KATHMANDU: The service operating license of Ncell, a significant telecommunications provider in Nepal, has been successfully extended for an additional five years. The Council of Ministers' decision on August 29 led to the confirmation of its renewal. According to Santosh Paudel, spokesman for the Nepal Telecommunication Authority, Ncell has paid the first installment of NPR 5 billion as part of the renewal procedure. The remaining debt is to be settled in three subsequent installments with a 10 percent interest.
Ncell had requested the option to pay the renewal fee in installments under the Telecommunication Act of 2053 and related regulations, which initially delayed the renewal process. The Council of Ministers approved this request on August 29, allowing Ncell to fulfill the fee in four installments. The company completed the process on Sunday by making the initial payment of NPR 5 billion.
Prior to this, on May 27, Ncell had paid NPR 4 billion to the Nepal Telecommunication Authority and requested installment facilities for the remaining balance. Due to legal constraints, the decision was delayed, but with the renewal now in place, Ncell will continue its operations for the next five years. After this period, the license will automatically transfer to government ownership as per the legal and regulatory framework.
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