According to statistics provided by telecom operators providing service in this region, over 1.2 million people are using voice services through fixed and mobile phones. The preliminary census of 2011 put the population of Mid-Western Region at 3.58 million. [break]
Nepal Telecom has around 700,000 subscribers in this region whereas Ncell has provided GSM service to more than 400,000 people living in Rapti, Karnali and Bheri zones. Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) data shows Nepal Satellite, a rural telecom service provider operating in this region, has nearly 100,000 subscribers. Besides, other operators UTL, Smart Telecom, STM Sanchar are also providing service in this region.
As there is a fierce competition in urban areas, operators are targeting rural markets. This is more meant for expanding network for better coverage. Telecom service in rural districts, mainly in the Mid-Western Region, is still a challenge because of its difficult geography.
Licensing condition of NTA requires private operators Ncell and UTL to make at least 15 percent investments in rural areas. This mandatory condition has played an important role in increasing the tele-density among rural population of the country.
Director of NTA Aananda Raj Khanal said, “We have issued specific rural telecom services license to provide telecom service in targeted VDCs,” he said.
Rural telecom operator STM Telecom Sanchar (Pvt.) Ltd provides service in 534 VDCs of Eastern Region and Smart Telecom is providing service in 398 VDCs of various development regions. Similarly, Nepal Satellite is providing service in 273 VDCs of Mid-Western Region.
Khanal said rural telecom operators are assigned with cellular mobile spectrum to ease their expansion. He said increasing business potential in these areas is also pulling in private operators in rural districts.
Sanju Koirala, corporate communications manager at Ncell, said the company is focusing on regional campaigns to address the demand of local people of specific regions, which will eventually contribute to the growth in rural areas. She further said although the company is focusing on expansion in rural areas, it is still very difficult to provide services in remote areas as that needs huge investments while returns are not that promising.
The statistics show that despite a significant growth in tele-density in the Karnali development region, there are around 70,000 telephone subscribers out of which 65,000 are NT subscribers.
NT plans to add 42 GSM BTS and 380 IP CDMA BTS by the end of current fiscal year to further expand services in this region. The latest statistics shows that the country´s tele-density has crossed 53 percent and mobile penetration is above 47 percent.
Related story
VCs appointed to Purbanchal and Midwestern University
