Nepal preparing to allocate 4G spectrum

Nepal's Ministry of Information and Communications is reportedly planning to amend spectrum usage policy to allow the nation's operators to commercially launch 4G services.

The ministry has decided to adopt a technology neutral policy to allow operators to launch 4G using the 1800-MHz spectrum band, the Kathmandu Post reported.

The ministry had asked previously asked telecoms regulator NTA to devise a 4G action plan within a week that would involve allocating 4G spectrum by the end of the fiscal year in mid-July, the report states.

In response the NTA appointed a consultant to determine spectrum prices, and expects to have the action plan and pricing policy ready to present by tomorrow.

The NTA has repeatedly denied requests from operators including Nepal Telecom and Ncell to allow them to launch 4G services due to confusion over spectrum usage policy. Amending the legislation would clear up this confusion and pave the way for rollouts.

The ministry has also asked the authority to submit a draft of a new M&A policy for telecom operators and prepare a detailed plan for the proceeds of the Rural Telecom Development Fund.