Nepal Telecom (NT) claims that people operating illegal voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) channels are costing it up to NPR600 million (USD8.38 million) per annum in lost revenues.
NT spokesman Surendra Thike says that racketeers operating illegal VoIP channels from around 20 points in Kathmandu Valley are costing it NPR50 million every month in lost revenues. However, the state is clamping down on the process and NT hopes that ‘given closure of all the illegal VoIP channels, we can acquire the amount as a surplus.’
Only licensed companies can operate VoIP services in Nepal, subject to tax by the state. Illegal VoIP providers earn between USD8 and USD12 per minute per call.
Adapted from TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate