The government of Nepal has officially revoked the license of Nepal Satellite Telecom Pvt Ltd, known as Hello Nepal, following the company’s failure to clear its outstanding dues. The decision, made by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) on Friday, takes effect immediately.
The NTA had previously granted Hello Nepal several opportunities to settle its dues, which included frequency charges, royalties, and payments to the Rural Telecommunications Fund, but the company failed to pay by mid-July. The NTA had issued a formal request for clarification on October 29, after a board meeting on October 22, giving the company 15 days to respond.
In response, Hello Nepal requested additional time to settle the dues in installments as per a Cabinet decision. However, the NTA, dissatisfied with the company’s response, moved forward with the license cancellation, citing a decision made by the Council of Ministers in the Nepali month of Poush, 2076 BS.
Previously, in 2019, the NTA had proposed rescinding Hello Nepal’s license, but the company had appealed to the Council of Ministers. The ministers had granted the company a five-year period to pay the outstanding amount, with a first installment due within the fiscal year. The company paid only Rs 2.15 million out of the Rs 1.387 billion owed. As the company failed to meet the required payment schedule, the NTA has now canceled its license.
