If you are aware of the telecom business here in Nepal, then you probably know how many telecom operators/companies/service providers are there in Nepal. Except for one, all other telecom operators are mobile service providers that operate a cellular mobile network in different parts of Nepal. There is only one landline service provider, NTC (Nepal Telecom) aka Nepal Doorsanchar which has got all the telecom services available in Nepal, including Mobile.
NTA, Nepal Telecommunication Authority provides the license and the frequency for the operation of Mobile Networks. As of 2014, the basic telephony license to operate service in the whole of Nepal is a Unified license. Here we have also included the information if the operators have got a unified license below.
Table of contents
Telecom service providers/companies and services of Nepal
There are altogether six Telecom companies/operators here in Nepal. Among which 5 are mobile/cellular service providers. Out of which, NTA has revoked the license of four telcos namely Smart Telecom, UTL, Nepal Satellite (NSTPL aka Hello Mobile) and CG Telecom. The following table shows the list of telecom operators along with their services and subscribers.
| S.N | Telecom Network operators | Services | Subscribers | Operation |
| 1 | Nepal Telecom (NTC) | Landline, GSM, WCDMA, LTE(4G), ADSL, WiFi, WBB | 21.5 million | Yes |
| 2 | Ncell | GSM, WCDMA, LTE (4G), WBB | 13 million | Yes |
| 3 | Smart Telecom (STPL) | GSM, LTE( 4G) | 2.4 million | No |
| 4 | UTL | CDMA (Fixed and Mobile), Planned GSM, Planned LTE( 4G) | Not operational | No |
| 5 | Nepal Satellite (NSTPL) a.k.a Hello mobile | GSM (Limited area), Midwest and Far-west region | Not operational | No |
| 6 | CG Telecom (previously STM) | Remote telephony from VSAT, GMPCS, Planned GSM and LTE (4G) | Not operational | No |
The above number is based on the NTA data as of Sept 2023.
Among them, the four operators Smart Telecom, UTL, NSTPL, and CG Telecom have not been operating their mobile network due to several issues. So, Currently, there are only two operational telecom operators in Nepal: Ntc, Ncell.
In terms of the unified license, four operators have got permission. So, all of them can operate the mobile network across the country. It was interesting to know that the Smart Telecom invested in 4G without having a 3G network but its out of sight after NTA revoked its license.
The requirement of high-speed internet will be provided by 4G and the traditional voice be provided by 2G GSM technology. Read about the Frequency bands for the Mobile service 2G, 3G, 4G in Nepal.
Network code of the telecom operator in Nepal
Here is the network code for the telecom operators in Nepal, which includes MCC and MNC (Mobile country code, Mobile Network code).
| S.N. | Operator | Technology | MCC | MNC | Operator Code |
| 1 | Ntc (Nepal Telecom) | GSM | 429 | 01 | 429-01 |
| 2 | Ncell | GSM | 429 | 02 | 429-02 |
| 3 | Ntc | CDMA | 429 | 03 | 429-03 |
Now let’s go with the details of the telecom operators in Nepal among the list and one by one.
1. Nepal Telecom
NTC (Nepal Telecom) is a government-owned telecom company so its service is even available in remotest place of Nepal. Nepal Telecom has the obligation to provide telecom services in all parts of the country. It has got telecom services from 2G, 3G, 4G to CDMA to WiMAX to FTTH to ADSL, and more. Regarding SIM card, if you want to use all the features and services, make sure you take SIM card and subscribe to all services from the Ntc office itself.
Nepal Telecom has 4G coverage available in all 77 districts which has been extended to all parts of the country, whether it is in city urban areas or in remote areas. These days Nepal telecom data packs have also been quite interesting and favorable to customers.
Similarly, Ntc even has a 4G Wireless broadband service suitable for the internet solution in far flung remote areas, in the name of Namaste Wifi service.
Read more: How to check the balance in Ntc?
2. Ncell
Ncell is a leading private telecom service provider, which is owned by Spectrlite UK, after buying 80% stake from Axiata. They had been owned by TeliaSonera Company before. Likewise, they used to operate in Mero Mobile brand. The private Telco competes well with the Government-owned Telecom service provider, Nepal Telecom. They have been coming up with the aggressive expansion and plans for the whole area of Nepal.
Read: How to check the balance in Ncell?
Being a private company, they are focused on more profitable areas and their marketing promotion has also been aggressive. As we mentioned before, they have quite a good 4G coverage in Nepal, specially in city areas. They keep on adding the latest technology and features in their network to provide better services to the customers. They also have a 4G based wireless broadband service in the name of Wirefree+ home internet.
Find all of the data packages in Ncell.
Which mobile operator or SIM card to choose?
So, if you want to choose one mobile operator/service provider for the SIM card, then you need to know your requirements where you want to use it. The two operators have got a mobile network throughout the country. They are Ntc and Ncell. This is for all those who have or prefer the GSM network. So, if you want to roam around the country, then definitely go for one of them.
Ntc vs Ncell
Now both the operators Nepal Telecom and Ncell have a good 4G network here in Kathmandu and major cities. Nepal Telecom has expanded its 4G coverage to all 77 districts and the major areas of the country. Similarly, Ncell has 4G coverage in over 71 districts.
- Quality of service: Ntc Vs Ncell: More or less similar. Ntc found the best for Telecom service. Read more here.
- Price or tariff: Ntc is found to be cheaper than Ncell.
Read Ntc vs Ncell data pack.
Earlier they used to operate CDMA mobile service, whose signal could be found even in the remotest places of Nepal. But Ntc has already shutdown CDMA service in 2023. Likewise, they even sunset WiMAX service in the early 2023.
Find all of the offers in Nepal Telecom.
3. Smart Telecom
The third operator Smart Telecom was also expanding its network to different places in the country. Smart Cell was the mobile brand name of Smart Telecom. It was available only in major cities and areas of the country. However, the telco could not expand its 2G and 4G services to more areas, though it was operated from more than 5 years. Find the latest coverage of Smart Telecom, when it was running. Now that it could not clear the dues pending to NTA, its license was abandoned.
4. UTL
UTL was a CDMA operator, which had got the unified license and GSM frequency, necessary to operate 2G in the whole of Nepal. Now, they have shut down their CDMA service. We have heard about the UTL 2G for a long time but since they could not revive from GSM, NTA has also revoked UTL license in 2023.
5. Hello Mobile
Hello Mobile is another brand for the limited GSM mobile service. Nepal Satellite Pvt. Ltd (Mukti Group) is another mobile service provider with Hello mobile brand. They had been operating limited GSM services in the Far western and Midwestern regions. But their limited GSM service is also not operational now due to some fault in their network and the pending dues to NTA.
NTA decided to scrap its license although its mobile network was already not operational from long time.
6. CG Telecom
Chaudhary Group, the largest business house of Nepal entered into telecom sector by buying STM, a satellite-based telecom operator. CG Telecom is speculated to be the latest operating mobile service in the country with 4G. But they still could not get the unified license and the spectrum to operate the 4G network.
The government had once decided to provide a unified license to CG Telecom. But the regulator has not provided the license and the frequency for the operation of mobile service.
We expected CG to partner with the some telco giant or telecom equipment supplier for the operation of the telecom service. CG Telecom announced to revolutionize the telecom market in Nepal by providing free voice and affordable data. But the circumstances have not been favorable to Chaudhary Group in getting the license to operate mobile service in the whole of the country. NTA has also revoked its limited mobility license for operating GSM based mobile service in some parts of the country. Recently, their rural telecom service license was also cancelled automatically for non-compliance.
Companies Merger??
There is a debate on how many telecom service providers are actually in Nepal? People argue that the six number of telcos is quite huge for a small country like Nepal. They also suggest we do not need more than three telecom companies in Nepal. But now, we only have two network operators operational in Nepal. NTA is also looking for a foreign telecom company to enable more competition.
The merging policy for telecom companies is also pending for a long time, this could have saved the telcos, if brought earlier. This would have reduced the no of telecom service providers in Nepal and helped them sustain for the long term in the market. But its too late as some of the telcos have already left the market. It is for sure that many international giants and even national business groups want to invest in this industry: once a lucrative market. All we need is a conducive environment for the investment in such huge figures.
If you have any queries about any telecom operator/service providers and mobile networks in Nepal, feel free to ask us.
