NT cuts data tariff in market share battle
KATHMANDU, MAY 13 -
Nepal Telecom (NT) has slashed tariffs of its internet services in a bid to attract new customers and retain existing ones amid stiff competition in the market.
The new data schemes range from unlimited package in WiMax broadband for general customers to up to 50 percent discount for corporate customers of leased line connectivity (internet connection through optical fibre or copper wires).
For volume-based internet users under ADSL, WiMax, 3G and EVDO segments, NT has decided to offer up to 40 percent bonus depending on the package. The company has also reduced the price for EVDO service by 50 percent to 50 Paisa per MB excluding government taxes. EVDO is an internet service under the CDMA technology.
The new tariffs in ADSL, WiMax, dial-up and leased line internet services will come into effect from May 17, the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, according to the NT.
The new discount and bonus schemes have been launched at a time when NT has been concentrating on increasing data revenue by expanding market share. A recent report of the Nepal Telecom munications Authority (NTA) shows that Ncell occupies 51 percent of the data market, while NT, internet service providers and United Telecom Limited’s market shares stand at 46 percent, 2 percent and 1 percent respectively.
“We have slashed the prices in most of our data services segments,” said Rajesh Joshi, deputy spokesperson for NT. He said the schemes will help boost NT’s market by attracting new customers and retaining the existing users amid intense competition.
As of mid-March this year, NT’s data customer base increased to 2.8 million from 2.07 million users last year. In the last fiscal year, the company earned Rs 1.05 billion revenue — up 41 percent compared to the precious year’s figure. NT officials said the company has been working to take high-speed internet service through its WiMax and IP CDMA project to all over the country.
Under the new WiMax scheme, the state-owned company has decided to provide unlimited internet connection with 256 Kbps speed at Rs 1,500 monthly charge. On top of that, customers will get 30 percent discount for the first three months. For corporate customers requiring higher speed, NT will provide unlimited WiMax internet with 2 Mbps data speed at Rs 9,300 per month charge.
The state-run company has said it will soon launch the “50 Paisa per MB” scheme for its data users under 3G and GPRS services. It has also launched six packages — 25 MB (Rs 11; one-day validity), 300 MB (Rs 130; 15-day validity), 500 MB (Rs 200, one-month validity), 2 GB (Rs 760; one-month validity), 5 GB (Rs 1,700, one-month validity) and 10 GB (Rs 2,400; one-month validity) — under 3G and EVDO (Sky pro) services. An NT statement said the launch date for new 3G/EVDO packages will be decided later.
Under the 3G/EVDO services, customers buy volume-based packages at once for three months, they will get a 10 percent discount. Those buying the packages for 6 months and a year will get 15 and 25 percent discounts, respectively.
Under ADSL and WiMax segments, customers buying volume based packages at least for three months will get 40 percent data volume as bonus. Similarly, there is up to 50 percent discount on leased line internet connection for corporate customers, according to NT.
There has been price revision in dial-up internet service too. Unlimited package has been fixed at Rs 200 per month for 64 Kbps and Rs 400 for 128 Kbps.
Also, corporate customers paying Rs 12,000 a month for 100 Mbps leased line will be able to get the service at Rs 6,000 per month. The price for the 512 Kbps line has been brought down to Rs 3,000 per month.
Source: The Kathmandu Post
