July 29: The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has endorsed the work procedure to use a new technology including the trial of 5G, the fifth generation mobile network.    
A meeting of the NTA Board held a few days ago endorsed the work procedure about the test of new technology. The NTA's move has paved the way for using the 5G wireless internet service in the country.    
Chair of the country's telecommunications regulatory body, Purushottam Khanal confirmed that the work procedure for the trial of 5G had been prepared.    
Now, service providers can apply for its trial. The application requires the details about the test modality, information about new technology, trial site, and frequency description required for the test, proposed services and its process, schedule of the network installation and the operation, and an action plan.    
The NTA will provide free frequency for maximum one year for the trial use. During the test period, the NTA will not charge the service recipients. The service providing companies are required to include both rural and urban areas for the trial service. Besides, they are mandated to manage hardware and software for the trial service and inform about it to the NTA.    
It has been mentioned in the work procedure that the Authority could scrap the operation license if no progress is seen in the work regarding import of necessary equipment and its installation even within three months of approval.    
The service provider could re-use the equipment used during the trial period for 4G with the permission of the Authority. It should be sealed or returned to the concerned seller in the presence of the Authority and the regulatory body should be informed if the equipment are not used.    
Nepal Telecom has already presented its work procedure to the Authority for 5G trial. The state-owned telecom company has not been able to test the 5G as the frequency required for 5G has not been determined yet. The Authority had determined frequency for 5G in Nepal only in February. -- RSS