Nepal to Use Own Satellite:
A separate office will be set up to allow and regulate the operation of Nepal's own satellite and the use of satellite facilities. At present, the necessary preparations are being made for the operation of the satellite through the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), but now another office is being set up to prepare for the work of the satellite.
The bill, which seeks to amend and consolidate telecommunications laws, states that "the Government of Nepal may establish a satellite operation office for the installation and operation of ground satellites." However, the bill also provides for the NTA to be given the responsibility of operating the satellite until the office is established.
The government has recently taken some steps to operate the satellite in the 'slot' provided to Nepal in space by the International Telecommunication Union. In particular, discussions have been held at one stage on the possibility of cooperating with the French government through G2G for the commercial operation of the satellite. However, the formal modality of satellite operation has not been finalized yet. The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) is also conducting studies and consultations on the necessary preparations for the operation of the satellite.
The bill provides for the option of constructing, installing/launching, operating, and managing satellites by the Government of Nepal itself or with the assistance or partnership of a foreign government. The bill also stipulates that the government may work in commercial partnerships with local or foreign companies for the same purpose. After the establishment and operation of Nepal's own satellite, telecommunication and broadcasting service providers within Nepal have been given priority to operate the service using Nepal's own satellite.
However, in case the service cannot be provided from the capacity of Nepal's satellites, the provision has been made in the bill that the use of foreign satellites with the permission of the Satellite Operations Office will not be hindered. In case of agreement with a foreigner for satellite facilities, the agreement has to be approved every two years during the agreement period. In case a foreign company wants to provide a satellite facility in Nepal, pre-approval has been made mandatory in the Ministry. It is mentioned that the fees and criteria for using Nepal's satellite will be determined later.
Telecommunication service providers have to use the services of foreign companies, especially for satellite bandwidth. Similarly, money has flowed out of Nepal abroad for satellite television broadcasting.
