Nepal Telecom (NTC) has been provided with additional frequency (400 KHz) in the 900 MHz band. The regulator, Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), allocated the airwaves to the national telco as per the ‘multiple of five: x 5MHz’ policy.
The regulator made the decision to issue the resources to NTC at its recent board meeting. The extra frequencies will enable the company to improve its telecom services. The band is used in 2G service mainly, and we can expect these services to perform better in the coming days reflected in better voice and data services. While it could also enable the operator to use the 900 MHz spectrum for 4G and beyond technologies which are more efficient in terms of spectrum usage.
NTA’s Assistant Spokesperson Dr. Pradip Paudyal confirmed the development. He said, “The Radio Frequency Policy 2080 has made a provision to provide frequencies in multiples of five. When there is a multiple of five (x 5 MHz), the efficiency of that frequency increases due to new technologies. Earlier, it was 9.6×2, and after adding 0.4×2 to it, it became 10×2. A little more frequency was also added, and that improves the utility of the existing frequency and also the throughput in newer technologies.”
As of now, NT has 9.6×2 MHz paired (19.2 MHz unpaired) frequencies, which is not a multiple of 5MHz. But now, NTA has rewarded the company with an additional 0.4×2 MHz. That extends the company’s total frequency to 10×2 MHz paired, i.e., 20 MHz unpaired, which has now become a multiple of 5MHz.
Check out: Frequency bands in Nepal for 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G
Additional frequencies to 900 MHz band will improve Nepal Telecom services
Assistant Spokesperson Dr. Paudyal shared that adding frequencies will help in improving the quality and will also consume less energy to maintain the consistency of the quality of services. He added that the frequency policy is based on multiples of five (x 5 MHz), and it intends to improve the quality of service and spectrum efficiency with new technologies.
Paudyal remarked that to improve telecom services, companies need to either increase the number of towers or add more frequencies. Compared to increasing the number of towers, increasing the frequency bandwidth helps the operator to improve service in a cost-effective way.
Also: Nepal Telecom plans to shut down 2G network in 1800 MHz band
When will NTC implement additional 900MHz band frequencies?
NTC was scheduled to utilize its new frequencies in the 900 MHz band from Shrawan 01, 2082 but that didn’t happen. However, the company will soon start using the frequency, as per its spokesman Ravindra Manandhar. He said that the company will bring the new radio waves to use after configurations in the system.
At the moment, he said, the technical work is underway to operate the network utilizing added frequencies.
So, when that happens, the company’s voice will be clearer with lesser noise. 900 MHz band or low spectrum band is very crucial for a telecom operator for better coverage characteristics & more. And the latest addition in this low band will definitely help the telco improve its quality of service and enable its usage in higher technologies for more spectrum efficiency.
Don’t miss: Why low frequency band is important for a telco of Nepal?
By the way, tell us how 2G and 4G perform in your area, along with signal strength level. Do share in the comment section below.
