NTA terms OTT Calls (Viber Out, Skype Out) to Mobile/Landline Phones illegal

NTA (Nepal Telecommunications Authority) has termed the phone calls from several OTT apps to Mobile/Fixed telephone lines to be illegal. Several applications provides the calling service to mobile, landline phones with some charges. These app based calling are mostly used by people abroad to make calls to Nepal.

As NTA came to know about the selling of recharge cards for apps like Viber, Skype to make calls to Nepali numbers, they publish a notice in national dailies with a warning. NTA has warned all for not to involve in such activities as it goes against the provision in Telecommunication Act.

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The OTT/IM apps like Viber, Skype offers VoIP services like Viber out, Skype out through which you can make calls to several countries. The app to app calling is free of charge, which applies to call people who are online. Such apps also lets you call to any numbers worldwide but it will cost you some $$. So, you just need to buy some balance (in foreign currencies) or specific packages and can directly call Mobile and landline phones throughout the world, with an active internet connection.

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Why NTA calls OTT out calls illegal?

As such apps are likely to bypass the legal routes for international call landings, bringing a harm to the carriers, NTA terms it illegal. The VoIP calls from such OTT apps has put a huge trouble to the country and telcos, due to the loss in tax and revenues. Although you do not have control over the selling of recharge cards/packages abroad, NTA can stop such open purchase within the country.

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NTA even goes further to take legal actions against those involved in the selling of Viber out/Skype Out balance, packages. Tell us what do you think about NTA’s notice for such Viber, Skype calls to Mobile/landline? Have you purchased any of such app packages to call to Nepal, please put your comments below.