Himalayan News Service

Dhankuta, February 4

There are few takers for the mobile telephone service in Dhankuta which was launched following an assessment of high demand in the area.

The mobile phone distribution centre of NTC at Dhankuta had sent applications requesting for mobile phone services. "But till now, only six people have filled in the applications," said Binod Rai, chief of NTC, Dhankuta branch.

The lack of interest seems to have originated in the fact that the services being offered are post-paid in nature. If a prepaid mobile service was available, there would be more interest, opine locals. "People are not attracted to post-paid mobile phones because it is very expensive, compared to prepaid ones," said Rai.

NTC Dhankuta stated that users have to pay Rs 7,650 to buy a mobile phone.

A building has been constructed at Salleri to help in the distribution of mobile services. The tower in the building would connect mobile phones to Biratnagar and Dharan.

Though locals of Dhankuta are uninterested in postpaid mobile phones, people in Biratnagar and Dharan are making use of it. "Mainly locals of Dhankuta are buying prepaid mobile phones from Biratnagar and using it. We can buy affordable mobile set and buy Rs 500 worth of simcard and use it," said Shailesh Shrestha from Dhankuta.