Nepal Telecom excludes India and China from antenna procurement tender

Central office of Nepal Telecom located at Dursanchar Bhawan, Bhadrakali Plaza, Kathmandu. File photo

KATHMANDU: Nepal Telecom’s plan to procure antennas for the expansion and upgrade of approximately 1,600 2G and 4G wireless base stations has stirred controversy within the telecommunications sector. The tender includes restrictive provisions regarding the country of origin for microwave and in-building antennas, effectively excluding major manufacturers from India and China.

According to tender documents, the equipment must be manufactured in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or European nations. Vendors who have previously supplied at least 1,000 antennas to the state-owned utility may participate if they provide a satisfactory performance certificate. By omitting India and China, the process has raised concerns regarding market competition and legal compliance.