The proposal to this effect has been floated on the basis of a report prepared by a high-level committee a few weeks ago. The report had recommended that Spice Nepal, United Telecom, Nepal Television, Smart Telecom, Nepal Satellite, Local ISPs, Nepal Electricity Authority should build, operate and maintain the repeater stations and BTSs with the investment from all the stakeholders concerned. [break]
However, NT has not got any positive signal from the telecommunication service providers on the matter. A source at Spice Nepal told myrepublica.com that the company is itself continually expanding its facilities.
Currently, NT has installed 1,400 BTSs for its GSM and CDMA services, Spice Nepal has 650 BTSs and UTL is operating 133 BTSs.
Likewise, the report has recommended Nepal Telecom to outsource its operational activities -- outside network, purchase, installation, operation and maintenance of wireless broadband services and vehicle -- for the better management of the company. "For better management and cost minimization, outsourcing has been felt necessary," NT spokesperson Surendra Thike said.
In India, Airtel has outsourced most of its operations and it has been sharing the same towers with three mobile service providers.
In the global scenario and even in India, mobile service operators are popularly adopting outsourcing, Thike said. "If we can outsource most of the operations, we can specifically focus on core services," Thike said.
Regarding the vehicles in NT, the report says, "Nepal Telecom should stop purchasing vehicles from this fiscal year and shall invite tenders for outsourcing the vehicle service for operation, maintenance and transportation of equipment and manpower during the execution of the projects."
A task force had been formed to recommend ways to make NT services competitive and cheaper. Deputy Managing Director Kanhaiyalal Gupta has led the task force.
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