Background | Rationale | Objectives | Sessions | Participation
Organized by | Supported by | Contact| Media Coverage
BACKGROUND
Since the beginning of telecommunication services in the year 1913 A.D. for the first time, telecommunication sector of Nepal has come a long way. Launching of GSM mobile services in the year 1999 A.D. by Nepal Telecommunication Corporation was a landmark step that introduced mobile phones in the country. Since then, different other areas of services have opened up to take advantage of mobile telephony and infrastructure apart from regular voice based communication.
At present, mobile penetration is 40.59% and is significantly higher than Internet penetration which is still lingering around 10%. There are currently six telecommunication operators in the country providing CDMA and GSM based mobile services. Eight companies are registered with Nepal Telecommunication Authority to provide Value Added Services in Nepal and there are many software companies providing application development services in the country. There are companies even providing apps development outsourcing services to others in developed countries such as USA and UK.
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RATIONALE
Although there have been significant advancements in mobile telephony infrastructure and associated service industry, there has not been much communication and interaction among different players around the mobile ecosystem in Nepal. Companies and Individuals have been working in isolation, which is hindering the rate at which mobile based industries including operators, apps developers, VAS providers, etc. could flourish. To address this issue, Mobile Social Networking Nepal (with support from infoDev, the World Bank Group and YoungInnovations) aims to start a discussion around mobile ecosystem in Nepal.
The Forum on Mobile Ecosystem in Nepal brings different players of Nepalese mobile ecosystem under one roof to share experiences and stories. It gives ecosystem players including operators, authorities, apps developers, hardware retailers, investors and consumers an opportunity to discuss strategies and partnerships for collectively building a strong mobile industry in Nepal.
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OBJECTIVES
- Identify opportunities and challenges around mobile technologies and associated service areas in Nepal
- Create linkage, networking and collaboration opportunities amongst different stakeholders of mobile ecosystem in Nepal
- Identify policy level and practical issues to be addressed for development of sustainable mobile ecosystem in Nepal
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SESSIONS
The forum will observe an exciting line-up of prominent speakers from both Nepal and abroad sharing their stories, perspectives and in-sights on mobile ecosystem and subsequent opportunities and challenges in the Nepalese context.
The forum will have following sessions
- Panel Discussion on Mobile Ecosystem
This interactive session will have panelists representing operators, regulatory authorities, investors, hardware vendors, value added service providers and application developers answering to specific queries by moderator from infoDev. The session is expected to lay a foundation for further discussion and discourse throughout the event. At the same time, prominent panelists will be involved in giving in-depth insights of mobile ecosystem scenario of the country as a whole.
- Mobile Infrastructure in Nepal: Past, Present and Future
This session will have presentations from telecommunication operators and regulators highlighting the market, progress and vision for growth of telecommunication sector of Nepal. The session will also point out key challenges and opportunities from telecommunication infrastructure perspective.
- Mobile Ecosystem in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges
In this session, participants will get detail insights on opportunities and challenges from direct players of mobile ecosystem viz. value added service providers, mobile application developers and mobile social networking community. Key highlight of the session will be presentation from infoDev representative on specific points to be considered by Nepalese Mobile Ecosystem stakeholders based on learnings and observations from other countries / regions.
- Mobile Technologies: Usage and Prospects in Nepal
This session will highlight ongoing initiatives within the country to take mobile based services in different spheres. The session will have presentations from prominent resource persons highlighting opportunities and challenges in adoption of mobile services followed by interactive discussions in areas like agriculture, public health, environment and climate change, banking, corporate usage, etc.
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PARTICIPATION
The forum seeks participation from individuals and organizations representing various sectors of Nepalese mobile Ecosystem. These include the following
- Government and Regulatory Authorities
- International Organizations and Institutions working in the areas of promotion of mobile technologies and businesses
- Donor Agencies in Nepal
- INGO and NGO representatives
- Academic Institutions
- Telecommunication Operators
- Value Added Service Providers
- Software Developers and IT service providers
- Tech Communities in Nepal
- Corporates and Private organizations
- Banks and Financial Institutions
- Students and General mobile enthusiasts
Participation to the forum is free. Organizers will take care of costs associated with forum particiation. However, participation to the forum is subject to approval by the organizers. All participants are required to fill and submit the registration form below. Organizers will evaluate registration submissions and inform selected participants individually.
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ORGANIZED BY
YoungInnovations Pvt. Ltd (YIPL) infoDev, World Bank
SUPPORTED BY
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CONTACT
Mr. Prawesh Shrestha
Project Manager, Mobile Social Networking - Nepal
YoungInnovations Pvt. Ltd.
Tel: +977-1-5009282
Email: info@mobilenepal.net
MEDIA COVERAGE
Organized in collaboration with infoDev, World Bank and Young Innovators, the Forum on Mobileecosystem kicked off at the Radisson Hotel in Lazimpat. The event brought together regulatory agents, service providers, investors and other interested parties to share perspectives and insights on the mobile infrastructure of Nepal and related opportunities and challenges.... More on Friday Weekly
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Background | Rationale | Objectives | Sessions | Participation
Organized by | Supported by | Contact | Media Coverage
