4G Sim Card in Nepal still a dream vs reality

Nepal Telecom (NT) is launching the 4G WiMAX IEEE 802.16e service first time in Nepal. Nepal Telecom proudly offers WiMAX broadband internet service. WiMAX service is available throughout the country. This wimax is only for internet surfing through its own cpe.

Currently Both national wide telecom Nepal telecom and Ncell are in the race but still not sure which will top the race.

Currently both telecom offers 3G sim card in Nepal but 4G Network and 4G compatible sim card is still a dream away.

3G Service (WCDMA Service)

To fulfill the ever growing demands and to browse and access the web pages like video based programs (Live TV browsing) NT installed WCDMA based 3G system which offers 384 kbps of downloading and 64kbps of uploading data speed.

Nepal Telecom (NT), Nepal’s largest telecommunication provider, is planning to launch fourth generation (4G) technology mobile service within a year. The company has begun negotiations with the concerned companies to upgrade its technology for launching 4G technologies.

Besides, the state-owned telecom giant also plans to add 10 million mobile lines across the country.

Talking to The Rising Nepal, Gunakeshari Pradhan, Joint Spokesperson at the NT, said that the preparations to upgrade the existing mobile service into 4G technology were underway.

She informed that the company has begun negotiations with the two Chinese companies for upgrading its technologies.

She, however, said that the finalisation of the deal was yet to be completed.

"The NT has been working to distribute 100,000 4G SIMs to its customers at the beginning. We are working to add 40BTS towers for upgrading the technology," she said adding, "For this, the company has been dealing with ZTE and Huawei Technologies, two Chinese companies to expand its services in the country."

According to NT, 4G service will have high speed data services of 32 mbps to 45 mbps. In telecommunications, 4G is the fourth generation of cellular mobile communications standards.

It is a successor of the third generation (3G) standards. A 4G system provides mobile ultra-broadband Internet access, for example to laptops with USB wireless modems, to smartphones, and to other mobile devices. Conceivable applications include amended mobile web access, IP telephony, gaming services, high-definition mobile TV, video conferencing and 3D television.

NT plans to completely re-design the network in the Kathmandu Valley to address problems related to its service quality.

Similarly, networks will be built in major cities like Biratnagar, Birgunj, Pokhara and Nepalgunj for 4G services with a priority on data and voice services. The project is expected to be completed by 2015.

Likewise, the NT has planned to increase its subscribers to 10 million. Similarly, the company has planned to improve the services of its 3G and 2.5G technologies.

Currently, 3G service is available in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Telecom has about 50 thousands 3G subscribers.

NT also plans to upgrade its CDMA network to an internet protocol (IP) CDMA network, so as to improve the quality of voice and data services. Telecom is also planning to distribute 2 million IP CDMA technology to its news subscribers within six months, she informed.

Nepal 4G Nepal Telecom Airspan

Nepal Telecom will use 4G equipment from Airspan Networks for the deployment of a network connecting 58 municipalities and 3,915 villages spread across Nepal.
Airspan said the network will run in the 2.3-2.4 gigahertz band, and include its Air4G high-power macro base station. The deployment process is expected to conclude within 360 days of contract signing.
Amar Nath Singh, managing director of Nepal Telecom, said: “After careful evaluation of several competing technologies, we found Airspan to offer the most comprehensive and cost-effective solution that would enable us to meet the deployment schedule requirements and deliver the promised capacity and throughput.”
Nepal Telecom has 520,000 fixed lines, 1.1 million GSM users and 48,000 CDMA users. The new network will facilitate high-speed data services to numerous households and businesses, said Airspan

	Now this is the another telecom in the race to offer 4G compatible sim card in Nepal but Still a long way
	TeliaSonera -- the parent company of Ncell -- has unveiled a plan of upgrading its network in Nepal with 4G technology provided that it recieves license and spectrum from the government. Officials of TeliaSonera unveiled the plan during the Mobile World Congress that kick-started here on Monday. The 4G technology provides faster data speed, high-quality video conferencing and faster internet access. “I can’t exactly say the date. But if we get permission and spectrum in Nepal, we are positive to operate the service,” said Håkan Dahlström, head of TeliaSonera’s Mobility Services.  Addressing a press meet in Barcelona on Tuesday, he said the 4G technology was the best medium for high speed internet. Ncell - the first private mobile operator in Nepal - had launched 3G service at the highest altitude in the world in October last year. Overwhelmed with the response that it received after the launch of 3G service in the Everest region, the company is expecting positive response with the launch of 4G service in Nepal. After Ncell upgrades its network with 4G technology, its customers can enjoy live telecast without any interruption. The technology is mainly popular for video conferencing and high speed internet. TeliaSonera has unveiled its plan of launching 4G service in most of the European countries by 2011. Officials said that in the case of Nepal, the service will be made available by 2012. A few months ago, Ncell had approached Nepal Telecom Authority - the telecom service regulator - for spectrum and license for 4G operation. NTA has yet to respond to Ncell’s request. The delay in NTA proceedings means Nepalis will need to wait some more time to enjoy 4G service. TeliaSonera has already upgraded its network with 4G technology in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Internet service through 4G technology offers bandwidth of 10 to 100 MB per second. European countries using this technology are providing 30 GB internet at 60 euros. Ncell plans to cover 90 percent of the total population by the end of this year and invest $100 million this year. It presently covers 85 percent of total population. The company is also planning to introduce value added services in new sectors this year. Along with Nepal, TeliaSonera operates mobile service in Cambodia, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Tazakhstan and others.