently has 2,500 BTSs across the country. It will add 1,039 BTSs under the 10-million GSM line project in the Kathmandu Valley for 2G and 3G services in 508 locations. NT plans to start distribution of new lines in the new network from September. As per the agreement, Huawei must complete all works on 4.8 million GSM lines by June 2014.
In the second phase, Huawei will start supply and installation of network for 5.2 million GSM lines on eastern, central (except Kathmandu Valley), mid-western and far-western development regions. According to sources, NT has already started testing of equipment in Birtamod, Biratnagar, Dhangadi, Attariya, Nepalgunj and Hetauda. NT will start distributing new lines under the 5.2 million GSM lines project by mid-December.
Of the total 10 million GSM lines, 47 percent support 3G service. NT will provide data service depending on the area.As per the agreement, Huawei will provide maintenance facility for five years after the new lines comes into operation.
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