Telecommunication service provider Ncell has bagged the Telecom Asia Awards 2017 for implementing the most innovative telecom project in Asia Pacific. Telecom Asia, one of Asia’s largest regional telecom publishing group is the organiser and the awards are aimed at rewarding innovative and outstanding performances by Asian service providers and industry executives.

Ncell was declared the winner after an independent panel of jury judged Ncell’s initiative with Gham Power Nepal to connect the unconnected off-grid communities with telecom as well as energy by promoting off-grid clean power solutions, as the most innovative project implemented by telecom service providers in Asia Pacific reads a statement issued by the company.

Under the initiative, Ncell collaborated with local micro-grid operator, Gham Power, to connect the unconnected off-grid communities of Khotang and Udaypur districts with mobile and energy services. As a result of the initiatives, people in 31 VDCs now have access to Ncell mobile network. Surplus capacity of the micro grid has contributed in electrification of communities and created new economic opportunities and social benefits for the local people.

“We are delighted that our efforts to connect the unconnected and fulfill dynamic connectivity needs of off-grid communities has won international plaudit. The win is testament to Ncell’s exemplary works and commitment towards socio-economic advancement of the country,” Simon Perkins, managing director of Ncell said in a press statement.

Other projects shortlisted for the Most Innovative Telecom Project were Google’s Project Loon, China Unicom’s IoT based smart parking and SK Telecom’s first virtual assistant service ‘Nugu’.

Ncell’s project was declared the best based on a criteria of innovation, financial performance, technology, market leadership and corporate governance. According to latest MIS (Management Information System) report of Nepal Telecommunications Authority, Ncell has 15.02 million voice service subscribers and 6.09 million data service subscribers.