Nepal Telecom (NT) plans to launch the fourth generation (4G) mobile telecommunications technology in metropolis and sub-metropolis from the next fiscal year.

The state-run telecom company has already sought approval from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to start the 4G service.

Introduction of the 4G service is part of NT’s new roadmap, which aims at improving service quality and expansion. NT will also expand its 3G service across the country, as per its new roadmap. “It has been more than a year since we requested the NTA to allow us to launch the 4G service,” said NT Managing Director Buddhi Prasad Acharya. “We will kick start the expansion as soon as we get the approval.”

Nepal Telecom on Wednesday presented the roadmap for improving the quality of its services, by making the organisation more competitive and winning the customers’ trust and confidence. The roadmap was unveiled at the presence of Minister for Information and Communications Sherdhan Rai.

On the occasion, Minister Rai said efforts were underway to make the NT services widely accessible and to prove it as a reliable and quality telecom service provider. He urged the company to come up with a new scheme for the benefits of its customers. He also urged the employees of the ministry’s subordinate bodies to remain accountable to duties and offices.

Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communication Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, who is also the company’s chair, said he will set a deadline for the organisational reforms of the company, assuring “incredible results” within the next two years.  

All the company employees should be clearly informed about their duties, they should work for eight hours a day and no stone will be left unturned to make the organisation more competent, he stressed.