KATHMANDU, Nov 7: 2012
Private telecom operator Ncell has formally informed Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) and Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) that it would clear renewal fee that it owes to the telecom sector regulator on installment basis.
In a letter recently sent to MoIC and NTA, the largest GSM operator in the country said it would pay first installment of renewal fee worth Rs 2.5 billion by January, 2013. It has expressed commitment to clear remaining installments as per the conditions set by the government.
“Ncell has sent a letter expressing commitment to pay the first installment by January. We will decide on its proposal by holding our board meeting,” said Kailash Prasad Neupane, spokesperson of NTA.
About a month ago, NTA had sent letters to Ncell and Nepal Telecom (NT), instructing them to settle renewal fee on installment basis as per the cabinet decision. As per the cabinet decision, operators can clear their renewal fees on installment basis in eight years. Operators could renew their license if they start paying the installment on yearly basis.
Although NT has been saying that it would clear the dues after private operators clear their fees, the state-controlled operator is yet to respond to the instructions of the authority. “NT has yet to respond to our call,” said Neupane.
According to NTA officials, the operating license of Ncell has to be renewed by August, 2013. NT should have renewed its license two years ago.
After the payment of first installment, Ncell will have to pay another Rs 17.5 billion on annual installment basis within 2020.
As per the licensing conditions, NT and Ncell have to renew their operating licenses after 10 years. After completing 10 years of operation, they have to renew license every five years. However, NTA is not clear on renewal fee from second renewal onwards.
Another private operator - United Telecom Limited (UTL) - renewed its operating license about a month ago, paying Rs 204.18 million -- first installment of its renewal fee.
Ncell had paid committed royalty of Rs 356.58 million to the government in June.
The licensing conditions of Ncell and UTL require the operators to pay committed royalty or four percent of their total annual income, whichever is higher, as royalty fee.
Source: Republica
Private telecom operator Ncell has formally informed Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) and Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) that it would clear renewal fee that it owes to the telecom sector regulator on installment basis.
In a letter recently sent to MoIC and NTA, the largest GSM operator in the country said it would pay first installment of renewal fee worth Rs 2.5 billion by January, 2013. It has expressed commitment to clear remaining installments as per the conditions set by the government.
“Ncell has sent a letter expressing commitment to pay the first installment by January. We will decide on its proposal by holding our board meeting,” said Kailash Prasad Neupane, spokesperson of NTA.
About a month ago, NTA had sent letters to Ncell and Nepal Telecom (NT), instructing them to settle renewal fee on installment basis as per the cabinet decision. As per the cabinet decision, operators can clear their renewal fees on installment basis in eight years. Operators could renew their license if they start paying the installment on yearly basis.
Although NT has been saying that it would clear the dues after private operators clear their fees, the state-controlled operator is yet to respond to the instructions of the authority. “NT has yet to respond to our call,” said Neupane.
According to NTA officials, the operating license of Ncell has to be renewed by August, 2013. NT should have renewed its license two years ago.
After the payment of first installment, Ncell will have to pay another Rs 17.5 billion on annual installment basis within 2020.
As per the licensing conditions, NT and Ncell have to renew their operating licenses after 10 years. After completing 10 years of operation, they have to renew license every five years. However, NTA is not clear on renewal fee from second renewal onwards.
Another private operator - United Telecom Limited (UTL) - renewed its operating license about a month ago, paying Rs 204.18 million -- first installment of its renewal fee.
Ncell had paid committed royalty of Rs 356.58 million to the government in June.
The licensing conditions of Ncell and UTL require the operators to pay committed royalty or four percent of their total annual income, whichever is higher, as royalty fee.
Source: Republica
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