Kathmandu, September 30:

Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has issued directives to Nepal Telecom to provide inter connections ‘immediately’ to Spice Nepal (SP). According to sources, Spice Nepal (SP), a private sector telecom operator who is ready to launch the Mero Mobile phone services, has been eagerly waiting for the interconnection from Nepal Telecom. However, a lack of agreement on interconnectivity charges has been delaying any deal between the SP and NT.

A senior official of Spice Nepal, speaking to The Himalayan Times, refused to divulge details about the interconnectivity charges they are to pay to NT. He even refused to state charges the company plans to levy on users of Mero Mobile phone services.

NT officials were also non-committal on the matter. During the third week of September, Spice Nepal Pvt Ltd had announced the commercial launching of cellular mobile phone service, under a brand name ‘Mero Mobile’. Spice Nepal is ready to operate mobile services, while NT has been dillydallying on the issue, alleged one of the senior officials of Spice Nepal. Spice Nepal aims at expanding its services to other parts of the country like Biratnagar, Pokhara, Birgunj, Janakpur, Bhairahawa, Biratnagar, Butwal, Nepalgunj, Bharatpur, Hetauda, Banepa and Dharan by the end of year.