Ncell secures Telecom Company of the Year and Infrastructure Initiative of the Year trophies at the 2022 Asian Telecom Awards

The company’s modern, agile, and digital organisation approach empowered the country’s crisis response initiative.

Ncell Axiata Limited, the leading private telecommunications company in Nepal, was recognised at the 2022 Asian Telecom Awards, securing both the Nepal’s Telecom Company and Infrastructure Initiative of the Year trophies.

The company received the Telecom Company of the Year Award for providing a reliable network for the majority of Nepal’s population, whilst also contributing to the government’s effort in raising COVID-19 awareness through mass media and its own mobile network.

“Ncell is the first private mobile telecom operator serving over 16.84 million customers, covering 92.47% population. With basic GSM technology-based services and modern 4G connectivity to innovative enterprise services, Ncell stands strong as the best choice for consumers,” said the company.

Ncell was also the first private entity to support the government by contributing NPR 100 million to the Government-established COVID-19 Infection Prevention, Control, and Treatment Fund to support the government for the preparedness to procure logistics such as personal protective gear, health equipment, PCR testing kits, and other materials required in the testing, quarantining and treatment of Covid-19 patients. As part of its CSR, the company also collaborated with the Ministry of Health and Population as an exclusive partner to raise awareness on COVID-19 to endorse key behavioral changes amongst the general public as a prevention against the spread of COVID. 

Apart from this recognition, Ncell also received the Infrastructure Initiative of the Year award for its resilient effort in building a state-of-the-art cutting-edge Integrated Data Centre (IDC), helping the government’s initiative in establishing a backbone for its digitalisation drive.

The company built the Tier-III standard IDC in a highly sensitive earthquake zone in Kathmandu Valley to provide stable and resilient connectivity considering the nature of the area.

“This is first of its kind in the South Asia region that such infrastructure has been built. This is also one of many significant investments of the company which will play a crucial role in supporting Digital Nepal framework of the government for the journey towards digital future,” said Ncell.

The data centre has been built taking into account the impact of the 2015 earthquake incident, to make sure that a proper framework was established to respond to disasters in a better way. 

The incident had been an eye-opener, and the need for resilient means of communications to keep people connected was necessary during disaster response and relief. The IDC not only serves as a tool for such matters but also as a physical testament to the company’s commitment to having a robust infrastructure in responding to such crises.

Ncell also moves forward as it pushes for the expansion of 4G in the region whilst preparing for the establishment of 5G. The company is already envisioning the future of the business sector where the data centre will be a vital power infrastructure.

Ncell also believes that it will serve to enhance data-based businesses, ensuring a stable and wide-band network, anticipating the need of clients from various sectors including banking, financial institutions, and insurance companies amongst others.

“There are many businesses in Nepal where the data is critical, and some companies have their own data centre but they may not be capable of withstanding such natural disasters. The data centre itself is a costly investment and they also need maintenance, which is in a way more challenging,” said the company.