- A 5G spectrum auction could take place in the near future in Nepal..
- A recent report has emerged that the regulator, Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA), is actively seeking a nod from the Ministry of Communication.
- Presently, the regulator NTA has sent an auction file to the communication ministry for a policy decision, which marks the single most.
A 5G spectrum auction could take place in the near future in Nepal. A recent report has emerged that the regulator, Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA), is actively seeking a nod from the Ministry of Communication, Information, and Technology (MoCIT) to conduct the auction.
Presently, the regulator NTA has sent an auction file to the communication ministry for a policy decision, which marks the single most significant development for a 5G auction in recent memory. NTA Deputy Director Pradip Paudyal said, “A policy-level decision is needed prior to the auction. NTA has sent a document for the decision.”
He further added that right after a decision is made, NTA will publish a notice for an auction, and all the telecom companies with no dues to pay to the NTA can participate to bid for the spectrum.
Also: 4G vs. 5G: Differences Between Two Mobile Networks
5G spectrum auction in Nepal with technology neutrality
Paudyal shared, “We prefer technology neutrality in the 5G spectrum auction, which allows operators to introduce any service under the same spectrum domain.” As per the Radio Spectrum policy 2080, NTA will initiate spectrum auction and provide new frequency bands with technology neutrality. This allows the telcos to use the frequency bands for both 5G and 4G services.
NTA has already finalized the work procedure for the auction, which comprises 5G frequency bands, pricing, operational modality, etc.
Though the idea of 5G in Nepal has sustained in recent years, the progress has been minimal. Nepal Telecom (NTC) ran its 5G trials but only internally at its offices. But with the latest development, NTC could likely roll out 5G, and it could choose between a standalone or a non-standalone network. Find more on 5G standalone vs standalone networks.
NTC spokesman Rabindra Manandhar has said that if the company opts for a non-standalone network, it will use the existing 4G gears built by Huawei. But if the standalone system is chosen, it will open a bidding. The Kathmandu Post reports that Ntc has sought 80 MHz of 5G bandwidth for free. NTA has not yet responded to this demand.
Private telco Ncell has remarked that 5G rollout will require a clear roadmap and justifiable use cases. In the recent past, the telco also expressed its skepticism over investing huge in 5G with a limited market in Nepal. But there are indications that if telecom companies use subscription models, then the next-gen network could deliver on the financial prospects for the operators.
What to do for affordable 5G?
As we approach a likely 5G rollout in the near future, there’s a big question: What could be the price for a 5G subscription? Likely, it would be pricier than what mobile subscribers are paying at the moment. But to mitigate this, the government can offer spectrum at subsidized tariffs or free for few years, which would also drive down the cost for 5G on the users’ end. Also, 5G equipment sharing deployment could keep the next-gen cellular services approachable for users.
Since there is a growing penetration of 5G phones in Nepal, more users are eager to try out the network on their phones than ever. Similarly for telcos, there are areas with higher data demands that are not met by the existing 4G capacity. But it can be met by bringing 5G with enormous capacity on top of the existing 4G capacity.
The recent governments have encouraged Ntc to launch 5G for the public. Therefore, the developments at Nta could point to a major breakthrough later in FY 2082/83. Ntc 4G has reached over 98% local levels, but 5G will deliver faster data speed, consistency, and minimal latency. Let’s wait with hope that the expectations turn into reality soon.
