The PAC had formed the sub-committee to probe into frequency distribution, royalty and VoIP issues earlier this year. [break]
Members of the committee on Wednesday questioned the motive of the telecom sector regulator behind issuing ILD gateway license to two operators at a time when the committee was looking into the entire process.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani, coordinator of the sub-committee, sought clarification from NTA officials for issuing ILG gateways to Nepal Satellite Telecom (NST) and Smart Telecom Private Limited (STPL).
Both the operators had acquired equipment required to operate the service before getting the license.
“Why were these operators allowed to acquire equipment before issuing license to operate the service?” Lohani questioned.
NTA had decided to give ILD license to rural telecom operators NST and STPL about a month ago.
Responding to lawmakers´ allegations, NTA Director Anandaraj Khanal said they allowed the two operators to acquire equipment as it would take more than half six months to get report from independent consultant, delaying the launch of the service.
NTA appoints independent consultant to confirm the number of subscribers an operator has before granting ILD license. Only the operators having a minimum of 100,000 subscribers can get the license.
Lawmakers also raised questioned the act of issuing license to operate mobile phone service under different name like Limited Mobility Service (LMS). “How can an operator holding license for fixed line operate mobile service?” questioned Rabindra Adhikari, a member of the sub-committee.
Secretary of MoIC Shreedhar Gautam informed the lawmakers that the ministry has asked NT to pay Rs 100 million as royalty. “Once NT pays the amount, the regulator will calculate the actual amount and deduct the royalty dues,” Gautam added.
Officials concerned estimate that royalty dues of NT might be well over Rs 100 million.
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