Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has published a notice on who can only provide Wifi Hotspot service. As per the notice, the telecom operator with basic telephone license can only provide seamless connectivity /roaming/ mobility using Wifi hotspot service. NTA also warns to follow rules for such Wifi hotspot service. This means the ISPs has to close the free WiFi Mobility service, which is illegal as per the current rules and regulations. Earlier the regulatory body’s Chairman, Bhupendra Bhandari, hinted at ending free WiFi hotspot service that’s provided by internet service providers (ISPs) or mainly WorldLink.
Check out: ISP’s free WiFi Hotspot causes telcos a loss of Rs 14 billion a year
NTA notice on Wifi hotspot with mobility
Apart from the above basic telephone license holder like Nepal Telecom, the service providers which have received special permission can only provide such Wifi mobility service. As per the Wifi Hotspot operation Regulation 2075, the provider needs to follow some conditions including unique login system and usage within some fixed period or fixed volume.
Further, NTA notifies to strictly follow the Radio Frequency Policy 2080, for power limit, backhaul/backbone restriction. Similarly, NTA has notified to use the radio equipment that have only got the “type approval’ from the authority.
NTA also warns to take legal actions if the above provisions are not followed. That means it is illegal to provide Wifi mobility service (seamless Wifi) for other than the basic telephone licensee and Special Wifi provider. While the higher power radiation of Wifi in public places to cover larger areas is also prohibited now.
Do read: NTA Specifies Minimum Signal Level for Mobile Coverage
Power limitation of Wifi equipment
As per the Radio Frequency policy 2080, the frequency bands with unlicensed applications require the following radiation power limits for both 2.4GHz and 5 GHz as specified below.
- Maximum Output Power of Transmitter: 1W (30 dBm)
- Maximum Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP): 4W (36 dBm)
| S.N. | Frequency band & range | Conditions |
| 1 | 2.4 GHz (2.4 – 2.4835 GHz) | • Maximum Output Power of Transmitter: 1W (30 dBm) • Maximum Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP): 4W (36 dBm) |
| 2 | 5 GHz (5.150 – 5.350 GHz, 5.470 – 5.650 GHz, 5.725 – 5.825 GHz) | • Maximum Output Power of Transmitter: 1W (30 dBm) • Maximum Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP): 4W (36 dBm) |
Despite this being the implementation of the approved rules, the move is also a plan to help telecom companies gain some control over their falling revenues. Bhandari earlier said that the authority has received complaints that Free WiFi mobility has hurt their earnings, including the question of legality of such Wifi mobility.
As known, there are around 2 lakhs people using Free Wifi mobility service, which could be in 1000s of Gigabytes of data.
So, NTA analyzed the rules and the effects of stopping free WiFi mobility and took the decision accordingly.
Also: How to use free WiFi safely? Important Tips to save you
ISP’s Free WiFi Mobility service could close down
In Nepal, WorldLink is providing such a free WiFi Express service across Nepal and other ISPs too. Because of this, users can connect to the WiFi once and browse the internet in public places such as restaurants, shopping malls, gyms, hospitals, airports, hotels, etc. Main thing is such free Wifi is available in 14000 locations including all the major areas of Kathmandu, with no disruption on the go. It means people won’t have to use mobile data packs to get online. Sometimes you even find such Free Wifi of ISPs in residential areas that too with continuous coverage, where you can use it seamlessly. So, telcos argue that ISPs can’t provide “one-time registration” and “seamless connectivity” facilities.
First point regarding the Wifi mobility service is that it is illegal based on the ground of existing rules and regulations as stated above.
Another valid point that telcos make is that the unfair competition between mobility Wifi providers (ISP) and mobile service providers. As telcos pay billions for license and spectrum while ISPs pay in a million and do not even require frequency spectrum, NTA had to find out proper regulations for healthy competition among them.
In recent years, the topic of revenues in the telecom industry has come under greater scrutiny. Both Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Ncell have seen their incomes fall consistently. Now, the regulator took serious decision about finding solutions for it. Ending WiFi mobility, which gives free WiFi access to smartphone users, could be one step. Similarly, the idea of sharing infrastructure has also taken prominence recently. Check out: Challenges of Telecom operators in Nepal
Telecom companies are now also exploring the idea of a subscription model telecom service to grow their business. But it also requires the approval of the regulator before they do so.
WorldLink’s WiFi Express Hotspots have been a great help to smartphone users for internet connection on the go. Especially, WorldLink users who step out of their homes can connect to the WiFi hotspot and browse the internet without relying on mobile data. But that’s also hurting telecom service providers, as free WiFi removes the need to use data. So, if NTA does close down free WiFi service from WorldLink, it will certainly cause inconvenience to the users.
On the flipside, mobile data packs are not as expensive in comparison to what it was a decade ago. Plans such as Ncell Sadhain ON Pack or Ncell’s Auto Renewal Packs are highly convenient for staying online at affordable rates. Similarly, Ntc data packs are also affordable and reliable. They can be more secure and faster than connecting to a WiFi that has several other users on its network at the same time. Recently Nepal Telecom also requested people to avoid free public Wifi and use mobile data instead.
Will the ISPs close down Free WiFi mobility service after NTA notice? Do leave your opinion in the comments below.
