Nepal’s Chaudhary Group (CG) has come to an arrangement worth about $100 million with China’s Huawei Technologies to carry 4G telecommunication services to the country, CG’s CEO stated, disregarding U.S. security conflicts about Huawei’s items.
Intending to shake up Nepal’s cell phone services just like Reliance Industries Ltd’s Jio has done in India, CG arranged an underlying $250 million investment in the new 4G telecommunication, Chairman Binod Chaudhary said in a meeting.
It will incorporate free voice services but will mostly impact the data and mobile payment scenario, he further added.
Huawei will be supplying $100 million worth of equipment to set this 4G venture up and running, which can later be upgraded to 5G as well. “Huawei has been working with the state-claimed telecom organization, and now they will work with us,” he said including Nepal would guarantee that business contemplations were foremost when arrangements are being made with organizations from neighboring nations.
Huawei Technologies is a noteworthy contender for 5G hardware arrangements around the globe, however, the United States has requested allies to dismiss Huawei innovation, contending that it could be powerless against Chinese listening in. Huawei denies its equipment to be any security threat.
Chaudhary said CG Group has made an agreement with Lifecell, a subsidiary of Turkey’s Turkcell, for specialized technical and design administrations, with Huawei providing the required equipment.“I don’t see any problem in collaboration with Chinese companies,” he stated, adding he was likewise wanting to set up an endeavor in the cement sector with a Chinese manufacturer. CG has already been running a limited telecommunications service in Nepal.
Min Prasad Aryal, Director of Nepal Telecommunications Authority said, “CG had applied for a license for a bigger network long back that covers cities as well. He further added, as long as it fulfills the required criteria and meets the specified standard, equipment is not an issue at all, be it from any other manufacturer or Huawei.”
With 30 million population, Nepal has almost got 100% network coverage and 50% on data.
Nepal Telecom (NTC) is leading the market with 51 percent of subscribers, trailed by Ncell and SmartCell, as indicated by industry estimates.
“We are confident to achieve one third market share in three-to-four years time as we will have the advantage to bring in the latest technology,” Chaudhary said.