PURBANCHAL UNIVERSITY

ACME ENGINEERING COLLEGE

POST GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH CENTRE

A
PROPOSAL
ON

TOWER INFRASTRUCTURE SHARING OF EXISTING TOWERS IN

KATHMANDU

BY:
AMIT GORKHALI

September, 2018
 PROPOSAL CONTENT

1 Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Research Gap
1.3 Statement of Problem
1.4 Objective of Study
1.5 Significance of Study
2 Methodology
2.1 Literature review
2.2 Description of sample
2.3 Instrumentation
2.4 Data collection procedure
3 Work plan
4 Tentative Budget
5 Data Definitions
6 References
1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background
Tower Infrastructure sharing concept has been widely accepted all over the world since
late 90s. In Nepal, it is still common to find separate infrastructure for different operators,
also different operators digging up roads in cities and alongside highways to lay fibers for
optical communication links. Imagine if these infrastructure could be shared among these
operators, then they could focus for quality services, customer and employee satisfaction
which would lead to huge area coverage, subscription and economic growth.

Lack of infrastructure sharing is the key reason to dispersion of services, high tariff for
voice calls, messages and 3g/4g internet services. In hilly and mountain regions we can
see towers of different telecom operators lined in a path to reach same remote area which
pollutes environment as well. But still operators competes among each other and invest
hugely in replicating each other’s infrastructure.

From recent telecom data received from NTA, there more than 6200 telecom sites all
over the Nepal to cover over all accessible terrain. The total number of customers are
increasing exponentially and has reached around 32 million.

Building such infrastructure like erecting tower, shelter, backhaul connectivity with
nearest network is about 60% of the total cost of single site.

Infrastructure sharing can be divided into two categories:

1. Active Infrastructure Sharing: Sharing of electronic infrastructure like
base tower station (BTS), antennas, feeder cables, node B, transmission and signal
processing transceivers, backhaul and microwave radio equipment’s.
 2. Passive Infrastructure Sharing: Sharing of non-electronic infrastructure
like tower, electricity supply, air-conditioning equipment and technical premises
among other things. It accounts for larger chunk of rollout costs.

Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has proposed to mandate passive

infrastructure sharing in October 2010 with objective of providing benefits for all old and
upcoming operators.

1.2 Research Gap

The researcher has found only one consultation paper in the possibility of infrastructure
sharing in Nepal which was presented on 2010, after which no any further research has
been conducted. This study will analyze the possibility of current existing sites of
Kathmandu for infrastructure sharing in future or new infrastructure should be
constructed. The study will provide various decision factor to be considered for
infrastructure sharing.

1.3 Statement of the Problem

In this technological era, more and more people are connecting with each other via
mobile phones, internet, email, and social media. The world is getting smaller. Sitting in
your living room you can get complete information around the world by single touch via
smart phones and internet. You can communicate with any one miles away.

The number of subscribers are increasing day by day but operators are not able to provide
proper quality service, customer’s satisfaction, cheaper service. Due to high initial cost
new operators are not able to enter Nepal’s telecom market and old operators are playing
monopoly game.
But NTA has mandate passive infrastructure sharing due to which new operators has
received chances to introduce themselves and compete with old operators. Also old
operators can now focus on quality and cheaper service and customer’s satisfaction.

The present study is trying to answer the following questions.

1. Is the existing infrastructure suitable for sharing concept?
2. What are the difference between shared and single operator tower?

1.4 Objective of Study

As this field is new in context of Nepal, there are lots of area for research. The following
are the main objective of this study.
1. To investigate if existing infrastructure is suitable for sharing concept.
2. To find out differences between shared and single operator infrastructure.

1.5 Significance of Study

The telecom market has become very competitive day by day as it serves as connection
link for people. New operators are willing to enter Nepal’s market but are finding it hard
to construct new infrastructure which is around 60% of total cost. While existing
operators are competing with each other’s to duplicate technology and infrastructure and
expansion.
Thus NTA has come up with the regulation to mandate passive infrastructure sharing, but
the question arises which infrastructure could be used in this concept, or all new
infrastructure are to be constructed for sharing concept.
The finding of this study may provide NTA sufficient data to decide which existing
infrastructure could be used for sharing concept in Kathmandu, differences between
shared and single operator infrastructure and prepare budget accordingly. Also the
decision making factors for selecting existing infrastructure all over Nepal. This study
also provides valuable reference to those researchers who are interested in conducting
further research on Infrastructure Sharing.
2. METHODOLOGY

The study will be carried out with the following methodological approach:

2.1 Literature Review

Review of literature means reviewing research studies and other relevant proposition in
the related area of the study so that all the past studies, their conclusion and deficiencies
may be known and further research can be conducted. The literature review may also
serve as a kind of bibliographic index and guide for the readers. It also demonstrates
where the current study fits into the scheme of things. The objective of reviewing the
literature is to develop certain expertise and knowledge in one’s area.
In context of Nepal, only one consultation paper by NTA has been found which will be
taken as base for Literature review. Also an article “Tower Sharing Benefits” published
by Thivanka Rangala, CFO, edotco Group will be reviewed for benefits evaluation. Next
research conducted on “Telecommunications Tower Sharing Effects on Network
Providers in Zambia” by Lusungu Chihana , in Zambia where consultation paper by NTA
has also been taken as references. So it would be preferable to review its findings.
Another literature review will be done of “Passive Infrastructure Sharing in
Telecommunications” by KPMG.
The literature review shall be carried out in the following areas:
2.1.1 Review of Consultation Paper from NTA
2.1.2 Review of Passive Infrastructure Sharing in Telecommunications

2.2 Description of the sample

The population of this study shall be the telecommunication sites of Kathmandu city and
some random sites will be sample. There will be 50 samples from the whole population
of the study. Samples will be taken from different places of Kathmandu. Sample sites will
be indoor, outdoor BTS room sites and also Monopole tower, 3leg tower, 4 leg tower and
Hop sites. A random sampling method will be used and various operators
sites/infrastructure shall be surveyed for study purpose.
2.3 Instrumentation
In this study, check list shall be created regarding tower strength, operator capacity,
infrastructure space, EMR level, Microwave link quality and sampling of different types
of sites can be done. Basically, sites are either RTT or GBT, indoor or outdoor and
different types of tower structure like monopole, 3 leg tower, 4 leg tower.
Firstly site type can be identified i.e. indoor or outdoor, then check list can be evaluated
according to the site scenario. The check list will contain questions regarding to tower
strength, number of operator capacity, EMR level per operator, indoor/outdoor BTS
space available, power capacity and house owner approval.

2.4 Data collection procedure

The data shall be collected from the primary source consisting of extensive field/site
survey where observation, evaluation of infrastructure will be done and discussion with
different related persons. Some information shall also be collected from published and
unpublished documents by NTA as secondary data sources. The techniques used for
collection will be direct site/field visit and record the data and from secondary data from
NTA.

3. WORK PLAN
WORK SHEET (TENTATIVE)
Thesis Title:
TOWER INFRASTRUCTURE SHARING OF EXISTING TOWERS IN
KATHMANDU
S.N Task Name Duration
1 Literature Review 6 Weeks
2 Instrumentation and collection of data 4 Weeks
3 Analysis of Data 3 Weeks
4 Report Preparation 4 Weeks

4. TENTATIVE BUDGET
Items Costs (NRs)
Transportation 30000
Stationary 10000
Others 15000
Total Costs 55,000

5. DATA DEFINITIONS
NTA-Nepal Telecommunications Authority
RTT-Roof Top Tower
GBT-Ground Base Tower
EMR-Electro Magnetic Radiation
BTS-Base Tower Station
HOP site-A site with more than 2 microwave Antennas

6. REFERENCES
1. Nepal Telecommunications Authority, ”Consultation Paper on
Infrastructure Sharing” Nepal Telecommunications Authority, Kathmandu,
2010.
2. Sinha, Diptesh. Tower Sharing WHITE PAPER. www.scribd.com, 2010.
3. Rangala, Thivanka. Tower Sharing Benefits. CFO, edotco Group.
4. KPMG, “Passive Infrastructure Sharing in Telecommunications,” KPMG,
2011.
5. Lusunu Chihana, “Telecommunications Tower Sharing Effects on Network
Providers in Zambia,” Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering,
University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia, 2017.