MDMS: NTA Notified Banning Phones Not Registered in the System
The Mobile Device Management System (MDMS) will be fully operational according to the Nepal Telecom Authority (NTA) from 30 December 2022. The System first introduced in September this year is claimed to be implemented to discourage and further regulate the illegal import, sale, distribution, and use of mobile sets; Tracking/blocking of stolen and lost mobile sets.
According to the Notice issued by the NTA, mobile phone sets that have not been declared in the customs will not be registered Poush 15, 2079 onwards and the operation of such mobile sets will also be banned. The NTA has notified to register Mobile sets brought for personal purposes through mdms.nta.gov.np, providing a copy of passport/citizenship/national identity card along with Customs Declaration Letter. For more:
Nepal Telecom Authority
The notice issued by the NTA is arbitrary and targeted towards individuals rather than grey market operators involved in phone import without paying customs. The proposed measure will have large impact on people bringing phone for personal use while coming from abroad and leaving their old used phone at home. Further, this notice has created a retrospective effect for phone already being used. DRN call on the government agencies, including the NTA to reconsider the proposal and not to block any phone, violating the right to information and free speech.
NEA and NTA Wrangle over Poll Usage Fee and Cable Management
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has warned to cut off cables and remove equipment claiming that the Internet Service Providers didn’t manage cables on poles within set deadline.
The authority said they will start removing cables from Tripureswor to Budanilkantha in the first phase. Earlier, NEA gave an ultimatum of 45 days to the ISPs. It also urged them to comply with a set of criteria for their cable use.
In another development, responding to a move by the NEA to cut off power supply to the ISPs, Telecom regulator Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has issued a warning against (NEA) referring to the actions leading to the interruption of communication services as punishable.
For more: Nepal Telecom Authority, Technology Khabar
NTA to Procure Equipment to Measure the QoS of 5G
Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has initiated the process of procuring quality measuring equipment before launching the 5G service. The authority has called for International Competitive Bidding (ICB) to procure the mobile network benchmarking system for the supply, installation, and commissioning of the drive test of the quality monitoring system. NTA routinely conducts assessment of quality of services through drive tests. But there are new frequencies in use for mobile services, and since 5G is going live for trials, the regulator is buying a new automated monitoring system.
For more: Technology Khabar
Scam Alert !!!
Nepali media has reported a malware and spam app known as “Nepali Girl”. The app is designed to track your phone number, view every activity on the screen, and then eventually steal your money. Users who have installed the app are reporting the theft of money from their bank accounts and digital wallet. The App targets those viewing adult websites. Aslam Ali, the head of cyber security at F1Soft company has noted the app’s phishing behavior on the user’s usage pattern.
For more: Techmandu
EU Warns Meta over Facebook Marketplace Antitrust Breach
The European Commission on 19 December said it has warned Facebook parent company Meta for breaching EU antitrust laws by distorting competition in markets for online classified advertising and abusing its dominant position. The Commission said in a preliminary view that it would further investigate and may impose a fine of up to 10% of the company’s annual global turnover, if there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of European Union rules.
For more: Technology Khabar
