Nepal Telecom (Ntc) recently began its 5G trial on February 05, 2022, marking the company’s 19th anniversary. The trial took place at the Babarmahal and Sundhara sites, with plans for further expansion and public access in the near future. However, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) decided to take back the frequency before the public could experience the advanced network due to the lack of a sufficient number of 5G devices.
The company had been conducting internal testing of the 5G network for over two years in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Birgunj. Despite the lack of compatible devices, Ntc had ambitious plans to provide 5G access to the public. Communication Minister Rekha Sharma even mentioned the possibility of 5G access for smartphone users in Nepal by 2081.
In terms of infrastructure, Ntc had installed the necessary equipment in towers across various locations, but the trial remained limited to Ntc employees. The company had plans to extend the trial to the remaining provinces in Nepal, including Koshi, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim.
Ntc initially planned to start with Non-standalone architecture (NSA) 5G and then transition to Standalone (SA) infrastructure. NSA allows operators to utilize existing telco equipment with slight modifications for 5G, while SA operates on dedicated infrastructures. Currently, Ntc is testing 5G devices on its network from four operational trial sites.
The company aims to offer free access to the 5G network during the trial phase across all seven provinces. This initiative would allow users with compatible handsets to experience the new network for free, providing valuable insights for both users and the service provider.
Ntc received approval and spectrum for 5G from NTA in 2021, utilizing the 2600 MHz band for its operations. The company has a 60 MHz frequency bandwidth for 5G, offering a mix of coverage and speed potential. While the trial reportedly delivered up to 1 Gbps download speed, real-world usage may vary, with users likely to experience speeds between 300-400 Mbps.
Despite the challenges and delays in the 5G trial, Ntc remains committed to launching the network and contributing to the digital transformation of Nepal. The adoption of 5G technology is crucial for advancing the digital economy, bridging the digital divide, and enhancing services like telemedicine and industrial operations.
As neighboring countries like India make progress in deploying 5G networks, Nepal’s ambitions for digital transformation should not be hindered by regulatory challenges. It is essential for NTA and Ntc to collaborate effectively to bring 5G to the public and drive innovation and connectivity in the country. The transition to 5G will also lead to the phasing out of legacy networks like 2G and 3G, paving the way for a more advanced and efficient telecommunications landscape in Nepal.