As per previous speculation, Government owned telecom operator: Nepal Telecom has launched 4G network today in Nepal. In a grand event at Soaltee Hotel, Nepal Telecom has made a soft launch of 4G services first available in Kathmandu and Pokhara. In presence of several government officials including Minister of Information & communication, secretary MOIC, MD Nepal Telecom and senior ranking officials of the company, Ntc has announced the availability of 4G services along with a promotional offer.
Ntc made soft launch of 4G for Post-paid users only for now. For prepaid users, Ntc 4G launches on 4th Feb (Magh 22, 2073). Read more.
Soft launch of 4G
At first, 4G service is available to post paid users only. The commercial launch of 4G to all customers, including GSM Prepaid will be on Feb 4, 2017 (Magh 22, 2073). Postpaid users in Kathmandu and Pokhara can use the Ntc 4G service, if they have 4G compatible handsets and USIM card. Only for very old SIM cards, they need to replace it for 4G compatibility.
They have also provided a promotional offer to post paid users who subscribe 4G within this month. The offer include 4 GB data, 1 GB each for 4 days for free.
Where Ntc 4G is available?
Nepal Telecom 4G is available in city areas of Kathmandu and Pokhara. For Kathmandu, there is seamless coverage of 4G in the inside ring-road area and dense household areas near ring-road. 4G is still available towards the outskirts region but it is not continuous. As known, the same condition holds true for the 4G coverage in Pokhara. There are around 300 LTE Base stations in Kathmandu and Pokhara in the first stage. The no of base stations (tower) will be increased in later stage.
When Ntc 4G available for prepaid users?
Soft launch of 4G service is now only for postpaid users. For prepaid users, Ntc 4G will be available after Feb 4, 2017 (Magh 22, 2073).
Services with 4G LTE
Currently It is known that only high speed internet service that you can get with Nepal Telecom 4G. As LTE is a data only technology, few operators abroad are using Voice over LTE feature for Voice call. There is no VoLTE service available now with soft launch of 4G service. The phone will itself go to 2G or 3G mode for voice call.
What is the Nepal Telecom’s frequency band for 4G?
Nepal Telecom is currently using 1800 MHz (band 3) for 4G LTE. So if you want to look for 4G support in handset specifications, please find LTE band 3 support.
Does my iPhone support Nepal Telecom 4G?
It was in the news that iPhone does not support Nepal Telecom 4G. But the truth is, only the latest iPhone like 6s, 6s plus, 7 and 7 plus currently does not support their 4G. As Apple needs to open Nepal Telecom 4G network code in the latest handsets, It could not be done due to Christmas holidays and their negligence in supporting small country like Nepal. Nepal Telecom 4G runs smoothly with iPhone 5, iPhone 5s and iPhone 5C phones. Handsets before iPhone 5 does not support 4G LTE at all. As Nepal Telecom are in touch with official Apple personnel to make the devices support their 4G network, it will be solved till they launch commercially for all.
How can we activate NT 4G in our SIM/ number?
After having support for 4G in your handset and SIM, you should put your phone in LTE preferred mode by going to Settings, Mobile network, Preferred network type or network mode. Postpaid users need to dial *444# to activate 4G in their number. They will also get the promotional offer of free data with the offer.
If you have any question for launch of 4G in Ntc, please feel free to ask us.
