Nepal Telecom Expands 4G Services to Remote Areas

Kathmandu. Telecommunication services are being expanded in remote settlements that are geographically difficult and sparsely populated, with the objective of providing digital access to all citizens.

Telecommunication services are being expanded in such remote settlements, even by transporting equipment and materials by helicopter. Nepal Telecom is working in accordance with the government's commitment to expand internet services in remote geographies. The telecom has stated that although commercial benefits cannot be gained from the investment made in such places, the reduction of the digital divide is being prioritized.

The policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84 also mentions the expansion of digital access to remote areas and the reduction of the digital divide. Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dr. Vikram Timilsina also instructed to prioritize the expansion of digital access.

For this, necessary coordination, cooperation, and guidance are also being provided by the ministry. Nepal Telecom is working in accordance with the government's plan to fully implement 4G service and simultaneously launch 5G service. The ministry has stated that the path for technology expansion has been paved by opening the 3300-3700 MHz band for 5G service operation.

Nepal Telecom's Deputy Spokesperson Praxid Thapa Chhetri said that work is being prioritized to expand internet and mobile services in remote and far-flung areas as well. According to him, services are being expanded by evaluating which technology is appropriate according to the geographical condition and need, using the latest technology.

He informed that Nepal Telecom is working according to the plan to expand 'optical fiber' as much as possible. Similarly, in places where electricity is not available, communication services are being operated by supplying electricity through solar towers. He said that services are being provided using VSAT technology in remote areas.

According to Telecom, 4G service was successfully launched a few days ago at a height of approximately 3900 meters above sea level in Laha of Tripurasundari Municipality-6 and in the Dunai area under Thuli Bheri Municipality in Dolpa district. In Tripurasundari Laha, 2G was being operated by solar power, but after upgrading the site, installing hydropower, and installing an 18-meter pole, 4G service has become operational. This has expanded high-speed 4G mobile broadband service in the settlements of Tripurasundari-6, Laha, Khadang, Phulching, Palang village, and on the Jajarkot-Dolpa highway, benefiting approximately 1200 mobile users in about 250 households.

Similarly, a tower has been installed at an altitude of 3900 meters at Thala Danda, Thuli Bheri Municipality-1, Dolpa. 4G service has become operational here after installing a high-capacity solar energy system and a 25-meter tower. From here, high-speed 4G service has been expanded in Thala village, Locha village, Tipla, Kulmi of Thuli Bheri Municipality Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4, and Baijabaada, Vanthada, Sahartara, Gumbatara, Tuptara, Laban Bagar of Kaike Rural Municipality, and the Dunai Sahartara trail. It is reported that more than 3200 mobile users in about 800 households have benefited from this.

4G service has been started from last Friday at an altitude of 3400 meters in the Olangchungola area of Taplejung. With this service, mobile network facilities have become available in Olangchungola, Yangma, Jaritar, Lumbsumba trail's Digasamba, and areas around Langyung under the Great Himalayan Trail.

Similarly, 4G service has also been launched in the Pathibhara temple area of Taplejung. Mobile network facilities have been expanded in the Pathibhara temple premises, Kaflepati, Deurali, Bhalugaunda, and various places on the trail leading to the temple.

Nepal Telecom has successfully launched 4G service at Ghunsa, 3850 meters, in Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-6, Taplejung. Previously, only 2G service was available via satellite in this area, but now high-speed mobile internet service has been expanded. Mobile network facilities will be available in Ghunsa, Phale, Khambachen, Lhonak, and areas on the trail leading to Kanchenjunga Base Camp.

Nepal Telecom has also expanded and upgraded its telecommunication network in remote and high-altitude areas of Sankhuwasabha district. This has provided essential communication facilities to local residents and tourists. A new BTS tower installed in the Cheksedanda area of Makalu Rural Municipality-2, Sankhuwasabha, has recently become operational. This tower provides mobile network in various settlements of Makalu Rural Municipality-2, some areas of Ward No. 3, and Mangsima of Ward No. 5.

Additionally, Nepal Telecom has installed a microwave radio repeater and BTS (Tasithawa) at Simbopwa Danda. Installing a tower at this location, at an altitude of approximately 3700 meters, was challenging. Telecom has stated that it took about three years to transport equipment and complete construction in this area, which is about a six-hour steep climb above the residential area.

The tower at Simbopwa Danda provides mobile network coverage in remote settlements like Lingam and Chhumsur of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality and the upper section of the Koshi Highway. Telecom states that with the installation of a microwave repeater station (Kimathanka), it has become possible to extend the microwave link to Kimathanka.

Similarly, Telecom has launched 4G service based on microwave radio in Kimathanka, on the northern border of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality. In this extremely remote area connected to the North-South Koshi Highway, only satellite-based 2G voice service was previously operational.

Telecom has been providing 2G technology-based mobile, telephone, and data services by installing satellite technology-based GSM mobile and VSAT telecenter equipment in various remote and difficult locations across the country. In the current fiscal year, GSM mobile service via satellite has been expanded to four locations: Kungaun and Nijal in Dolpa, Na-Gaun in Dolkha, and Chandanbari in Rasuwa. Currently, Telecom is providing mobile services through this technology in 38 different locations. Of these, Dolpa district has the highest number of 14 'sites'. These sites are in Chharka-Tansong, Chharka, Dho, Ghunsapas, Kalang, Mukot, Nijal, Phoksundo, Salyang, Simbadanda, Simenkomas, Tinje, Bhijer, and Kungaun in Dolpa.

Services have been provided via satellite in Gothi, Raya, Rodikot, Srinagar, and Shreemashtha in Humla; Mugu Gaun, Pulu, Rara (Murma), Soru Kot, and Bhi in Mugu; Bhimthang, Phu, and Nar in Manang; Beding and Na-Gaun in Dolkha; Ghunsa and Olangchungola in Taplejung; Gorakshep and Monju in Solukhumbu; Gosainkunda and Chandanbari in Rasuwa; Tinkar in Darchula; Bichha in Bajura; and Gothichaur in Jumla.

Telecom is preparing to expand 4G service in the Badimalika temple area of Bajura at an altitude of 4200 meters. Furthermore, studies have been initiated for the expansion of 4G service in the Everest Base Camp area.

The Government of Nepal is actively working on the priority of reducing the digital divide and providing quality communication services to all citizens. Telecom has stated that the campaign to digitally connect settlements in remote areas across the country will continue.

With the operation of 4G service, online classes, digital payments, social media, email, and various online services can be used easily. This is expected to support local administration, security, health, and educational activities, and contribute positively to tourism promotion, information dissemination, and overall regional development by connecting remote mountainous regions with modern digital networks.