Ncell wins ‘Telecom Company of the Year’ and ‘Infrastructure Initiative of the Year’ awards at the 2022 Asian Telecom Awards

KATHMANDU: Ncell Axiata Limited has won ‘Telecom Company of the Year’ and ‘Infrastructure Initiative of the Year’ awards at the 2022 Asian Telecom Awards. The company was recognized with these prestigious awards for its remarkable performance and establishment of the Integrated Data Centre (IDC).

The Asian Telecom Awards traces its heritage from Asian Mobile News started in 2003 in Singapore. The awards programme recognises the outstanding achievements and initiatives of Asia’s leading telecom companies. Winners of the awards under various categories were recognized via digital presentations.

Prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every sector and telecom companies were driven to develop and launch new features and plan to keep serving consumers and stay competitive.

“To recognize these extraordinary organizations in the Asia Pacific that showed resilience and outstanding performance, the Asian Telecom Awards 2022 honored these companies who were able to navigate their way despite various challenges in the market whilst providing relevant and award-winning products and services,” states the Asian Telecom Awards

Ncell was honored with the ‘Telecom Company of the Year Award’ for providing a reliable network to Nepal’s population, whilst also contributing to the government’s effort in raising COVID-19 awareness through mass media and its own mobile network.

The company also received the ‘Infrastructure Initiative of the Year’ award for its resilient effort in building a state-of-the-art cutting-edge IDC, contributing the government’s initiative in establishing a backbone for its digitalization drive.

“We are truly honored to receive the prestigious Asian Telecom Awards in two categories. These wins reflect how we have been contributing to the people and the country.

This is also recognition for what we have done in response against the COVID since 2020 and our continuous digitalization journey,” said Andy Chong, CEO of Ncell. “Our achievements are shaped by the strength of the foundations we have put in place, and I would like to thank our employees for their dedication and commitment to excellence.”

Ncell was also the first private entity to support the government by contributing NPR 100 million to the Government-established COVID-19 Infection Prevention, Control, and Treatment Fund to support the government for COVID response.

As part of its CSR, the company also collaborated with the Ministry of Health and Population as an exclusive partner to raise awareness on COVID-19 to endorse key behavioral changes amongst the general public as a prevention against the spread of COVID.

On the infrastructure front, Ncell has built the Tier-III standard IDC in a highly sensitive earthquake zone in Kathmandu Valley to provide stable and resilient connectivity considering the nature of the area. This is first of its kind in the South Asia region that such infrastructure has been built.

This is also one of many significant investments of the company which will play a crucial role in supporting Digital Nepal framework of the government for the journey towards digital future.

Ncell has built the IDC taking into account the impact of the 2015 earthquake incident, to make sure that a proper framework was established to respond to disasters in a better way. The IDC is also a physical testament to the company’s commitment to having a robust infrastructure in responding to such crises.

It will serve to enhance data-based businesses, ensuring a stable and wide-band network, anticipating the need of clients from various sectors including banking, financial institutions, and insurance companies amongst others.

In 2021 as well, Ncell had bagged multiple prestigious awards which include ‘Most Impactful Sustainability Initiative’ and ‘Best Overall COVID-19 Response’ in Axiata Senior Leadership Awards 2021; ‘The Social Contribution Award’ and ‘Crisis Response Award’ in World Communication Awards (WCA) 2021; ‘Innovative Health Solutions Award (Private Sector/NGO)’ in World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) Global ICT Excellence Awards – Merit Award 2021; ‘Telecom CEO of the Year’ and ‘Most Socially Responsible Telecom Company’ in Global Business Outlook (GBO) Awards 2021 and ‘National HR Excellence Awards 2020’ HR Meet 2021, Growth Sellers Private Limited.

Similarly, other awards coffered to Ncell in 2021 were ‘Asia’s Best Employer Brand Award 2021’ by Employer Branding Institute, World Human Resource Development Congress and Stars of the Industry Group, ‘Health Tech Award 2021’ by Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO) Awards and ‘TM Forum Catalyst Team Award 2021-Sustainability leadership’ by TM Forum’s 2021 Catalyst awards.