KATHMANDU, MARCH 17

As the government is gearing up to test the latest fifth generation (5G) technology in four cities of the country, consumers of the selected cities will be able to enjoy the service for free during the trial phase.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has announced that it will soon commence the testing of 5G network in four cities of the country in the initial phase.

Along with Kathmandu, the government plans to test 5G in Pokhara, Birgunj, and Biratnagar.

Speaking at a discussion held by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology yesterday, Communications Minister Parbat Gurung said that necessary technical and infrastructure studies were being carried out for the 5G test.

The government is also preparing to provide free internet service under 5G network to consumers during the trial period, the minister said.

The ministry has instructed Nepal Telecom to make necessary preparations for the 5G test within the current fiscal year, MoCIT Secretary Hari Prasad Basyal told The Himalayan Times.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Radio Frequency Policy Determination Committee has already taken a decision to begin the 5G network test.

According to Nepal Telecommunication Authority, frequencies of 700, 900, 2,300 and 2,600 megahertz bands under the low band, 3,300, 3,400, 3,600, and 4,100 MHz under the medium band, and 26 gigahertz band under the high band have been included in the list.

Whether or not service providers will be allocated the frequencies will be fixed only after the decision of the National Radio Frequency Policy Determination Committee.

Before this, the NTA had given the responsibility of conducting a study for the expansion of 5G to the National Frequency Management Forum under the coordination of NTA board member Mani Chaulagain.

The government has aimed to introduce 5G network by mid-July for super fast connectivity. Currently, the authorities are working on separation of frequencies.

And once the frequencies for 5G will be separated, further activities will be taken forth, Basyal added.

Nepal Telecom is also doing its homework on frequencies for 5G rollout. A version of this article appears in the print on March 18, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.