1. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 1 Country Experience on Work Items of Policy and Regulation Working Group Presented By Bijay Kumar Roy Deputy Director, Engineering (ICT Development) Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA)

2. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 2 Identified Areas of Study 1.Adoption of Green Technologies and safety of wireless networks 2.Facilitation of Broadband in SATRC Countries 3.CIIP and Cyber Security 4.VoIP Issues

3. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 3 1(a).Green Technology: Nepals Perspective The Telecommunications Policy, 2004 has made the provision for Technology Neutral License and it is mentioned that the service provider may choose any telecommunication technology. The Telecommunications Policy, 2004 has made the provision for Technology Neutral License and it is mentioned that the service provider may choose any telecommunication technology. It is also stated in the Policy that the equipment selected by the service provider for the technology shall be required to be internationally recognized (as per the international specification), advanced and field proved. It is also stated in the Policy that the equipment selected by the service provider for the technology shall be required to be internationally recognized (as per the international specification), advanced and field proved.

4. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 4 1(b). Safety from Wireless Networks: Nepals Perspective NTA has published a consultation paper entitled Guidelines on Erection of Antenna Structures and Protection from Non - Ionizing Radiation from Radio Base stations with a view to adopt safety norms and precautions while erecting antenna structures, and to protect/ensure health and safety of the general public and occupational personnel as well as to maintain beauty of the city skylines. NTA has published a consultation paper entitled Guidelines on Erection of Antenna Structures and Protection from Non - Ionizing Radiation from Radio Base stations with a view to adopt safety norms and precautions while erecting antenna structures, and to protect/ensure health and safety of the general public and occupational personnel as well as to maintain beauty of the city skylines.

5. 1(b). Safety from Wireless Networks: Nepals Perspective The Guideline makes it mandatory to take approval certificate from NTA before the erection of any Antenna Structure and states that all towers and associated structures, meant for telecommunications purposes and installed within the territory of Nepal, must comply with local safety and urban development requirements and adhere to this guideline. The Guideline makes it mandatory to take approval certificate from NTA before the erection of any Antenna Structure and states that all towers and associated structures, meant for telecommunications purposes and installed within the territory of Nepal, must comply with local safety and urban development requirements and adhere to this guideline. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 5

6. J.E. Moulders Study A research was conducted by Prof. J.E. Moulder from University of Wisconsin in some Canadian schools to evaluate exposure of mobile telephone radiation on children as children are more vulnerable to RF radiation than grown up people. A research was conducted by Prof. J.E. Moulder from University of Wisconsin in some Canadian schools to evaluate exposure of mobile telephone radiation on children as children are more vulnerable to RF radiation than grown up people. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 6

7. Estimated Radiation near a Mobile Phone Base Station (Measured by J.E. Moulder in 2004 at a Canadian School) 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 7

8. 1(b). Safety from Wireless Networks: Nepals Perspective The ICNIRP guidelines declare the effect harmful only when a human being comes into direct path of an antenna radiating surface (mounted on top of the tower) within 3 meters (10 feet). The ICNIRP guidelines declare the effect harmful only when a human being comes into direct path of an antenna radiating surface (mounted on top of the tower) within 3 meters (10 feet). Continuous exposure for a prolonged duration can cause harmful effects on human health. The effect reduces as distance increases and remains negligible at 8 meters (25 feet) and beyond. Continuous exposure for a prolonged duration can cause harmful effects on human health. The effect reduces as distance increases and remains negligible at 8 meters (25 feet) and beyond. The level of radiation that is not harmful for human health due to the fact that such antennas are generally mounted on towers and rooftops more than 100 feet away from the road levels. The level of radiation that is not harmful for human health due to the fact that such antennas are generally mounted on towers and rooftops more than 100 feet away from the road levels. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 8

9. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 9 2. Draft Broadband Policy of Nepal : Major Highlights Vision: To transform Nepal into Information Society Vision: To transform Nepal into Information Society Mission: Build and extend broadband infrastructure throughout Nepal Mission: Build and extend broadband infrastructure throughout Nepal Goal: to make broadband internet penetration 15% by 2015 and 30% by 2020 Goal: to make broadband internet penetration 15% by 2015 and 30% by 2020 Objectives: Objectives: (1) to develop and extend broadband technology infrastructure (2) to provide broadband services at affordable rate and with good quality (3) to interlink and strengthen the government agencies/departments for delivering e-government services (4) to raise public awareness to use ICT related services

10. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 10 2.Draft Broadband Policy of Nepal : Major Highlights Broadband Definition Broadband Definition Always ON Connection with Minimum upload and download speeds of 128 kbps and 256 kbps Always ON Connection with Minimum upload and download speeds of 128 kbps and 256 kbps Strategies for the Implementation Strategies for the Implementation To build and extend of existing optical fiber backbone in 75 districts To build and extend of existing optical fiber backbone in 75 districts To raise awareness through ICT events To raise awareness through ICT events To share the broadband infrastructure To share the broadband infrastructure To provide e-government services To provide e-government services Current Status Current Status Broadband internet penetration < 3% Broadband internet penetration < 3% Broadband Technologies in use: ADSL, Cable Modem, Optical fiber, V-Sat, WiFi, 3G Broadband Technologies in use: ADSL, Cable Modem, Optical fiber, V-Sat, WiFi, 3G

11. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 11 3. CIIP and Cyber Security in the Context of Nepal Nepal has promulgated The Electronic Transaction Act, 2063 ( December 8, 2006) Nepal has promulgated The Electronic Transaction Act, 2063 ( December 8, 2006) To make legal provisions for authentication and regularization, validity, integrity and reliability of generation, production, processing, storage of electronic records To make legal provisions for authentication and regularization, validity, integrity and reliability of generation, production, processing, storage of electronic records Controller of Certification Authority (CCA) has been established Controller of Certification Authority (CCA) has been established Sometime there is dilemma in working between different entities say who regulates for content? Sometime there is dilemma in working between different entities say who regulates for content?

12. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 12 4.VoIP Issues in the Context of Nepal In the present regulatory framework, IP Telephony has been categorized into two broad groups namely, In the present regulatory framework, IP Telephony has been categorized into two broad groups namely, VoIP (Voice Communication over Managed IP-based networks), VoIP (Voice Communication over Managed IP-based networks), Internet Telephony and Internet Telephony and IP telephony being defined as the transmission of voice signals over packet switched IP-based networks. IP telephony being defined as the transmission of voice signals over packet switched IP-based networks.

13. 4.VoIP Issues in the Context of Nepal (contd.) VoIP: VoIP: Allowed to ILD Operators (In Nepal all voice operators, fixed, mobile and rural operators have ILD gateways), Allowed to ILD Operators (In Nepal all voice operators, fixed, mobile and rural operators have ILD gateways), No license fee required if it has ILD License No license fee required if it has ILD License Phone-to-Phone VoIP ( using E.164 numbering and Access Code) Phone-to-Phone VoIP ( using E.164 numbering and Access Code) Need approval from Regulator before imposing tariffs to consumers Need approval from Regulator before imposing tariffs to consumers 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 13

14. VoIP (Phone-to-Phone Communication) 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 14

15. VoIP QoS Benchmarking 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 15

16. 4.VoIP Issues in the Context of Nepal (contd.) Internet Telephony: Internet Telephony: Internet Service Providers are allowed to provide Internet telephony which covers PC-to- PC voice (pure IP), PC-to-Phone (abroad) communications. Internet Service Providers are allowed to provide Internet telephony which covers PC-to- PC voice (pure IP), PC-to-Phone (abroad) communications. ISPs are providing Internet Telephony using calling cards and ATAs to call abroad. ISPs are providing Internet Telephony using calling cards and ATAs to call abroad. No additional License required except ISP No additional License required except ISP They also need to get tariff approval before imposing any rates to consumers. They also need to get tariff approval before imposing any rates to consumers. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 16

17. Internet Telephony (IP-to-IP) 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 17

18. Internet Telephony (IP-to-Phone) 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 18

19. 4.Scenario after Opening up of VoIP and Internet Telephony Even though, the Operators having ILD operators are allowed to use VoIP gateway, only recently few of the operator has announced such service publicly; and therefore, the consumers were deprived of getting benefit from such technological advancements Even though, the Operators having ILD operators are allowed to use VoIP gateway, only recently few of the operator has announced such service publicly; and therefore, the consumers were deprived of getting benefit from such technological advancements GoN, NTA and Telecom operators are facing challenges from VoIP call bypass resulting as not many of the ILD operators are making use of VoIP gateway. GoN, NTA and Telecom operators are facing challenges from VoIP call bypass resulting as not many of the ILD operators are making use of VoIP gateway. Similarly, ISPs are focused mainly for providing Internet Telephony calls abroad rather than within the country. This has created competition in ILD sector. Similarly, ISPs are focused mainly for providing Internet Telephony calls abroad rather than within the country. This has created competition in ILD sector. Also, the people living in rural areas who have access to Internet are not able to make calls to PSTN/PLMN and are deprived from this benefit due regulatory restriction and this Has been a Great Issue. Also, the people living in rural areas who have access to Internet are not able to make calls to PSTN/PLMN and are deprived from this benefit due regulatory restriction and this Has been a Great Issue. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 19

20. 4.VoIP Issues in the Context of Nepal- Issues NTA has prepared a consultation paper for fully opening up of VoIP services NTA has prepared a consultation paper for fully opening up of VoIP services Some of the issues in consultation were: Some of the issues in consultation were: Should separate category of ITSP be created to make IP Telephony Calls to PSTN/PLMN network within the country and abroad? Should separate category of ITSP be created to make IP Telephony Calls to PSTN/PLMN network within the country and abroad? Should the number of Licenses for ITSP terminating to PSTN/PLMN be limited? Should the number of Licenses for ITSP terminating to PSTN/PLMN be limited? What should be the License fee and/or Eligibility criteria? And so on. What should be the License fee and/or Eligibility criteria? And so on. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 20

21. 4. VoIP Issues in the Context of Nepal- Big Concerns The Operators showed big concerns mainly one followings: The Operators showed big concerns mainly one followings: Issue of non-level playing field among various, since the ISPs and telecom operators have paid different license fee for providing differing services. Issue of non-level playing field among various, since the ISPs and telecom operators have paid different license fee for providing differing services. The telcos claim that it is not justifiable to extend the scope of ISPs because a technology is available for providing different types of services. The telcos claim that it is not justifiable to extend the scope of ISPs because a technology is available for providing different types of services. QoS, Security and Interconnection, the telcos does not agree to provide interconnection to ISPs and pointed out QoS, security as the major issues for consumers. QoS, Security and Interconnection, the telcos does not agree to provide interconnection to ISPs and pointed out QoS, security as the major issues for consumers. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 21

22. VoIP Call bypass All of SATRC countries are facing VoIP call bypass as a big issue/problem All of SATRC countries are facing VoIP call bypass as a big issue/problem Results huge revenue loss to the Operators as well as to the Government Results huge revenue loss to the Operators as well as to the Government Operators are taking measures by blocking the Phone Numbers, Mobile Numbers (SIM box detections) Operators are taking measures by blocking the Phone Numbers, Mobile Numbers (SIM box detections) Is there any permanent solution for this? Is there any permanent solution for this? 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 22

23. SIM Box Detection 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 23

24. VoIP Issues in the Context of Nepal - Way Forward NTA is planning for in-house discussions with concerned stakeholders and make seek expert advice NTA is planning for in-house discussions with concerned stakeholders and make seek expert advice The scenario in other SATRC countries like India, Sri Lanka is also similar The scenario in other SATRC countries like India, Sri Lanka is also similar SATRC member countries will be expecting very comprehensive recommendations from this Working Group. SATRC member countries will be expecting very comprehensive recommendations from this Working Group. 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 24

25. Telecom Statistics at a glance- Nepal (14 June, 2010) 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 25

26. Telecom Statistics at a glance- Nepal (14 June, 2010) 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 26

27. Thank you for your kind attention. Email: bkroy@nta.gov.np bkroy@nta.gov.np URL: www.nta.gov.np 2/26/2014WG Meeting on Policy and Regulation, 9-10 Aug 2010 27