The Nepal Telecommunications Authority has revoked the licences of two internet service providers. In a public notice issued on Monday, the authority announced that the licences of C. Data Communication and Life Net Pvt Ltd had been cancelled.

The authority stated that C. Data Communication failed to operate services as per the terms of its licence, leading to its cancellation under section 28 (1) of the Telecommunications Act, 1997. According to the provision, the authority has the right to cancel a licence if the licensee fails to provide telecommunications services within the stipulated time frame.

C. Data Communication, based in Birgunj-16, Parsa, was granted its licence on February 2, 2020, to provide internet service including email. The authority stated that the licence was revoked with effect from October 18.

Similarly, the licence of Life Net Pvt Ltd, based in Birendranagar-6, Surkhet, was automatically cancelled on September 15 due to the company’s failure to submit a renewal application within the given timeframe. The authority also mentioned in its notice that the company had failed to pay the necessary dues, and if these were not cleared, legal action would be initiated as per existing laws.

Life Net acquired its licence on September 16, 2019, for the internet service including email. According to section 25 (5) of the Telecommunications Act, if a licence is not renewed within the specified time, it is automatically cancelled. The Act further states that a licence term can be for a maximum of 25 years, with each renewal not exceeding 10 years.