Kailash Neupane, spokesperson at NTA, said it has requested the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) to publish a notice regarding the starting of wireless broadband service in the country in the gadget. “Once the notice is published, we will invite national and international companies to operate wireless broadband service,” he added.
A source at MoIC told myrepublica.com that the government will open tender for interested companies to start wireless broadband service after the notice is published in the gadget.
Ambar Sthapit, deputy director at NTA, informed that the company getting license to operate wireless broadband service can also operate Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and internet audio video phone. It can also have the access for call termination and call transfer through VOIP.
NTA has recommended including Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) technology in the wireless broadband services package. WiMax is the improved form of the technology which is used for wide range of wireless coverage through internet.
"Though WiMax is a new technology, we can bring about new changes by adopting it,” Neupane said. Neupane said e-governance and distance learning will also be included in the project.
The program is being implemented under the grant assistance of Asian Development Bank and has to be fully completed by 2015. Nepal has signed an agreement with ADB under which it will get a grant of $7.9 million for rural e-community and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development.
The 38 selected target districts represent all zones except Bagmati. The program aims to enhance capacity and explore new opportunities for rural population through information and technology.
Sthapit hoped that the services offered under the programs will be cheaper and competitive as the program as it the program is being implemented under the grant assistance of ADB. “The telephone through wireless technology can be cheaper,” he added.
Telecommunication companies and internet service providers (ISPs) are expected to participate in the tender process. Foreign firms can operate the services by forming joint ventures providing a minimum of 20 percent stake to Nepali partners.
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Quelle/Source: Republica, 06.04.2010
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