Nepal Telecom to introduce internet, e-mail and MMS service to cell phone users

In a bid to make the telecom service effective, Nepal Telecom (NT) is replacing the existing mobile phone system with a new system supported by the General Packet Radio System (GPRS) technology, allowing the use of the Internet, e-mail, and sending and receiving of Multi-media Messaging System (MMS) from mobile phones.
The replacement of the existing system will begin on November 18 and is expected to take at least two days to replace all existing 91 base stations in the capital, according to reports. The NT will also bring 40 other base stations into operation within a month, to make mobile phone service more effective.

According to NT, all local and STD calls made from mobile phones registered in the Valley will be free of charge on this Saturday and Sunday. The NT has also introduced "Family and Friends Service" to post-paid mobile phone users. Under this service, each post-paid mobile phone user will be given 25 percent discount in the airtime charge for calls made to three mobile (pre-paid/post-paid) or two mobile and one landline PSTN numbers during the normal hours (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m).

According to NT, all customers have to subscribe to this service through SMS by typing ?FNF? followed by three desired mobile numbers or two mobile numbers and one landline number to 1400.

NT?s move comes at a time that Spice Nepal Private Limited (SNPL), the first private cell phone company just started its service.