NTA requests not to destroy telecom towers

NTA (Nepal Telecommunication Authority), the regulator for telecom in Nepal has requested not to destroy telecom towers. Earlier, unidentified group destroyed more than 25 telecom towers (more of Ncell and NTC) in a matter of 3 days.

Issuing a public notice, NTA says they have serious attention towards the latest incidents of destruction of BTS tower. Damage to the BTS tower has obstructed the mobile service in those areas.

• More than 24 telecom towers damaged by an unidentified group in three days.

Although Telecom service has been counted as essential service, such destruction are happening time and again that affects the general public directly.

These days, the telecom towers have been the target of some groups to show their strength and with great impact. The recent news of such tower damage has become widespread with the nationwide buzz and fear among people.

Police suspects the involvement of semi-underground Bipla Led CPN cadres. But the confirmation is yet to come. Earlier on several occasions, they were found to have accepted their involvement.

NTA request

With a solemn request, NTA asks all the respective groups, people to stop destructing such communication infrastructure. NTA also requests to allow the continuous operation of mobile service. Such destruction only affects people’s lives directly.

• 2G, 3G, 4G mobile networks explained simply.

Telecom infrastructure in rural areas takes a lot of effort and investment to build. Recently destructed telecom towers are mostly situated in the rural areas. The tower along with the equipment are also of huge costs. As the group set ablaze the telecom tower and equipment, it has a very less chance to withstand and unuseful later. So, it is a big loss to the telecom companies.

Similarly, the absence of basic communication in those areas will make people suffer a lot. People have started relying on the cellular mobile signal due to the easiness and readily availability. These days, it is difficult to live without cellular connectivity and data service. It gives a huge pain to imagine a situation where people want to communicate for the need for some emergency supplies or medicine or support but they cannot due to such destruction.

Although the telecom operators have gone through a huge loss with the damage of telecom equipment, they are doing their best to restore the mobile service there. They need to send a fresh set of equipment there to operate the service. As the telecom equipment in all the places is not being attended physically by a guard, the Government needs to arrange enough security for that equipment.

Tell us what do you think of such tower destruction? What do you do if you find someone or group doing the damage to the telecom tower?