KATHMANDU: Nepal Telecom’s 4G service has come into operation in Sinja of Jumla, a region regarded as the birthplace of the Nepali language’s Khas heritage.
The service was launched on Friday in Guthijyula Bazaar of Kanakasundari Rural Municipality following the installation of a new mobile tower.
According to Paras Pujara, chief of the Nepal Telecom Jumla office, the new tower will provide 4G connectivity to various areas of wards 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 of Kanakasundari Rural Municipality.
The service will cover areas including Gauri, Okharwada, Haat Sinja, Simpati, Ludku, Guthijyula Bazaar, Baduwalwada, Barkudiwada, Sanjelwada, Jach and Godinga. The tower is currently being operated using solar batteries.
Pujara said the tower had been installed more than two months ago, but the launch of the service was delayed because electricity from the national transmission grid had not yet reached the area. Nepal Telecom has therefore temporarily brought the tower into operation using a solar power system.
The government has prioritized expanding telecommunications services in remote and tourist destinations. Under the same initiative, 4G service is expected to become operational in the Badimalika Temple area of Bajura within this week. Nepal Telecom is also conducting a feasibility study to expand 4G coverage to the Everest Base Camp area.
The company has already expanded 4G services to several high-altitude Himalayan locations. The service is available in Lhan of Tripurasundari Municipality-6 and Dunai of Thuli Bheri Municipality-1 in Dolpa, both at around 3,900 metres above sea level. Similarly, 4G service has been launched in Olangchungola of Taplejung at an altitude of around 3,400 metres.
The government plans to extend telecommunications services to other remote and underserved areas to narrow the digital divide and improve access to reliable communication services.
As part of this effort, work is currently underway to construct around 1,600 new mobile towers and related infrastructure across the country. Nepal Telecom plans to invest more than Rs 6 billion during the current fiscal year to expand services and improve telecommunications quality in rural areas.
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