Waiting for 5G internet service

Nepal Telecom had received permission from the Telecommunication Authority four years ago for testing 5G with frequencies. The authority has not yet received the test report. While neighboring countries are rapidly expanding 5G services, it is interesting that Nepal is still confused.

The Telecommunication Authority had given permission to Nepal Telecom to test 5G in March 2077. For the trial, the authority provided free 60 MHz frequency under 2600 MHz band to the telecom for a maximum period of one year. The 5G procedure was made with the provision that users should be allowed to use 5G for free during the trial period, withdraw the frequency after the trial period is over, and the authority can withdraw the approval if there is no progress in equipment import and connection even after three months of approval for the trial.

However, experts have been doubting the test which was started by Telecom only on 22nd of January 2079 after two years. Telecom had announced that the 5G test had started from Telecom's offices in Babarmahal and Sundhara in Kathmandu. But the mobile users with 5G facility did not even get the test needle of the telecom. Later, many people did not believe when Telecom claimed that there was an internal test in Pokhara and Birgunj as well. The report of how the test was conducted, how the experience was, and what the results were, has not been made public yet. The Authority has requested a report by correspondence with Telecom with the conclusion that the expansion of 5G's commercial services is being delayed. On the other hand, the private service provider Ncell, which has been complaining of unfair treatment without giving them permission to test, has released a new data plan in the form of 5G Vision.

5G is the latest generation of internet. It has been almost four and a half decades since the first generation Wan Ji arrived. It has been more than a decade and a half since the launch of 4G service in the world. But the commercial service of 4G was started very late in Nepal. Due to 4G, the smartphone has become like a small computer. It has brought about a transformation in the way of working. The number of digital transactions through mobile apps is increasing rapidly in Nepal. The situation of having to queue for hours to buy or get a service is changing. High-speed Internet (5G) can further change digital behavior, creating new opportunities. 5G can have an impact on the country's economy as it helps businesses.

Currently there are significant users of 3G internet in Nepal. By July last year, the number of 3G users was 77 lakh 18 thousand 284. The number of people moving from 3G to 4G is increasing rapidly. As the 5G service continues to expand, the further expansion and quality improvement of the existing 4G service should not be forgotten. If it is thought to go to 5G only after expanding the 4G service throughout the country, Nepal will fall behind in the competition with other countries.

After Nepal has expanded the full capacity 4G nationwide, the use of new generation mobile internet has already started in other countries. It is not reasonable to delay starting the commercial service just because the number of mobile devices running 5G is low. In terms of 4G, the number of mobiles with its facility increased rapidly after the service was launched. Therefore, the government should prepare the necessary infrastructure and start the commercial service of 5G through the main big cities and expand it as soon as possible.