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MIT GSL students works on startup ideation and app development

2018-07-27T16:18:00.000+05:45

Thirty-five students participating in MIT Global Startup Labs (GSL) are working on leading-edge startup ideas that address the way Nepalis are served in health, education, tourism, transportation management and utilities, among others.

The program incorporates an innovation boot camp, in which the students are learning the steps of creating a tech startup and what it takes to actually be an entrepreneur - from ideation stage to execution of technology startups.

The participants - selected from among 150 student and alumni applicants of Kathmandu University (KU) - are working on their business ideas, building prototypes, and learning how to market test concepts, following the completion of initial weeklong closed boot camp. They are currently conducting primary market research, user testing their prototype ideas, and learning from the experience of startup founders and engineering leaders through guest lectures.

The MIT GSL program is being conducted in Nepal by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA in collaboration with KU and Ncell, with the 35 participating students having so far formed 9 teams. Each team is working on its respective startup idea in the lab with round-the-clock support from MIT instructors.

The teams are being taught by four MIT instructors – Sisam Bhandari, Hem Narayan Das Chaudhary, Suresh Rajan, and Jackie Xu – who aim to bring the MIT style of learning to Nepal through hands-on learning, an interdisciplinary curriculum of technology and entrepreneurship, and 24/7 commitment to pursuing one's dream.

Components of the course include web development, user interface design, market research, team development, business model execution, public speaking, and idea pitching to help students develop their startup ideas, build working digital demos, realize the commercial possibilities of technology, and learn what it means to be an entrepreneur.

The GSL curriculum also introduces students to market research, including interviews, observation, feedback collection and meeting with concerned government agencies and private sector organizations, among other experts in order to further upgrade from the ideation stage. During the seven-week long MIT GSL program, students are following Disciplined Entrepreneurship’s 24 steps to a successful startup formulated by Bill Aulet, Managing Director of Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship and MIT GSL Co-faculty Director, in order to come up with a minimal viable product on the final Demo Day.

“After enhancing our technical skills, research among potential customers and finding a most feasible solution to the problem we want to address, we are now working on our startup idea,” said Santosh Thapa Magar, a member of a team that is working on a digital business idea related to traffic management.

“This platform is giving me a golden opportunity to learn on ideation process and work further on to start my own startup; I am having a great time learning from instructors from the prestigious MIT,” said Nikhil Shakya, one of the participants. His group is putting their learnings together in an effort to build their targeted solutions and is conducting market research and refining the idea further.

Ishan Pandey, a member of another team, said that his team is working very passionately on their business idea. “We are testing our idea in the market and are getting very positive response. This has fortified our belief in our idea; we see it finding markets in Nepal as well as globally,” he said.

Likewise, guest speakers from relevant fields visit the MIT Global Startup Labs once a week and share their experience and knowledge for running a successful startup.

Students state that sessions with guest speakers have helped them realize the potential of their ideas. “The guest speakers have been very inspiring and motivational. Their sessions have helped us to broaden our mind and knowledge on startups. We are taking their inputs and feedbacks seriously to modify our ideas,” said Palistha Shrestha, another participant.

Like Thapa Magar, Shakya, Pandey and Shrestha, members of all possible teams are actively building on their ideas, developing a business plan and testing them so that they could build and finalize their product prototypes by August 2, when they will pitch their ideas and prototypes to a panel of judges on Demo Day.

MIT launches Global Startup Labs in Nepal

2018-06-16T12:08:00.000+05:45

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, on Friday launched the MIT Global Startup Labs (GSL) in Nepal this summer with Kathmandu University and Ncell. MIT GSL empowers technology entrepreneurs and helps cultivate the startup ecosystem in emerging economies.

The MIT has been conducting the program for the last 18 years in 25 countries promoting economic development by cultivating young technology entrepreneurs, including India and Sri Lanka in South Asia. This inaugural program has been made possible by Ncell that works towards the technological advancement of the country by nurturing young entrepreneurs.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal Swarna Perera; Cultural Affairs Officer of US Embassy to Nepal Grace Caroll; Senior Director of Nepal Telecommunications Authority Ananda Raj Khanal; Registrar of KU Prof. Dr Bhola Thapa, MIT Faculty Co-Director for GSL Prof Saman Amarasinghe, and Managing Director of Ncell Suren J. Amarasekera jointly inaugurated the MIT GSL in Nepal amid a function in the capital on Friday.

This pioneering program has been initiated by Ncell in collaboration with MIT and Kathmandu University (KU) as a part of Ncell’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The course on mobile technology and entrepreneurship, based on MIT’s unique approach, will engage 35 selected KU students and young alumni. The intensive boot camp is led by 4 MIT instructors and is unique in that it is a student to student lab. Commencing June 15 and concluding on August 02, 2018 with a Demo Day that will highlight their team project prototypes. The goal is to both educate students to entrepreneurship and to help foster startups.

“We are delighted to partner with MIT and KU to bring the MIT GSL program to Nepal. This is in line with our vision to help nurture ‘technopreneurship’ spirit among young talent through innovation,” said Suren J. Amarasekera, Managing Director of Ncell Private Limited. “This collaboration reflects Ncell’s strong commitment towards facilitating further development of an ecosystem with ‘technopreneurs’ playing pivotal role for the socio-economic advancement of Nepal.”

MIT GSL – Nepal will be an intensive 7 week innovation boot camp, where the students will develop startup projects - from ideation stage to execution of technology startups.

Globally, MIT GSL partners with universities and companies in emerging regions and organizes advanced courses taught by MIT instructors. The MIT GSL program focuses on mobile and internet technologies and are structured so that students are exposed to the commercial possibilities of technologies. Components of the course include detailed technical curriculum, market research, team development, and business model execution, learning to pitch ideas, guest lectures, and networking events, all to help students realize the potential of their ideas. All of this culminates on Demo Day, sponsored by Ncell, with a student teams delivering pitches and prototypes as part of this funded business competition.

“MIT Global Startup Labs has trained nearly 3000 budding entrepreneurs in 24 countries to become leaders in the new information economy in their home countries as well as internationally,” says Professor Saman Amarasinghe, the Associate Department Head for the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) and faculty co-director for GSL. “With Ncell’s generous support, I am excited that MIT is able to bring the GSL program to the Kathmandu University for the first time. We hope some of the participants will be able to use this experience to revolutionize the Nepali digital ecosystem and even make a global impact.”

“Kathmandu University has put forward six key initiative that would act as key attributes of education delivery in Nepal that are quality, innovation, equity, global engagement, identity and impact. We are very much excited to partner with Ncell to bring MIT GSL to Nepal as it embraces all these initiatives together. This endeavor will inspire, enable and grow digital business ideas in the country by unleashing the innovative potential of students and empowering them to realize these ideas through trainings and mentorship by MIT team. The students would get utmost exposure to go back to their own community to identify their needs and the potential that exists in their own community and come up with innovative ideas that would be globally validated and propagated, that way the core theme of bringing the Campus-to-Community would be achieved through this program,” said Prof. Dr Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha, Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University.

For the inaugural year, the program targets students and alumni of KU who aspire to make a change through innovative digital business ideas. The program will be implemented in two phases, wherein 35 selected students will first undergo intensive training to accelerate and refine their digital ideas, and in the second phase team up to turn their ideas into viable products and businesses. An ecosystem of resources, mentorship, inspiration, and opportunities brought together by MIT, KU, and Ncell will facilitate them through these processes.

9.2 million Ncell customers carry smartphones

2018-06-14T10:39:00.000+05:45

First quarter report of Ncell released by its main investor Malaysian company Axiata shows that people carrying smartphone is increasing sharply in Nepal and the figure reached around 9.2 million. As per the report, 56% customers of Ncell are using smartphone. Ncell has 16.4 million customers. As per the recent Q1 report, compared to smartphone penetration of 44% in the Q1 last year, the penetration rate this year has increased by 12 percentage point. Smartphone penetration in Ncell was at 52% in Q4 2017. The number of data users is also increasing significantly.

As per the report, 46% Ncell users use data. The company has expanded its 4G service in 21 cities across the country making the service accessible to more than 15% of total population. Similarly, 3G service of Ncell is accessible to 54% population. For data use growing, the contribution of data income in total revenue of the company has also gone up. In the Q1 last year, the contribution of data in total income was at 17%, which in Q1 this year has reached 22%. Ncell has earned a total revenue of NPR 14.26 billion in the Q1 this year compared to NPR 13.67 billion of the same period of the last year.

Ncell’s ‘Pahilo SIM’ for SEE appeared students

2018-04-01T11:20:00.000+05:45

Ncell has introduced a special offer ‘Pahilo SIM’ to this year’s SEE appeared students. Under this scheme, students can subscribe Ncell prepaid SIM card at just Re. 1 loaded with exciting offers of iflix video streaming and My5 service on the first recharge. That is not all; they can also enjoy exclusively designed more affordable data packs and bonuses on every top up. Subscribers are entitled to get daily 3 hours of free video streaming between 11:00 pm to 5:00 pm of next day on iflix.

After subscription of Pahilo SIM, customers upon recharge of NPR 50 or more will be able to take advantage of My5 service for a year, under which they can make unlimited calls to five My5 numbers without additional charge for 30 days from the date of activation of service and after 30 days, customers can make calls at NPR 0.99 per minute (excluding taxes) to My5 numbers till the end of My5 service. Similarly, upon top up of every NPR 50 or more in Pahilo SIM till a year period, SEE students will get 100 MB data and 100 SMS.

The offer enables students to use data service at more affordable tariff through packs exclusively designed for them. They can enjoy Day Pack data service at as low as 7 paisa per MB during daytime and unlimited internet access through Night Pack. Day Pack of 300 MB data volume costs NPR 20 (including tax) and it is valid for 24 hours, while Night Pack applicable between 11 pm to 7 am enables customers to avail unlimited internet access at NPR 20 (including tax).

Most of the projects funded by RTDF delayed

2018-03-17T14:13:00.000+05:45

Majority of the projects funded by the Rural Telecommunication Development Fund (RTDF) are unlikely to meet the deadline. Even as separate agreements to carry out projects worth NPR 9 billion were reached with Nepal Telecom (NT), United Telecom Limited (UTL) and Smart Telecom, no project has made progress as per condition set in the agreement.

Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) on September 28, 2016, had signed an agreement with NT to expand optical fiber network in 32 districts along the Mid-Hill Highway with investment of around NPR 4.47 billion. More than half of the time allocated to complete the project has already passed, however; NT has failed to initiate any work to implement the project.

Min Prasad Aryal, spokesperson of NTA said that despite repeated reminder from NTA, the project has not moved ahead as per the time line and agreement condition. “NTA takes action henceforth, if NT does nothing," he added. In a bid to expand internet service in all districts of Province 4 and 5, NTA had selected UTL and signed an agreement for the project at NPR 1.01 billion on May 8, 2017, providing two years of time to complete the project. Yet, NTA has not received any progress report from UTL.

Smart Telecom, which was assigned to establish back bone connectivity in Province 6 and 7, has reported that ‘negotiation’ has kicked off yet no visible progress has been made. Through these projects, the government has set target to expand infrastructure of information highway to all districts to connect all community schools, health posts and rural municipalities with internet.

Source: Karobar

Billions of revenue loss in the lack of frequency distribution

2018-01-22T14:21:00.000+05:45

The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) itself is found flouting frequency policy. Auctioning of frequency on 2100 MHz bandwidth should have been done by mid-March 2017, but NTA has not even initiated the process. No distribution of frequency has caused loss of more than NPR 1 billion revenue to the government in last one year.

Due to weakness of NTA, 80 MHz frequency in 2100 MHz has not been distributed. As per the frequency policy, the regulator was supposed to auction frequency in the 2100 MHz within three to six months after issuing two basic telephone service licenses.
United Telecom Limited (UTL) has already been granted with unified license. It has been 16 months since then, yet auction process has not gathered pace. Min Prasad Aryal agrees that the auction process is taking more time. "Though late, the required preparations have started for the auction process,” he said.

The amendment in the frequency policy last year had not made any change to frequency fee in the 2100 MHz band. Per MHz frequency fee has been fixed at NPR 12 million for in this band. If distribution of the frequency was done on time, the government could have earned billions of revenue from the frequency and from the existing spectrum already assigned after price review.

Source: Naya Patrika

Nepal added over 250 internet users per hour

2018-01-21T12:17:00.000+05:45

More than 250 new users were connected to the internet every hour last year, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) said. According to the NTA’s Management Information System (MIS), 2.25 million new users were connected to the internet last year.

That translates to more than 250 new users every hour. As of October 2017, 16.67 million Nepalis had been connected to the internet, up 15.60 percent year-on-year.

The staggering growth means that nearly 63 percent of Nepal’s population is now connected to the internet. Less than 30 percent of Nepalis used the internet in 2010. The number of internet users has been growing rapidly largely due to the result of a competitive market, service providers said.

Source: TKP

NTA to crack down on grey market mobile phones

2018-01-16T16:11:00.000+05:45

SIM cards in smuggled handsets to be rendered inoperable
In a bid to crack down on sale of illegally procured mobile phones, the government will introduce a system under which the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards of telecom companies will not function in unregistered mobile devices.

Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) is preparing a guideline to enforce such a system to render useless handsets that arrive in the market via illegal channels. In a simpler sense, mobile phones whose International Mobile Equipment Identity number is not registered at NTA will not accept SIM cards of any telecom companies once the authority enforces the system.

Min Prasad Aryal, spokesperson for NTA, said the authority would appoint a third party to develop the system to render inoperable unregistered handsets soon. Aryal said the third party firm would connect its system to the network of all telecom companies in the country and make SIM cards in unregistered handsets dysfunctional. Aryal said the new system would be implemented within a few months. “We’ll be submitting guideline to enforce the system to the Cabinet soon,” said Aryal.

Source: THT

NTA prepares to issue MVNO permit

2018-01-12T17:08:00.000+05:45

The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) is preparing to issue a license of mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). The regulator has said that the permit was being open with a target to expand mobile service in areas where the service has not reached, diversify the telecommunications services being provided and provide enhanced quality of service to customers.

MVNO is a concept of a company that can diversify telecom services using the network and infrastructure of mobile operators. Digambar Jha, chairman of NTA said that the permit will be issued with a focus to virtual marketing. “We are issuing MVNO license based on which a licensee will take business from service providers,” he said. “There will be no role of NTA in between if a telecom company refuse to provide business to MVNO. They will be working together only based on policy and instruction.”

It has been said that the MVNO permit will be issued with a target to market services of six telecom companies of the country. NTA has already prepared a draft guideline to issue the MVNO license. The major responsibility of MVNO is to expand new and package service to a specific area based on the agreement reached between telecom company and MVNO.

NTA will be able to terminate the permit or take action if MVNO fails to perform based on the terms of condition agreed. According to Min Prasad Aryal, spokesperson of NTA, after agreement with telecom companies, MVNO will be able to expand telecom companies’ services with their own brand names. He said that NTA will recommend the draft to the government and after the introduction of the draft as a guideline, they will soon issue MVNO permit.

Source: Karobar

NTA to hire consultant to monitor broadband projects

2018-01-10T14:04:00.000+05:45

Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) is set to hire a consulting firm to monitor the projects under NTA’s Rural Telecommunications Development Fund (RTDF). The telecommunication sector regulator recently invited expression of interest (EoI) from interested firms to monitor, evaluate and certify the progress of RTDF-funded projects.

“As NTA lacks enough manpower and expertise to monitor and evaluate project progress, we decided to hire a consulting company for this purpose. The hired consultant will basically render professional services for evaluation, monitoring and certification of RTDF-funded broadband projects initiated by NTA,” said Min Prasad Aryal, spokesperson for NTA.
With an intention to mobilise RTDF and increase people’s access to internet, NTA has awarded all 18 such projects to internet service providers (ISPs).

Under these projects, ISPs are required to expand broadband internet service in the government offices, particularly in all rural municipalities across the country, schools, hospitals, public places and rural areas of earthquake-affected districts within mid-July this year. NTA nine months ago had signed agreement with companies to expand broadband internet in 11 quake-affected districts. According to NTA, in seven districts, ISPs have completed the expansion. Mercantile Communications has expanded broadband connectivity in Okhaldunhga, Dolakha, Ramechhap and Singhuli via VSAT technology. Likewise, Subisu Cable Net has completed work of 300 sites among 579 sites.

However, NT's report is not satisfactory. As per NTA, more than NPR 16 billion has been collected in RTDF so far. Besides connecting schools, hospitals, rural community service centres, village level administrative units and new urban centres across the country, NTA has been mobilising RTDF for district-level optical fibre network connectivity project through Mid-Hill Highway, establishment or erection of towers including their operation and maintenance, making ICT accessible for people with disability.

Source: THT and Naya Patrika

Ncell 4G/LTE now in Lahan and Dhangadhi

2018-01-08T15:37:00.001+05:45

• Ncell 4G service reaches 21 cities
• Nepal’s widest 4G coverage crosses 15% of population
• Customers can upgrade their SIM to 4G at Re 1 and get 1 GB data

Ncell Private Ltd. has expanded its fourth generation (4G)/long term evolution (LTE) service in two more cities - Lahan of Siraha and Dhangadhi of Kailali district, further expanding coverage of the country’s widest 4G network. The company is launching the high-speed mobile broadband in these cities on January 7, 2018.

All Ncell customers possessing 4G SIM (U-SIM) with the 4G compatible handset in Lahan and Dhangadhi will be able to enjoy the 4G service and reap benefits of opportunities it brings from Sunday. With this expansion, Ncell’s 4G coverage has now reached 21 cities and made the service accessible to over 15% population.

“We are very much delighted to announce the introduction of 4G service in Lahan and Dhangadhi, bringing more people into access of new technology-based high-speed mobile connectivity,” said Pranay Acharya, corporate services director of Ncell. “By making the 4G service accessible to more than 15% of the population, we have been able to swiftly deliver on what we have committed, contributing towards the goals of National Broadband Policy and Digital Nepal.”

The company had launched 4G first in Kathmandu Valley including Nagarkot, Banepa, and Dhulikhel on June 1, 2017. Ncell 4G is currently available in cities including Pokhara, Damauli, Biratnagar, Birtamode, Damak, Dharan, Bharatpur, Hetauda, Birjung, Bhairahawa, Butwal and Nepalgunj, Kohalpur and Birendranagar.

Ncell customers who have not upgraded their SIM to 4G SIM yet can easily acquire 4G SIM with same mobile number at just Re 1 by visiting nearby Ncell Center. With the SIM upgrade, which can be done simply by furnishing original document (citizenship certificate or driving license), the customers will also receive 1GB 4G data with a validity of 3 days for free.

That is not all. Ncell 4G customers can also enjoy ‘Buy 1 Get 1 Free’ offer, under which customers buying any data pack get an equivalent volume of 4G data as a bonus that can be used on the 4G network. Along with this, customers can also enjoy 30 days of free Yonder Music, which is an extensive digital library of over 20 million songs including 15,000 Nepali songs, by simply dialing *324#. Customers can check if their SIM is 4G by sending SMS to 324 typing Q.

4G/LTE connectivity empowers ICT industry, technopreneurs, media and other industries, contributing to put the economy on a higher growth trajectory, besides enhancing better customer experience. It offers better bandwidth, lower latency and improves spectrum efficiency, enabling customers to use more applications on mobile devices, provide real-time sharing of large files and media streaming, and immediate delivery of time-sensitive data.

The company is further planning and testing 4G service in other cities to expand 4G/LTE in other parts of the country as well so that more areas have access to 4G and people are able to reap its benefits. Apart from increasing access to 4G, Ncell plans to continue to bring more exciting offers to the customers, so that they could benefit from the fast and widest 4G network coverage.

Ncell starts online recharge service

2017-12-13T15:48:00.001+05:45

Private sector mobile service provider Ncell has started online recharge service for the first time in the country, enabling its customers to top-up their balance and pay postpaid mobile bills using Debit and Credit cards from VISA, MasterCard and UnionPay.

The service, which came into operation from Tuesday, is aimed at enhancing the customer experience by implementing digital solutions, according to Ncell.
Customers can simply visit website
payment.ncell.axiata.com, select debit/credit card recharge, fill details (the mobile number that customers want to recharge, amount to be topped-up, card number and a three-digit security code that is printed on the back of cards) required to complete the transaction.

Customers can use the online recharge service via Ncell App as well. Through the website, customers can also to top-up any Ncell number using recharge card PIN.

Ncell is always in the forefront to provide better customers experience by adopting innovative solutions based on new tools and technologies. The company has also been operating online chat service and constantly addressing queries and issues of customers raised in social media platforms like facebook and twitter as well, which have made it easier for customers to get their problems solved and know about any products and services of the company.

Ncell Mela in 4 cities

2017-12-12T15:50:00.000+05:45

The fun-filled 4G focused carnival begins on Dec 23

Ncell Private Limited is organizing its annual Ncell Mela in 4 major cities of the country, which is scheduled to start on December 23. The fair will be organized in Pokhara, Biratnagar, Butwal and Lalitpur to get closer with customers and provide experience of faster mobile broadband--long-term evolution (LTE)/fourth generation (4G) service--at local level.

The mela is being held in the 4 cities where Ncell has swiftly expanded 4G service, offering opportunities that high-speed connectivity brings. All the entertainment activities and games will have 4G theme in the fair and visitors will be able to enjoy the performance by famous celebrity artists and bands.

On December 23 (Saturday), 2017, the fair will be held in Pokhara (Exhibition Centre, Nayabazaar). It will be organized in Biratnagar (Haatkhola Ground) on December 30 and Butwal (Siddheswari Ground, Deep Nagar) on January 6, 2017 and in Jawalakhel playground (Lalitpur) on January 13. In all the 4 cities, it will begin at 11 AM and continue till 6:30 PM with the concert.

Different stage and ground entertainment activities for youth, adults, and kids have been included to ensure full entertainment to visitors. Entry is free for all in the mela and visitors can also win many exciting prizes in game stalls.

Performance by famous celebrity artists and bands, game stalls, kids zone and food stalls are some of the features of the mela. Alongside the event, Little Nepali Idol contest will be held to explore singing talents among children visiting the fair. There will be different games like paper plane throw, mini golf, frog jump and car race under the 4G theme, and for kids, the fair has fully packed fun activities including trampoline, go-cart, temporary tattoo, freego ride, Disney princess castle and characters among many others.

People visiting the mela will also be able to know more about Ncell 4G service that has reached in 19 cities from Ncell 4G Zone, where visitors can test data. They can also buy Ncell 4G SIM and if they have old Ncell SIM they can upgrade to 4G SIM by submitting necessary documents on the spot.

Artists including Shiva Pariyar, Indira Joshi and Aashish Rana (Laure), bands—Cobweb, The Edge, and Shadows, among others will perform in the fair. Saman Shrestha, winner and Animesh Shahi, 1st runner up of Roadies will also be taking part in the mela. There will also be other fun activities like facebook tagging contest, blind makeup, unicorn ring toss and biscuit on the head to entertain visitors.

“As year-end is approaching, it is time to celebrate with all our friends and family. We are looking forward to another joyful year 2018 with all,” said KokLeong Yap, chief commercial officer of Ncell. “We are hoping everyone will come with their friends and family to enjoy and celebrate at Ncell Mela, as it not only brings their favorite artists to their city, it has many more fun filled activities. For those who have to stay at home during this period, we hope they can also enjoy with our 4G network in 19 cities with free unlimited access to ‘Yonder music’ and ‘iFlix movies’."

Besides, music, game, and fun, the Mela will contain 10 food stalls where visitors can taste different types of Nepali, Indian and Chinese food. Ncell customers can also dial 17106 and get more information about the mela.

Ncell brings new voice packs at more affordable tariffs

2017-11-25T15:55:00.000+05:45

Ncell Private Ltd. committed at providing quality services at affordable rates has introduced four new voice packs, which enable prepaid customers to enjoy more talk times at more affordable rates. Customers can now enjoy up to 700 minutes in a month with new voice pack.

New voice packs have come into effect from Thursday (November 23) for a period of 90 days. Under these packs, customers depending upon their talk time requirement, can subscribe to daily, weekly and monthly voice packs. That if not all; customers can now also subscribe 3-day voice pack.

Under the new offer, customer can now enjoy daily voice pack of 20 minutes talk time at Rs 15 including taxes. New weekly voice pack offers 120 minutes talk time at Rs 70 including taxes. Likewise, newly introduced 3-day voice pack offers 50 minutes of talk time at Rs 30 including taxes. Similarly, monthly voice pack of 700 minutes talk time can be availed at Rs 300, which means customer taking new monthly voice pack can enjoy per minute call at 43 paisa only.

Daily voice pack minutes is valid for 24 hours, while validity of weekly voice pack minutes is seven days. Similarly, 3-day voice pack has validity of 3 days and monthly voice pack is valid for 30 days. Once the validity period expires or talk time finishes, customer will be charged at prevailing tariff. Prevailing charge for on net call is Rs 2.50 (including taxes) per minute. All voice pack minutes are applicable to make a call to any Ncell number.

“We are delighted to introduce 4 new voice packs by adding extra value for our customers in basic voice service,” said Pranay Acharya, corporate services director of Ncell. “This scheme is a part of our commitment to provide quality services at affordable rates.”

There is no change in the existing voice packs. Customers still can buy them as per their need.
Customers can buy these new packs as many times as they want, as per their communication need. They can buy or activate the voice service packs through channels including USSD, IVR, SMS and Ncell Mobile App.

Customers can dial 17118 and buy voice packs by hearing information about the voice pack accordingly. In USSD method, customers can dial *17118# and follow instruction to subscribe voice pack. Similarly, customers can send SMS to 17118 to buy packs. Customers need to type the price of the pack and send SMS to 17118. For example, customers will have to type 15 for Daily voice pack, 30 for 3 Day voice pack, 70 for weekly voice pack and 300 for Monthly voice and send it to 17118 for activation.

Customers can dial *901# to get information about the remaining voice pack minutes. To know the expiry date of the remaining minutes, customer need to type S and send SMS to 17118.

Ncell and iflix partner to give subscribers unlimited data and access to iflix

2017-10-12T12:50:00.001+05:45

Ncell Pvt Ltd. on Wednesday announced the launch of its exclusive partnership with iflix, the world’s leading entertainment service for emerging markets. Under this collaboration, all Ncell customers can enjoy up to three months unlimited access (worth Rs 900) to iflix’s world-class service starting from Thursday (October 12).

• Unlimited access to iflix's vast library for 3 months, exclusive for Ncell customers
• Video streaming for free during mid-night to 5 AM
• 2 hours of daily free streaming service to 4G users
• 1 hour iflix data pack at NPR 50
• Access to iflix on up to 5 devices

During the three-month access period, Ncell customers will also be able to enjoy unlimited data for free from 12:00 am to 5:00 am, exclusively to stream and download shows on iflix. Ncell 4G users are entitled to get an additional two hours of data between 5:00 am and 5:00 pm for free to enjoy iflix.

“We are delighted to partner with iflix to offer world-class entertainment to our customers. After swiftly expanding 4G services to 19 cities across the country, this partnership with iflix is a testament to our commitment to contribute in making digital Nepal a reality, fulfilling growing demand of data and contents,” said Pranay Acharya, corporate services director of Ncell.

Alongside the launch of iflix, Ncell has also introduced a video pack for NPR 50, allowing customers to enjoy viewing any content on iflix for one hour with a validity of one day. Customers can purchase the video pack multiple times as per their requirement.

With over 220 studio and distributor partnerships worldwide, iflix offers subscribers the most extensive selection of iconic, critically acclaimed TV series and fan-favorite films both internationally and locally available in the region, including hit Hollywood titles Teen Wolf, Vikings, Rocky Balboa and Fargo, as well as highly anticipated Bollywood, hits Piku, Heropanti and Krrish 3.
To mark the launch of iflix in Nepal, many of iflix’s most popular movies and TV shows will be offered with Nepali subtitles, with the aim of localizing the entire catalogue in the months to come.
“iflix is passionately focused on fulfilling the entertainment demands of local consumers. We are deeply committed to offering them a uniquely personalized and localized service with a vast selection of the world’s best TV shows and movies to stream or download on any device of their choice. We are thrilled to partner with Ncell, Nepal’s leading mobile network, for our launch here,” said iflix Nepal Country Lead Bhawana Ghimire.

Customers can simply download iflix app via Google Play and iOS Apple Store and register with their Facebook account or email. Standard data rate will be charged while downloading the app and viewing content. Customers can enjoy access to iflix on up to 5 devices, including phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, TVs and other connected devices, and watch shows on two different devices at the same time.

About Ncell
Ncell Pvt. Ltd. has been working in Nepal since 2004 as the first private mobile operator in the country. We provide services of international quality with a local touch. Most of our employees are Nepali and our services are designed to meet the needs of the local society. We are constantly working towards our goals of connecting everyone in Nepal through our network, providing high quality, modern and cost-effective services and creating value for our customers and partners.
Ncell is a part of Axiata Group Berhad. Together with Axiata, Ncell is committed to contributing to the development of the country’s economy and infrastructure, building best-in-class networks and bringing people in the remotest areas of Nepal within the reach of communications.
Ncell has been serving more than 15.75 million Nepalese people.

About iflix
iflix is the world’s leading entertainment service for emerging markets, offering users unlimited access to thousands of TV shows, movies and more. With a vast selection everyone’s favorite comedies, drama, K-drama, Turkish drama, Bollywood, Nollywood, cartoons, movies, live sports and more from Hollywood, the UK, Asia, The Middle East and Africa, iflix places the entertainment people want at their fingertips to either stream or download. For one low monthly fee, iflix subscribers can watch on their mobile phone, laptop, tablet, TV… wherever, whenever.

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Over 6500 new customers getting connected to internet every day in Nepal

2017-10-05T10:58:00.002+05:45

Nepali internet service providers (ISPs) are adding more than 6500 data customers each day. This is what the most recent management information system (MIS) report released by telecommunications regulator—Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA)—shows.

As per the report, ISPs have added a total of 2.4 million new internet users during last fiscal year 2016/17. This means in an average 6500 plus Nepali people are being connected to the internet on daily basis.
Thanks to infrastructure expansion by telcos and ISPs, market competition and declining price of data and smartphones, the easiest tool to get access to the internet.

Nepal Telecom (NT) and Ncell are two major data service providers in the country. Ncell, the leading GSM mobile service provider, added 1.42 million customers being able to attract highest number new data customers during last fiscal year, according to the NTA report. It means of the 2.4 million customers, 58 percent chose Ncell internet. It has been providing mobile internet services under GPRS, EDGE and WCDAM (includes 2G, 3G and 4G data services) as categorized by NTA.

State-owned Nepal Telecom added 0.81 million customers under its data services-- GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA (2G, 3G, 4G data services), ADSL, CDMA X1, EVDO and WIMAX. Smart Telecom added 66,702 customers, while other ISPs provided the data service to 0.1 million new data customers during the last fiscal year.

According to the NTA MIS, the number of internet users grew by 17.43 percent after which total data subscribers in the country touched 16.18 million. With this internet penetration rate of the country has reached 61 percent, up from fiscal year 2015/16’s 52 percent.

With telecom companies concentrating on data business, Ncell already announcing to massively expand 3G coverage focusing rural and remote areas by deploying technology neutrality on 900 MHz and 1800 MHz band, and both NT and Ncell extending their 4G to urban areas, it is for sure that more Nepali will be connected with the internet in coming days allowing them to reap benefit from access to internet.

NT had launched 4G on Jan 1, 2017, and Ncell had launched it on June 1, 2017. Smart Telecom has also been planning to launch 4G soon, according to media reports.

Ncell’s 4G is currently available in 19 cities (including Kathmandu Valley) across the country while NT has been providing this service in Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara. Following the launch of 4G, the price of data has also come down and as a result, customers can now use data service at as low as 2 paisa per MB under volume based pack of Ncell.

Internet at as low as 2 Paisa/MB

2017-09-13T12:14:00.000+05:45

Private sector telecom company Ncell has come up with an attractive new data pack offer that allows customers use internet service at as low as 2 paisa per MB. This is the first time that the data of the wireless mobile data dropped down to such a low tariff.

The offer launched last week, bundled 4G data enabling customers to enjoy internet at more affordable rates. Customers subscribing to any data pack under this offer get extra same volume of 4G data as a bonus, and can enjoy internet service at as low as 2 paisa per MB including taxes. If a customer subscribe 500 MB all time pack, s/he will also get additional 500 MB 4G data as bonus.

New data packs
As per Ncell, data packs are available in ‘all-time’ and ‘night-time’ use formats and offer data volume ranging from 30 MB to 10000 MB at lowered prices of Rs 10 to Rs 1500 with validity of 1 day to 30 days. All-time new data pack costs Rs 10 for 30 MB all network data and customers taking this pack also gets additional 30 MB 4G data as bonus (thus enjoying 60 MB data at just Rs 10).

Similarly, other all-time data packs cost Rs 30 for 100 MB, Rs 50 for 200 MB and and Rs 70 for 250 MB, subscribing to which customers will enjoy equivalent volume of 4G data as bonus. Furthermore, larger all-time data packs prices Rs 100 for 500 MB, Rs 300 for 1250 MB, Rs 500 for 2500 MB and Rs 1500 for 10000 MB, and customer taking any of these packs will also receive equivalent volume of 4G data. 4G data received as bonus can be used only in 4G network, while the main data can be used in any of the 2G, 3G or 4G networks.

Customers taking night-time packs will get 4 times more data volume to what they get in the all-time packs at the same price. That is not all; they will also get extra same volume of 4G data upon activation of any night volume as bonus. This means; if a customer subscribe night volume of 40000 MB at Rs 1500 s/he will also get additional 40000 MB 4G data, and enjoy data services at as low as 2 paisa per MB.

The new data offer came into effect from Wednesday (September 6) for 90 days and 4G data bonus will be applicable for 30 days. Prices mentioned herein are inclusive of taxes.

How to take packs
To enjoy fast mobile data service at more affordable rates, customers can activate the new data packs by simply dialing *17123# and following the instructions. They can subscribe to all time packs by typing desired pack volume and sending it to 17123. For subscribing the night packs, customers can type desired volume followed by N and send SMS to 17123. Customers can easily buy packs also from Ncell App.

“We are delighted to offer new data packs that make internet more affordable to our valued customers. We believe the offer ensures great value to our customers, especially given that Dashain festival is just round the corner and swift expansion of Ncell 4G has made 4G available in 19 cities across Nepal,” said Pranay Acharya, corporate services director of Ncell.

Ncell that launched 4G service on June 1 in the Kathmandu Valley (including in Nagarkot), Banepa and Dhulikhel has been swiftly expanding 4G. Currently Ncell 4G/LTE service is available in 19 cities and the company has set a target to take 4G to 40 cities by 2018 in order to enable the customers to reap benefits of the new opportunities and contribute to the vision of Digital Nepal.

Ncell 4G/LTE connects Kohalpur and Birendranagar

2017-09-01T10:28:00.003+05:45

Ncell has expanded its fourth generation (4G)/long term evolution (LTE) service in two more cities - Kohalpur of Banke and Birendranagar of Surkhet district of mid-western region of the country. The company brought the service into operation from today (September 1, Friday).

All Ncell customers possessing 4G SIM (U-SIM) with 4G compatible handset in Kohalpur and Birendranagar will be able to experience high speed mobile broadband from Friday. Customers who are still to change their SIM to 4G SIM can easily acquire 4G SIM with same mobile number at just Rs 1 by visiting nearby Ncell Center. With the SIM upgrade, which can be done by furnishing original document (citizenship certificate or driving license), the customers will also receive 1GB 4G data with validity of 3 days.

On the occasion of launch of 4G service in two more cities, Ncell is providing free music streaming/downloads service through Yonder Music app for 30 days to customers using Ncell’s 4G in Kohalpur and Birendranagar. Customers can enjoy Ncell’s 4G service and 30 days of free Yonder Music, which is an extensive digital library of over 20 million songs including 15,000 Nepali songs, by simply dialing *324#. Customers can check if their SIM is 4G by sending SMS to 324 typing Q.

With the commencement of 4G service in Kohalpur and Birendranagar, Ncell’s 4G/LTE service has now reached 19 cities across the country. The company had launched 4G first in Kathmandu Valley including Nagarkot, Banepa and Dhulikhel on June 1.

Ncell 4G is available also in cities, including Pokhara, Damauli, Biratnagar, Birtamode, Damak, Dharan, Bharatpur, Hetauda, Birjung, Bhairahawa, Butwal and Nepalgunj.

“We are delighted that we have been able to swiftly deliver on what we committed on 4G expansion,” said Pranay Acharya, corporate services director of Ncell. “As a part of our vision to contribute to the goals of National Broadband Policy and Digital Nepal, we will continue to expand 4G/LTE in other parts of the country as well so that more cities have access to new technology and people are able to reap its benefits."

4G/LTE connectivity empowers ICT industry, technopreneurs, media and other industries, contributing to put the economy on higher growth trajectory, besides enhancing better customer experience. It offers better bandwidth, lower latency and improves spectrum efficiency, enabling customers to use more applications on mobile devices, provide real-time sharing of large files and media streaming, and immediate delivery of time-sensitive data.

Ncell is further planning and testing 4G service in other cities. The company has set a target to take 4G in 40 cities by 2018 to enable the customers to reap benefit of the new opportunities. “Apart from increasing access to 4G, we will also continue to bring more exciting offers to the customers, whereby they will be able to enjoy fast 4G connectivity and access unlimited videos for free, among others,” Acharya stated.

With introduction of the 4G/LTE service, Ncell has also been providing attractive weekly combo pack ‘One Plan’, which empowers customers to enjoy data, voice along with free unlimited music streaming/downloads via Yonder Music app under a single plan. Under this plan, customers can choose from any of the three available packs priced at NPR 150, NPR 300 and NPR 500 and get attractive data, talk time and SMS volume, as per their requirements. Customers can also buy data packs as per their need by dialing *17123#.

Text message alerts prove life saver in flood-hit Nepal

2017-08-23T10:20:00.000+05:45

By Arun Karki

TADUWA, Nepal (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - It was a simple text message that saved Shreejana Pariyar from being washed to oblivion along with all her worldly goods when flash floods devastated western Nepal last week.

A day after the Babai river flooded her home in Taduwa village - carrying off everything but the beds and leaving a muddy mess in its wake - Pariyar delivered a baby son.

“I feel luck to be alive,” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, cradling her newborn on the porch of her home.

“The water swept away food, clothes, kitchen utensils and everything I kept inside, apart from the beds,” she added.

Local charities say hundreds of lives were saved, possibly thousands, thanks to the mass government text alerts, which enabled people to flee before the worst rains hit.

Dinanath Bhandari, a program coordinator at Practical Action, said the alerts had led to the evacuation of more than 4,700 people from their homes in the Babai river basin.

MASS EVACUATION

With her husband away on a seasonal job in Saudi Arabia, Pariyar’s neighbors took her to a nearby school just hours before the flood reached her home, having received a text message alerting them to the impending disaster.

“The Babai flood water level is constantly rising above the danger level – so please leave the area and find another safe place nearby,” read the text from the Nepalese government.

Heavy monsoon rains in Nepal have killed at least 141 people since they hit on August 12, according to the government, with many still reported missing. With flood waters receding, aid workers voice rising concerns about food shortages and water-borne diseases.

Twenty seven of the country’s 75 districts - including Bardiya district, where Taduwa is located - were either submerged or hit by landslides, leaving villages and communities stranded without food, water and electricity.

It could all have been much worse.

More than 4,000 people were evacuated after a series of text alerts were sent by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology to 50,000 people living in the flood-prone Babai river area, said Practical Action, a charity working in the area.

Mangal Budha Chhetri, a local community leader who coordinated early warning efforts in Taduwa, said the text alerts saved 450 lives in his village alone.

Bir Bahadur Chand, a hydrologist working at the department, explained that “a water gauge station set up in Chepang, a nearby village, reads water levels and sends real-time data to the department’s flood forecasting team, who use it as a basis for issuing alerts.”

“When the Babai riverbank started to overflow on August 12, we assessed that the water would take about three hours to reach Taduwa from Chepang, so we sent text alerts to 50,000 users living in the area,” he added.

The messages were sent through telecom operators Nepal Telecom and Ncell, both of which had agreed to lend their messaging service to flood-hit areas for free, Chand explained.

NEAR MISS

When Pariyar went home after the flood, the ground floor of her house was covered with mud and “completely uninhabitable”.

“So I spend day and night on my front porch while I use the money my husband sends to hire workers to renovate the house,” she said.

Chhetri said that Taduwa village was “muddy everywhere”.

“Maize and paddy fields around the area were badly damaged and the flood swept away everything people had kept inside.”

Sumitra Budhathoki, a mother of three from Taduwa who also received the alerts, said her family initially hesitated to leave “because the flood did not seem so bad in the beginning”.

“But after 24 hours, the flood swamped all of the houses in the village,” she added.

“So if we had stayed, we all would have died.”

WHERE’S THE RESILIENCE?

Chand said that although “floods still regularly wreak havoc across the country, we have become much better at informing communities – through text alerts or flood sirens – about weather shocks and convincing them to evacuate their homes.”

While the government has been issuing text alerts ahead of floods since 2015, more people are now taking action and leaving their homes, thanks to local efforts to raise awareness of potential disasters, he added.

However, Bhandari from Practical Action says the government needs to work more with local authorities and NGOs to help people become more resilient to such disasters in the long run.

“Over the past years, thousands of people have died due to floods or landslides but they could have been saved if there were better coordination and timely communication between local and national authorities,” he said.

For now, families such as Putali Sunar’s who lost their home to the floods still worry about their future.

“I do not know how long we can survive from dry food – the only thing left to eat,” she said.

“We may be alive but we are afraid.”

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nepal-floods-disaster-idUSKCN1B40BQ

Ncell customers in flood and landslides affected districts send over 16.6m free SMS

2017-08-17T15:57:00.000+05:45

Ncell customers in flood and landslides affected districts have sent over 16.6 million text messages, utilizing free SMS service provided by the company to ensure communications of customers.

The company, in a bid to support customers stay in touch during the time of natural disaster and contribute to rescue and relief operations, had provided 50 free SMS per day per customer. Free SMS service was made available to the customers residing in government defined 23 affected districts until Tuesday (August 15) as per directives of the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA).

Ncell had also made the balance transfer facility free to ensure availability of voice and data services. That is not all; it had increased amount of Saapati to NPR 60. Likewise, the company operated free emergency call center number 9008 targeting customers in flood hit districts to support to remain in contact with their family and friends.

“We have received very good response about the 50 free SMS, free of charge balance transfer facility, increased Saapati amount and operation of free emergency call number 9008 as these initiatives supported our beloved customers in establishing contact with dear ones and also eased rescue and relief works,” said Pranay Acharya, corporate services director of Ncell. He also informed that with water level receding, additional BTS towers have now been brought into operation.

“In few places, there were problems due to lack of electricity supply and risk in operation of diesel generators. We are now providing service to our customers with 97 percent site up and running,” said Acharya. Ncell, which has been providing various services to customers during the time of natural disaster to stay connected, has also been sending SMS alerts to customers in flood and landslide prone areas in collaboration with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM).

Under this program, Ncell during the one week period of August 8 to August 14 has sent over 6 million SMS alerts. The alerts were sent to customers residing in lower basins of various major rivers based on the SMS contents provided by DHM as per water level in the rivers. In a bid to reduce damages from flood and landslides, DHM informs Ncell to send alert SMS depending up on the situation of water level in the rivers. DHM and Ncell last year had signed a memorandum of understanding to send SMS alerts.

Facebook turns to original TV content with new Watch tab

2017-08-10T14:59:00.000+05:45

Facebook Inc.’s push toward original video content will take a big step forward Thursday with the launch of a new section, dubbed Watch, as reported by Market Watch.

The new tab, which Facebook FB, -0.03% said late Wednesday will launch for a limited number of U.S. users for now, will feature about 40 original series, with plans to eventually scale up to hundreds of shows. Facebook said it will become available to more users in the coming weeks.

The Mountain View, Calif., social network is hoping to tap into lucrative TV advertising revenue to boost its ever-expanding bottom line. If successful, Watch could stem the ad-load slowdown for the rest of the year that Chief Financial Officer David Wehner warned about last month when Facebook filed its quarterly earnings.

Facebook also hopes the Watch tab will open up a new method of advertising that doesn’t clutter users’ News Feeds, and keep its 2 billion users on its site longer.

Facebook said it will finance some of the shows itself at first, “to help inspire creators and seed the ecosystem.” TechCrunch reported that the company will take 45% of the ad revenues from videos produced by its partners.

In May, Reuters reported that video-content producers such as Buzzfeed, Vox Media and Group Nine Media were developing shows for Facebook.

After introducing a “Video” tab last year, Facebook said Watch will “make it even easier to catch up” with favorite videos from outside users’ News Feeds.

“Watch is personalized to help you discover new shows, organized around what your friends and communities are watching,” Daniel Danker, Facebook’s director of product, said in a statement Wednesday.

“Watch is a platform for all creators and publishers to find an audience, build a community of passionate fans, and earn money for their work,” Danker said. Shows will be organized into sections such as “Most Talked About,” “What’s Making People Laugh” and What Friends Are Watching.”

When it debuts, Watch will feature a range of comedies, reality shows and live sports, such as: “Daily Nas,” where the rapper Nas interacts with fans; “Tastemade’s Kitchen Little,” a humorous how-to cooking show where children share recipes with professional chefs; “Returning the Favor,” in which former “Dirty Jobs” host Mike Rowe rewards people who’ve helped their communities; and weekly Major League Baseball games.

In a not-so-subtle poke at one of its top competitors, Watch will debut on the same day Snap Inc. SNAP, +4.15% — which lately has been battered by Facebook-owned Instagram — reports its

MoIC plans to implement merger policy within three months

2017-08-09T15:10:00.001+05:45

What are the plans in telecommunications sector?

The government is working out formulate a merger and acquisition policy, allowing telecom companies to merge. The line ministry of the telecom sector, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) has said that the policy will come into effect within three months.

MoIC, unveiling its annual plan for the current fiscal year 2017/18 recently, said, “With objective to provide quality service by creating healthy competition environment in telecommunications sector, merger and acquisition related regulation will be taken approval and implemented within three months for a provision that allows operators provide service by merging with each other.”

Telecom regulator—Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) — has prepared a draft of the merger and acquisition guideline, incorporating a provision to allow the telecom companies merger with each other or a telecom firm to acquire another. The policy targets to encourage telecom firms to merge and reduce the number of telecom firms operating in the country.

Currently, there are six telecom companies—Ncell, Nepal Telecom, Smart Telecom, United Telecom Limited, Nepal Satellite Telecom and STM Sanchar—are into operation. Among them, Ncell and Nepal Telecom are two big operators.

Below are the telecommunications related points incorporated in the action plan of MoIC for the current fiscal year 2017/18;

- Works to start within three months to prepare Information Super Highway by laying optical fiber in national highway and roads that connect district headquarters within two years and to fiber along with the Mid-Hill Highway.

- Works will be started by mid-September 2017 to extend internet service to municipalities, rural municipalities, ward offices, school (higher secondary level) and healthcare centers of 11 most affected districts from the earthquake except Kathmandu Valley. Under this, free internet facility will be provided in 23 municipalities and 283 ward offices under them, 85 rural municipalities and their 663 ward offices, 525 healthcare service centers and 826 higher secondary schools for two years.

- Internet service will be extended to municipalities, rural municipalities and ward offices, schools (higher secondary level) and 1110 locations of health care centers of eight districts—Rolpa, Rukum, Jajarkot, Kalikot, Dolpa, Jumla, Humla and Mugu—including that of Karnali. In these places, works have been initiated to start the installation of necessary equipment after mid-September 2017 and complete by mid-September 2018.

- Internet service will be extended through the optical fiber in 1205 locations of municipalities, rural municipalities and ward offices, schools (high secondary level) and healthcare centers of eight districts of Siraha, Saptari, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara and Parsa of the Province No. 2. Works have been initiated to start equipment installation from Mangshir 2074 (Mid-November to Mid-December 2017) and complete by Kartik 2075 (Mid-November 2018).

- Nepal Telecom’s service will be expanded in Bachu and Bichhya of Bara District, where communications service has not reached as of now, within three months.

- Free Wi-Fi service (for a fixed time) will be provided within three months in Padma Kanya Campus under the Tribhuwan University for two years.

- With an objective to provide quality service by creating healthy competition environment in the telecommunications sector, merger and acquisition related regulation will be taken approval and implemented within three months for a provision that allows operators provide service by merging with each other.

- To discourage dual investments being made in the telecommunications sector and reduce telecommunication equipment imports, infrastructure sharing regulation will be formulated within a month to establish an independent infrastructure development company.

- In a bid to cover innovative technology evolving in the telecommunications sector and their use, diversify telecommunications service, expand and regulate, and make the service easily available and reliable, a draft of the Telecommunication Act 1997 will be prepared within three months by making time relevant changes.

- Free Wi-Fi service will be made available within few months in the premises of the Ministry of Communications and Information and Media Village located in Sinamangal where journalists frequently visit and as they have been using the internet more.

- Considering the contribution and needs of the journalists for the development of the nation, a provision will be introduced to provide 60% discount to journalists who use ADSL.

Ncell provides Saapati of Rs 40

2017-08-02T13:45:00.000+05:45

Prepaid customers can take the service by dialing *9988# when main balance drops to Rs 5 or less

There is a good news for Ncell pre-paid customers. Ncell has doubled the amount of Saapati to Rs 40 allowing customers to enjoy telecom services even as they are unable to top up balance due to various reason. Customers can simply dial *9988# and follow the instruction to take the Saapati.

Saapati has remained as one of the much-admired services of Ncell. The company increased the credit limit by increasing the credit limited under Saapati facility to Rs 40 recently to mark the 5th anniversary of successful operation of the service.
What makes the scheme special is that there is no change in the service fee of Rs 2.51 including tax which was being charged for Saapati of Rs 20 for last five years.

The increased credit limit has come into effect from August 2. The company has been providing the Saapati facility since 2012 to prepaid customers whose main balance is Rs 5 or less under its initiative which aimed at making sure customers are able to communicate even when they are not able to recharge or in emergency situations.

“Saapati has been among the much-appreciated service given the purpose it serves. Hence, on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of this service, we are happy to unveil Double Saapati offer. We believe this will add value and contribute to enabling our customers to stay connected for a longer period even when they are not able to recharge,” said Milan Sharma, corporate communications expert of Ncell.

All prepaid customers who have been using Ncell for at least two months are eligible to take Saapati facility. Customers can use the balance received under the facility to make calls and send SMS to any network, and also to use the internet and other services in the Ncell network.

Prepaid customers can also take the facility by just sending a blank SMS to 9988. The credited balance of Rs 40 and service charge Rs 2 (exclusive of tax) will be deducted when the customers top up their balance. If the recharged amount is less than Rs 40, the entire balance will be deducted and the remaining credit shall be deducted upon the next recharge. Customers can dial 17109 to get information about the service.

Double Saapati offer will remain in place for 90 days. Customers can take the service as many times as they need. Previous credit must be cleared to avail the Saapati facility. Customers can dial *901# to get information about remaining balance.

Ncell 4G/LTE reaches 17 cities

2017-08-02T10:19:00.001+05:45

10 more cities connected with 4G

Leading private sector telecom company Ncell has expanded its fourth generation (4G)/long term evolution (LTE) service in 10 more cities, making the new high-speed mobile broadband service available in various cities. It has officially launched the service in the additional cities from Tuesday.

With this launched, Ncell’s 4G will now be accessible in a total of 17 cities of 14 districts. As per the company, the 10 cities that are getting connected with the service officially from Tuesday are Biratnagar, Birtamode, Damak, Dharan, Bharatpur, Hetauda, Birjung, Bhairahawa, Butwal and Nepalgunj. Customers have already started to take benefit from the service in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhakatapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Pokhara and Damauli.

“We are delighted to announce launch of Ncell 4G in 10 more cities. The launch demonstrates Ncell’s commitment to swiftly roll out 4G so that more and more customers across Nepal can access high-speed mobile broadband and reap the benefits. The launch has made Ncell 4G service available to 15.06% of Nepali population,” said Milan Sharma, corporate communications expert of Ncell.

All Ncell subscribers of the 17 cities who possess 4G SIM (U-SIM) with 4G compatible handset, are now able to experience the 4G connectivity. Customers who still have not changed their SIM to 4G SIM can easily upgrade the 4G SIM for free of charges by visiting nearby Ncell Center or new customers can subscribe SIM to enjoy faster and higher quality of mobile broadband, according to a press release issued by Ncell on Monday.

How to get access to 4G

Customers can dial *324# to start enjoying 4G service and 30 days of free Yonder Music which makes an extensive digital library of over 20 million songs including 15,000 Nepali songs. Customer can query their SIM type by sending SMS to 324 typing Q. To mark the milestone of launching of the 4G in additional 10 cities, the company is providing free music streaming/downloads service through Yonder Music app for 30 days to customers who use data service through Ncell’s 4G SIM.

What 4G connectivity offers

The 4G/LTE empowers ICT industry, technopreneurs, media and other industries, contributing to put the economy on higher growth trajectory, besides enhancing better customer experience. It offers better bandwidth, lower latency and improves spectrum efficiency, enabling customers to use more applications on mobile devices, provide real-time sharing of large files and media streaming, and immediate delivery of time-sensitive data.

Ncell 4G expansion plan

Under first phase, Ncell 4G was launched in Kathmandu Valley including in Nagarkot, Banepa and Dhulikhel on June 1 and the service was expanded in Pokhara and Damauli on July 1.

Ncell is further planning and testing 4G service in other cities, embracing a target to take 4G in 40 cities by 2018 to enable the customers to reap benefit from new opportunities. “We will continue to expand 4G/LTE in other parts of the country in a phase-wise manner, as a part of our vision to contribute to the goals of National Broadband Policy and Digital Nepal,” said Sharma. Ncell will continue to unveil more and exciting offers to the customers, whereby they will be able to enjoy fast 4G connectivity and access unlimited videos for free, among others, states Ncell press release.

What are the offers

In line with introduction of the 4G/LTE service, Ncell has also been providing attractive weekly combo pack ‘One Plan’, which empowers customers to enjoy data, voice along with free unlimited music streaming/downloads via Yonder Music app under a single plan. Under this plan, customers can choose from any of the three available packs priced at NPR 150, NPR 300 and NPR 500 and get attractive data, talk time and SMS volume, as per their requirements, the release of the company states. Customers can also buy data packs as per their need by dialing *17123#.

Ncell 3G to reach 60pc population by the end of 2018

2017-07-20T15:12:00.000+05:45

Private sector GSM mobile operator—Ncell has said that the company will expand its 3G network focusing remote and rural parts of the country, contributing in making high speed mobile connectivity available for people living in such areas to reap benefit of mobile broadband.

Ncell which had launched its 3G service in 2010, has stated that by expanding the 3G network in line with the permission granted by the government for technology neutrality, the service will be made accessible for 60 percent population of the country by the end of 2018.
It has already taken the service to more than 65 districts of the Nepal, covering more 30 percent population.

Access to fast wireless internet connection was just a dream till the private sector company launched its fast 3G ensuring speed of up to 3.6Mbps speed back in 2010. This was also the milestone as it enabled Nepali customers to enjoy online videos without buffering. Now the company in its 3G service segment has been providing speed of up to 21 Mbps in Kathmandu Valley after network modernization in 2015 and the same speed of 3G connection is also available in the Everest region.

With technology neutrality, the company can enable more than 17 million Nepali to enjoy fast mobile internet service, as per news reports. Planned 3G expansion of Ncell will cover areas that include more than 1,000 rural and remote villages like Deuralikot of Bajhang, Shreenagar of Mugu, Jhong in Mustang, Malta of Lalitpur and Tingla of Solukhumbu. “These villages will have access to the fast mobile internet for the first time in their life, which will contribute to bridging the prevailing digital divide, bringing immense positive changes in the lives of people, the economy of those communities and social arena,” the company release states.

Ncell has said that the expansion of high-speed mobile broadband will contribute to the country’s vision of ‘Digital Nepal’. In a press statement issued last month, it has said that the company has committed to resources, knowledge transfer and investment with up to Rs 30 billion in infrastructure and services accordingly which will contribute to achieving the goal of digital Nepal.

As a part of the commitment to nation building, the company has already made its 4G service available in Kathmandu Valley, Banepa, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Pokhara and Damauli. With this, its 4G service has been made available to 10.3 percent population of the country and it has also targeted to make the service accessible to 15 percent population by expanding it to at least 15 major cities of the country by the end of this year.