Kathmandu, July 4:

Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has awarded an operating licence to Smart Telecom (ST) Pvt Ltd to start telecommunication services in remote areas under the Rural Telecommunications Service.

“Within two months, the company has to establish its network and start operations,” states the NTA directive.

The company has to start operations with at least two PCOs in 50 per cent of village development committees (VDCs) in the Valley — that is 199 VDCs — within five months from the date of the issue of licence, says the NTA directive.

That apart, within eight months of issue of licence the company has to start operations with at least two telephone lines in 398 VDCs of four Development Regions — where there are no telecommunication services till date — except for the Eastern Development Region.

Smart Telecom Pvt Ltd is a joint venture having 20 per cent shares of Square Network Pvt Ltd, Nepal, 10 per cent of Gillette Satellite Network Ltd, Israel, and 70 per cent shares of Lalsahu Distribution Pvt Ltd, Singapore.