Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 28:

Everyday more than 5,000 customers of United Telecom Ltd (UTL) are gathering at various designated outlets of UTL to receive and submit re-registration forms for telephone connections based on the wireless in local loop (WLL) technology, that have been suspended from February 1. The closure of UTL services since February 1 has cost billions of rupees in losses in one hand, while on the other, thousands of customers have been deprived of telecommunications services. UTL has asked its existing consumers to re-register with the company prior to resumption of its telecom services, as mandated by the new authorities.

Talking to The Himalayan Times, a senior officer of UTL informed that more than 25,000 re-registration forms have been distributed so far and about 12,000 have already been received. About 4,000 forms are being received every day, the officer said. UTL has more than 31,000 customers in the valley.

Though the re-registration procedure has been started, UTL is yet to receive a letter from the Nepal Telecom Authority (NTA) stating the date of resumption for its operations, said the officer. The officer also informed that they have received a positive response for Nepal Telecom Authority in regard to resumption of its services. NTA, through a letter dated February 21, has directed UTL to start re-registration of its customers. Dipesh Acharya, assistant manager, NTA, told The Himalayan Times that NTA is being dictated by the ministry of information and communications in matters pertaining to UTL. Therefore, NTA is not in a position as yet to confirm the date on which UTL might be allowed to resume operations.

UTL, which has three large telecommunications service pro-viders from India — Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSN-L), Telecommunications Co-nsultants India Ltd (TCIL) and Nepal Ventures Pvt Ltd from Nepal, as its share holders, was in the process of preparing a telecom network in 12 major cities of Nepal. However the closure of services in Kathmandu, owing to security concerns, has compelled it to keep its future plans suspended for the time being. UTL has waived basic service charge till services resume.