Page 103 - SAMENA Trends - Oct-Nov 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Telecom Development, the Backbone of Digital Nepal

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur emerged in this sector due to the rapid development of modern
Khadka has said the development of telecommunication sector is technology in the telecom sector and the dynamic changes in
the backbone for the ‘digital Nepal’. Addressing a program entitled its structure. The DPM and Defense Minister added that the time
‘The Future and Prospect of Telecommunication in Nepal’, he has come for looking at telecom expansion and use together with
said the development of telecommunication has bridged the gap the overall social and economic development in the context of
between cities and villages in Nepal. The Deputy Prime Minister Nepal by studying the international use and practices regarding
maintained that the government has clearly stipulated in its policy development of the telecom sector. “Looking at the dynamic
and program document regarding the development of the telecom scenario of the 21st century, the role of telecommunication is
sector. “Development of telecommunication is the backbone of seen to be crucial to shape up the power and capability of nations.
digital Nepal. Therefore, investment is the priority for this, besides Development of telecom sector has proved to be a complete
putting in place appropriate strategy and development of adequate change in the context of Nepal, a country full of diverse cultures
infrastructures and the required human resources. Realizing this and geography. Its development reflects the Nepali people’s
priority, the Government of Nepal has been attaching special deep desire for development,” he opined. According to him, the
emphasis on the development of telecommunications and other students have benefited from the development of telecom in Nepal
technology sectors in its present plans, policies and programs,” and it has also paved the new way for economic growth, social
DPM Khadka said. He also stated that new opportunities have development and the overall progress. “In the education field, the
development in telecommunication has provided access to world-
class education to students by reducing the gap between the
students of the urban and rural areas, removing the geographical
barriers. Telemedicine will bring a revolution in the health sector
and is creating a situation for providing quality medical services to
people who are geographically apart,” he explained. DPM Khadka
also believed that the development of telecom sector has helped
in expansion of the digital economy and supported industrialists
and small businesses to flourish worldwide. He utilized the forum
to share that along with opportunities, telecom development has
also brought challenges, stressing that the government is also
conscious that no citizen should be deprived of the opportunities
provided by the telecom services.

Telekom Romania Mobile Sale Agreed

Deutsche Telekom and its Greek subsidiary OTE have agreed a transaction is being analyzed by Romania’s Supreme Council of
deal to sell Telekom Romania Mobile Communications to Clever National Defence (Consiliul Suprem de Aparare a Tarii, CSAT).
Media Network, Ziarul Financiar reports, citing unnamed telecom CSAT is said to have blocked two previous attempts to sell the
market sources. Controlled by entrepreneur Adrian Tomsa, Clever mobile operator. The Deutsche Telekom and OTE completed the
Media Network owns Prima TV, one of the leading broadcasters sale of a controlling 54% stake in Telekom Romania’s fixed line
in Romania, and holds the TV broadcast rights for the Romanian business to Orange in September 2021.
football championship. The report adds that the proposed

Nkom Outlines Timetable for 1500MHz, 26GHz Spectrum Allocations

Norway’s National Communications Authority (Nasjonal of which it will gauge demand for 26GHz frequencies. Assuming
kommunikasjonsmyndighet, Nkom) has confirmed the timetable there is no indication of excess demand, the 26GHz allocation will
for its planned allocation of spectrum in the 1500MHz and 26GHz take place as planned. However, in the event of excess demand, the
bands. In a press release regarding the matter, Nkom said that it allocation of the 26GHz band will instead take place concurrently
aims to award 26GHz frequencies during the second quarter of with the proposed allocation of 1500MHz band spectrum, which is
2024, subject to demand. As such, it will conduct a consultation expected to be undertaken in the fourth quarter of 2024.
on the overall framework for the spectrum sale in Q1 2024, as part

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