Page 92 - SAMENA Trends - August-September 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Nepal Sets Timeline to Launch 5G In Kathmandu and Pokhara

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed the Ministry of
Communications and Information Technology to ensure the rollout
of fifth-generation (5G) mobile services in Kathmandu and Pokhara
by Magh 2082. The directive was issued during a cabinet meeting
held on Shrawan 29, 2082, at Singha Durbar, Kathmandu. The
Prime Minister instructed Communication Minister Prithvi Subba
Gurung to make the necessary arrangements for the long-awaited
launch of 5G technology in Nepal. If successful, this will mark the
country’s first public access to 5G services. Nepal Telecom (Ntc)
had previously received 60 MHz in the 2600 MHz (n41) band for 5G
trials back in 2078. On its 19th anniversary in 2079, the company
launched a limited 5G trial in select offices in Babarmahal,
Sundhara, Pokhara, and Birgunj. However, the service was reduced latency compared to 4G. Ntc has claimed its trial speeds
restricted due to limited device compatibility and lack of broader reached up to 1 Gbps, although real-world performance will likely
spectrum approvals. This time, with the government’s directive, 5G be lower. Still, the commercial rollout would represent a major leap
services are expected to be publicly available by Magh 2082. Users for Nepal’s telecom industry. Minister Gurung has reiterated that
will finally be able to connect their smartphones to 5G networks, 5G remains a top government priority for FY 2082/83, signaling
enjoying higher speeds, improved consistency, and significantly renewed momentum for the long-delayed launch.

Ofcom to Expand Mobile Internet Frequency Bands

In a landmark announcement, the UK’s Office of Communications introduction of hybrid and remote working en masse meant that
(Ofcom) is set to expand the country’s wireless internet capacity there was an entire generation that had never experienced office
with the introduction of licenses for two new frequencies. The life as they entered the workforce. While there has been a natural
body has announced that it will begin the process of auctioning trend back towards normality and a return to office work, a culture
off licenses to launch services on 26GHz and 40GHz frequency shift has also occurred, with many opting for remote working. Any
bands. These frequencies, known as mmWave spectrum, are economy that relies on a remote workforce of any significance
said to be key to unlocking the potential of mobile internet in requires infrastructure that can support it. With the increasing cost
both high-density city environments and rural parts of the UK, of living in the UK’s major cities forcing many to look to leave for
where broadband is yet to reach. It is likely to usher in the future greener – and cheaper – pastures, a robust infrastructure could
of internet access in areas like the West Midlands, where there help encourage a new generation of first-time buyers who are able
are both densely-populated settlements and more sparsely to work remotely and live elsewhere. According to recent data on
populated areas like Warwickshire. With such a significant change remote working in the UK, of employees with a degree or equivalent,
in the national mobile internet infrastructure, this project has the only 27% are solely commuting, while around 60% are home-only
potential to be the single most transformative in the 2020s so far. or hybrid workers. That means a significant number of people
It is unlikely that there is any industry that will be untouched by its across the country will be in need of the infrastructure to ensure
effects. In the 2020s, it’s safe to say that technology and how we reliable connectivity. These new licenses will certainly help. One
use it are almost unrecognizable from even just ten years prior. of the most significant developments from this announcement is
Long gone are the days when the internet was a static medium. that Ofcom will open the 26GHz band early to those who want to
Instead, the majority of users are actually accessing the internet avail of it through their shared access licensing regime. This will be
through mobile devices, foregoing the desktop computers and particularly helpful in more rural parts of the country, where there’s
even laptops that dominated the early scene. This is true for a need for fixed wireless broadband while cables have yet to be
almost every aspect of internet consumption. Streaming services laid. Ultimately, that will be the true use case for this technology
like Netflix and Amazon Prime have developed mobile apps, and where success will be defined. The UK is one of the most
allowing users to easily access their platforms. In the iGaming modern and well-connected countries in Europe; however, there
industry – commonly known as the online casino – players can are still blind spots in certain areas that can be addressed by the
access all the new slots in the UK on a mobile-first optimized site introduction of these new frequency bands. Those most rural,
designed for use on smartphones. Since we are no longer using the remote areas will no longer be left behind the urban settlements
internet mostly at home, it is crucial that the infrastructure in the that race ahead. As we continue to speed towards an entirely digital
country is ready to handle the increased bandwidth. Additionally, future – one in which universal connectivity is key to day-to-day
with the new frequencies more suitable for use in high-density living – these sorts of developments will continue to be welcome.
environments, they can help alleviate the issues associated with What was once seen as a luxury has now become a necessity both
increasing urbanization in internet connectivity and bandwidth. for leisure and business, so Ofcom’s announcement is particularly
The early 2020s also saw a seismic shift in the workplace. The welcome.
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