NOW YOU CAN MAKE FREE CALLS FROM ANY SERVICE PROVIDER ON EVERY TOLL FREE

It is now possible to make free calls from any service provider on every toll free. The Telecommunication Authority of Nepal (NTA),

the regulatory body of the telecommunications sector, is going to implement a new arrangement by modifying the short code procedure with the objective of making the toll free number effective. The new procedure will include a free call to toll free number from the network of all service providers.

Currently if a company has provided toll free number from Nepal Telecom for the convenience of its customers, its Ncell and Smartcell customers will not be able to call the toll free number. Since Ncell has provided toll free number in the 10 number range starting from 98, you can get a call from Telecom. But, for that, money is deducted from the customer's SIM. The NTA, which has been arguing that such a system is not really toll free, is now going to manage it as some people do not get calls and some people get paid even if they get calls. The kind of toll-free that we have now is not really toll-free, 'said Amber Sthapit, director of the authority. That is why we are trying to modify the procedure of the short code so that the toll free number can be called from each other's network.

He also said that there is a plan to send the NTA board after completing the work of revising the working procedure within this week. It has been stated that it will be made mandatory by giving instructions to the service providers as soon as it is passed by the NTA board. According to the Sthapit, this provision could not be implemented due to some technical challenges seen in the shortcode so far.

Currently, for toll free, the telecom has been providing numbers based on 11 digits starting from 1660. Ncell is providing this service through its own 10 digit number. He said, "The toll free number should not be different according to the service provider." That is why, in order to manage the toll free, NTA had earlier provided that the toll free number should be 10 digits from the short code procedure and its starting number should be 1800. However, in 1800, Nepal Telecom had raised some questions. Telecom is currently using an 11-digit toll free number, so there is a problem with the new number.

NTA also studied the international practice of toll free and is now preparing to use the 11-digit toll free number. When this happens, calls will be made from all networks. Also, reverse interconnection has been provided so that customers do not have to pay any fee for calling any toll free number.

‘Reverse Interconnection’ means that if a company has provided a toll free number to its customer from Nepal Telecom, then the telecom should provide a part of the revenue to the Ncell when the call comes from Ncell user to that toll free. In this case, calling any toll free number will not cost any money from the user's SIM.