Frequency bands in Nepal for Mobile | Cellular Spectrum

As we have been getting requests from people throughout the world regarding the operating frequency for different mobile technologies in Nepal, we are here providing you with different frequency bands for running mobile services here. It is the regulator body (Nepal Telecommunication Authority) that provides a chunk of frequency in different frequency bands to the Mobile Operators. Mobile communication has started in Nepal in 1999 with the launching of GSM service by Nepal Telecom. (For more history, click here)

Find the spectrum bands of Nepal for several cellular technologies from 2G, to 3G to 4G to upcoming 5G, below.

2G bands in Nepal

At first, it was only in 900 MHz for 2G GSM and then after several years, 1800 MHz was available. The private operator, then Spice Nepal started service in Nepal in 2005 with Mero Mobile Brand (Now Ncell). Nepal Telecom enjoyed a full monopoly until Mero Mobile service was launched to different parts of the country.

CDMA band

In 2002, CDMA mobile service was launched in Nepal by UTL operated in 850 MHz bands. Similarly, Nepal Telecom also used the CDMA mobile service operating in the same 850 MHz band which came from WLL, limited mobility to a full mobility service.

As some bandwidth in CDMA 850 MHz overlapped with the EGSM band (900 MHz), that small chunk is made unavailable to the operators. Smart Telecom and NTSTPL had also got small chunks of bandwidth in GSM 900(EGSM)/1800 MHz. UTL, the Indian investment of telecom in Nepal operated CDMA in 1900 MHz band before whereas it was made vacant as per NTA directives. Nepal Telecom shutdown CDMA service in 2023. Later NTA also revoked UTL license and the unused frequency spectrum, as per the rule in Radio Frequency Policy for Telecom services.

3G bands in Nepal

Nepal Telecom launched 3G (WCDMA) mobile service in 2007 which is on 2100 MHz Frequency band. Ncell even started its 3G service in 2010. Nepal Telecom has got 10 MHz bandwidth in the 2100 MHz band. However Ncell has added 5 MHz extra after the Auction to make it a total of 15 MHz in band 1 (2100MHz). Similarly, Ncell also uses 900 MHz band for 3G UMTS service, which it shares with 2G service.

4G bands in Nepal

The latest addition to the cellular technology in Nepal is LTE (4G). Nepal Telecom launched 4G service in the 1800 MHz band on Jan 1, 2017. Nepal also has WiMAX internet service which was operational in 2300 MHz by Nepal Telecom but has been already shut down now. On June 1, 2017, Ncell launched 4G in Kathmandu, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, and Banepa. Both Ntc and Ncell have been aggressively expanding their 4G LTE mobile network throughout the country. Click here to know more about Ncell 4G coverage.

On October 29, Smart Telecom, the third-largest telecom operator also launched its 4G service in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Smart Telecom has also expanded its 4G network but now its service is also closed. Ncell has already operated 3G & 4G service in 900 MHz in rural areas, reaching out further.

After expanding the new 4G network, NTC 4G coverage has now reached more than 92% of local levels of all 77 districts. Ncell has also started operating 4G LTE on 900 MHz now, with which it expects to boost the coverage and speed.

Nepal Telecom has been using two bands for its 4G LTE network namely 1800 MHz and 800 MHz. Find more info on the Nepal Telecom 4G bands and how to get the most out of them.

Table for Frequency bands in Nepal

Here is a table for all the frequency bands in Nepal for different technologies.

Frequency Allocation of several spectrum bands in Nepal

Here is the recent status of the allocated frequency in Nepal for 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G bands to Nepali telecom operartors. You could notice the strikethrough (cross mark) in the Nepal Telecom’s CDMA and UTL’s frequency band. First Ntc has already shutdown CDMA service, and gave back the spectrum to NTA. And for UTL, its license is now scrapped and the allotted frequency has also been taken back.

If you want to know any specific information about frequency bands of cellular technologies in Nepal, do comment below or reach out to us.