Nepal Satellite Telecom (NST) is slated to launch its telecommunication service based on GSM technology on Sept. 24 from mid-western Nepal, local media reported on Friday.

 GSM (global system for mobile communications) is the most popular standard for mobile phones in the world.

NST plans to inaugurate the service by making a conference call between Kathmandu, Dang and Rolpa.

"In the initial phase, we will be extending our phone service to 273 remote village development committees of mid-western Nepal as directed by the government," NST executive director Ajeya Sumargi was quoted by eKantipur.com as saying.

 He said that the first phase will cost around 25 million US dollars. NST's 10-digit phone number starts with 963, and its brand logo is "Hello Nepal".

The company has already completed setting up 68 base tower stations in 15 districts of mid-western Nepal.

 NST aims to distribute 500,000 prepaid and post-paid SIM cards in the first phase out of its capacity of 1 million lines.

 Sumargi said that except for 11 base tower stations, the rest were equipped with solar battery backup lasting up to five hours to ensure smooth operation even during power cuts.

According to the report, NST aims to acquire an international gateway and provide code division multiple access (CDMA) telecom service in the near future.

 Starting its service from the mid-west, NST aims to become a model telecom network spreading its service across the country within a few years.