Kathmandu. Communication devices such as ‘walkie-talkies’ are generally used for security, emergency services, and commercial purposes. Their use helps in communicating even in places where ‘telecommunication’ is not available. In Nepal, permission must be obtained from the government for its use, but recently, the Department of Information and Broadcasting has taken the initiative to regulate it after the number of people using walkie-talkies without permission has increased significantly.
After it was found that radio devices including walkie-talkies were being imported, sold, and distributed without permission, the department has recently stopped using them for the time being and urged them to obtain licenses. Experts say that since the process of obtaining permission for using walkie-talkies is cumbersome, most people use them without permission.
Dr. Subodh Nepal, Director of the Broadcasting Branch under the Department of Information, also admits that the permission process for using walkie-talkies in Nepal is not easy. ‘You cannot use a walkie-talkie without permission. There is a system for obtaining permission only after completing some procedures for this, but the process is long. In any case, permission has to be obtained,’ he said. According to Director Dr. Nepal, the use of walkie-talkies is also related to security, so the recommendation of the District Administration Office or the Ministry of Home Affairs is required, so the permission process has become long.
A cumbersome process
B. In Asoj 2079, a local level that had requested permission from the Information and Broadcasting Department to use a walkie-talkie received permission to purchase the equipment only some time ago. Although its use was requested to streamline the work of the local level, permission was received only after almost two and a half years on Falgun 15. Now, the department will be able to use the equipment only after the department conducts a technical test, the department’s letter says.
The use of walkie-talkies is not legally easy, said Bibi Dhakal, the operator of Decade International, who has been in the walkie-talkie business for a long time. According to him, even though there is a law for using walkie-talkies, the process is complicated. ‘It is the most effective means of communication in remote places, but it is not easy to use,’ Dhakal said, ‘It is considered effective especially for mountaineering and hydropower projects.’
The use of walkie-talkies has become effective especially in geographically remote areas, in the construction of hydropower and other projects. As Dhakal said, it is the most effective means of communication for mountain climbing, while it is the only means for working on hydropower and other projects. “We are currently using walkie-talkies on two frequencies. If a certain frequency is provided free of charge for walkie-talkies, there will be no problem,” he said. “The problem is that everyone, including security agencies, has to use the same frequency. This will not happen if frequencies are allocated.”
Since walkie-talkies operate using radio frequencies, a license must be obtained as per the Radio Act, 2014 and the Radio Communications (License) Regulations, 2049 BS. Currently, walkie-talkies can be used by paying Rs. 2,000 initially, and Rs. 1,000 must be paid every year for renewal. “There is a situation where a recommendation has to be taken through the District Administrative Officer (CDO) for the use of walkie-talkies, but after they also made it a matter for discussion in the District Security Committee, there is a situation where walkie-talkies cannot be easily used in some essential places,” said businessman Dhakal. The use of walkie-talkies is much easier than mobile and other means of communication. It is also fast and effective. There is no alternative to walkie-talkies for communication in places where mobile coverage is not good.
‘Not only that, it has also become essential for any program, security companies, hotels and restaurants. If the government facilitates the procedures related to its use, many can benefit from it,’ experts have said. Moreover, Dhakal says that various events have confirmed that walkie-talkies have become the most effective means of communication during disasters. Although it is considered important in mountaineering, travel agencies are not able to easily obtain permission. However, temporary permits are being issued in the case of foreign mountaineers.
Director of the Department of Information, Dr. Nepal, also said that foreign citizens are allowed to use walkie-talkies for necessary purposes by paying a certain fee. According to him, permission is required for both buying, selling or using walkie-talkies, but recently the use of walkie-talkies smuggled into Nepal without permission has also increased. The Radio Communications (License) Regulations, 2049, stipulate that when a foreign citizen is granted a license to keep and use any radio device, four times the specified fee will be charged in convertible foreign currency. It is also stated that if a foreign citizen or organization temporarily uses a radio device for mountaineering, hiking, film shooting, etc., only half of the specified fee will be charged.
Illegal use of walkie-talkies is a big problem
Last year, the police seized walkie-talkies worth about Rs. 800,000 from Mohanpur in Chhinnamasta Rural Municipality of Saptari. At that time, 100 portable handsets that were illegally imported from India were seized by the Armed Police Force Nepal BOP Chhinnamasta. Not only that, the number of people selling them online without permission is also significant.
Dhakal, the operator of Decade International, said that they have problems due to people using walkie-talkies without permission and advertising for sale online. “We keep hearing news that the police have taken control of illegal walkie-talkies. As illegal use increases, it has become a problem for us, who use them legally after obtaining permission,” he said. Currently, various companies are also selling walkie-talkies by advertising online.
Walkie-talkies in times of disaster
Recently, local governments and organizations have started using walkie-talkies for times of disaster. Tulsipur Sub-metropolitan City of Dang has been using it since 2079 BS. The sub-metropolitan city had distributed walkie-talkies in all 19 wards for communication access during times of disaster. It is said that each walkie-talkie distributed in the sub-metropolitan city has been provided with a call sign according to the ward. One walkie-talkie has been placed in Tulsipur Emergency Operation Center, Fire Department and Mayor’s Secretariat. Training was also provided for its use.
Not only in Tulsipur, the use of walkie-talkies has also started in Pathibhara, a famous pilgrimage site in Taplejung. Walkie-talkies have been used there to further organize communication. The Pathibhara Area Development Committee has used walkie-talkies after problems arose due to lack of good mobile network coverage in some places, including the temple. There is a problem of no phone reception in some places on the trekking route to Pathibhara Temple. Employees are deployed there for everything from counting the devotees coming there to health workers, cleaning, worship and meeting management. Walkie-talkies have been used to establish communication between them.
Currently, walkie-talkies are being used in Nepal on UHF frequencies from 400 to 480 and on VHF frequencies from 136 to 174. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has also been providing frequencies based on location and availability. Currently, about one thousand companies in Nepal are using and selling walkie-talkies. According to the latest statistics from the Department of Information, about 500 have renewed so far.
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