Cabinet holds final authority over UTL’s Rs 30.8 billion debt settlement and license renewal
Summary
The Cabinet now holds the final decision on United Telecom Limited’s expired basic telephone license and its proposed Rs 30.8 billion debt settlement. UTL wants to settle its principal dues with a waiver of interest and penalties so it can relaunch as a 5G operator.
Key Points
- Administrative responsibility for UTL’s license renewal has shifted from the telecom regulator and ministry to the Cabinet.
- UTL owes more than Rs 30.8 billion in penalties, spectrum fees, royalties, and rural telecommunication fund contributions, while proposing to pay about Rs 13 billion on its principal debt.
- If approved, the company plans to use its 850 MHz, 900 MHz, and 1800 MHz spectrum to launch a new 5G mobile network.
- The decision has broader implications for Nepal’s telecom sector and comes amid heightened scrutiny of regulatory oversight.
