Telecommunications Regulations Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems Internet Service Providers (ISPs) Mobile Network Operators
Nepal’s telecommunication sector has approximately 43.06 million of subscriptions for voice telephony services according to the MIS report published by Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) in January 2020. 72.16% of the population use some form of Internet Broadband Service, such as Mobile Broadband (55.30%), Wired Broadband (16.10%) or Wireless Broadband (0.76%). Nepal Telecom or NT (also known as Nepal Doorsanchar Company Ltd – NDCL), Ncell Pvt. Ltd, Nepal Satellite Telecom Pvt. Ltd (NSTPL), Smart Telecom Pvt. Ltd (STPL) and CG Telecom P.L. (STM) are the five telecom and mobile network operators active in Nepal. Nepal Telecom has a 55.39% share in the telecommunications market. Similarly, Ncell owns another 39.75% share, Smart Telecom has 4.85%and other has 0.01%. (Source: MIS Report)
The total coverage of the existing telecom companies within the country indicates a relatively lower network availability in the Karnali Province compared to other provinces in the country. Telecommunication coverage is mainly concentrated in the Bagmati Province and the Terai areas.
Nepal Telecom is a state-owned telecommunication service provider. The company was the only service provider until 2003 when first private sector operator UTL started providing basic telephony services. The central office of NT is in Kathmandu and it has a presence in 184 locations across the country. It is the largest telecom operator in Nepal in terms of number of staff and presence across the country.
The number of base transceiver station (BTS) towers gives a picture on coverage of Nepal Telecom service in the provinces:
Sudurpaschim Province has 314 BTS Towers covering 8 districts. Karnali Province has 122 BTS towers covering 8 districts (except Humla and Dolpa*), Central region has 708 BTS covering Bagmati Province and part of Province 2 districts, Eastern region has 720 BTS covering Province 1 and part of Province 2 districts, Western region has 734 BTS covering Gandaki Province and part of Lumbini Province districts, Kathmandu has 579 BTS covering Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts of Bagmati Province.
Optical fibre is laid out in the major cities. The network of optical fibre connects cities to neighbouring urban areas. BTS Towers transmit and receive the signal via radio link in and out of the rural districts. Commercial VSAT services are offered in remote and mountainous areas.
The coverage of the Nepal Telecom’s Voice Telephony service is illustrated via Mobile World Live GSM coverage maps (https://www.gsma.com/coverage/)
United Telecom Ltd. is a consortium of three telecom companies in India and a Nepalese company. UTL’s coverage is illustrated on their Website as Pre sent Network (http://utlnepal.com/network_and_coverage.php) .
Ncell Pvt. Ltd. has been working in Nepal since 2004 as the first private mobile operator in the country. NCell’s network coverage (https://www.ncell. axiata.com/About-Us/Coverage) as illustrated through their infographic.
Nepal Satellite Telecom Pvt. Ltd. was established in 2008. Currently, it provides services to areas west of Bagmati Province. Nepal Satellite Telecom’s coverage is illustrated on their Website as Our Coverage (https://www.hellonepalgsm.com/about/coverage.php).
Smart Telecom Pvt Ltd was established in July 2008. It covers 45 districts of Nepal as illustrated by Smart Network Coverage (https://www.smarttel.com. np/network-coverage).
For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: 4.11 Nepal Additional Services Contact List.
Telephone Services
Is there an existing landline Yes, in all district headquarters telephone network?
Does it allow international Yes calls?
Number and Length of Clusters of Base Transceiver Station (BTS) Tower form a web of radio link connections. Neighbouring Towers share Downtime Periods (on Traffic load at the time when a Tower malfunctions, which minimizes downtime periods. average)
Mobile Phone Providers Nepal Doorsanchar Company Limited (GSM, CDMA)
United Telecom (CDMA)
Ncell Private Limited (GSM)
Nepal Satellite Telecom Pvt. Ltd (GSM)
Smart Telecom Pvt LTD (GSM)
Page 1 Approximate Percentage of 98% of Telephone Service is mobile-based services. National Coverage
This links shows the telecommunication services and its coverage in Nepal.
Telecommunications Regulations
Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) is the telecommunications regulatory body of Nepal. It is an autonomous body established in February 1998 in accordance with the Telecommunications Act, 1997 and Telecommunications Regulation, 1998. Its objective is to create a favourable and competitive environment for the development, expansion, and operation of telecommunications services with the private sector participation in Nepal.
Regulations on Usage and Import
Regulations in Place? Regulating Authority
Satellite Yes Nepal Telecommunication Authority
HF Radio Yes Nepal Telecommunication Authority
UHF/VHF/HF Radio: Handheld, Base, and Mobile Yes Nepal Telecommunication Authority
UHF/VHF Repeaters Yes Nepal Telecommunication Authority
GPS Yes Nepal Telecommunication Authority
VSAT Yes Nepal Telecommunication Authority
Individual Network Operator Licenses Required?
Yes
Frequency Licenses Required
Yes from Nepal Telecommunication Authority
Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems
Agencies with their own telecommunications systems are United Nations, Nepal Red Cross Society, Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, major embassies and Asian Development Bank.The most common telecom equipment used is VHF and HF radios, satellite phones, Broadband Global Area Networks, and VSATs.
The UN agencies operate a telecom system under the same umbrella managed by UNDSS. A common Radio Room is manned 24/7 by radio operators from UNDSS in Kathmandu. Similarly, there is UNDSS Radio Room at Damak in Province 1, which operates from 7 am to 7 pm daily. There are Local Security Assistants (LSA) for eastern and western region as defined by UN security system in the country.
A VHF network is established across the country along the East-West highway. However, for travel in the hilly and mountainous regions, staff have to rely on HF radio and satellite phones. Additionally, mission vehicles are equipped with GSM or satellite tracking systems, HF and VHF mobile radios for communications.
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
The six major Telecommunication providers along with 103 other companies are registered as Internet Service providers. List of authorized companies to provide the internet with email service: Internet Service Provider in Nepal (https://nta.gov.np/en/internet-with-email-2/)
Wired Broadband services are provided through coaxial cable or optic fibre. Wireless Broadband services like Wi-Fi and WiMax and Mobile Broadband-like 3G, 4G services are available. Of these services 3G and 4G is the most popular choice among consumers.
Internet Service Providers
Are there ISPs available? Yes
If yes, are they privately or government owned? Government - 1
Private - 108
Dial-up only? No, ADSL and fiber optics
Page 2 Approximate Rates (local currency and USD - $) Unlimited data 15-22$/Month 30 Mbps, NPR 1,550/month 60 Mbps, NPR 2,200/month
Broadband
Max Leasable ‘Dedicated’ Bandwidth As specified by the organization’s requirement
Mobile Network Operators
Nepal Telecom’s GSM 4G LTE, CDMA2000 (3G, EVDO) and 4G WiMAX services can be accessed by acquiring a SIM card, NT recharge card and USB dongle for WiMAX. SIM cards have to be purchased from NT offices, but NT Recharge cards can be purchased through any retail shop or digitally by using mobile money services.
NCELL mobile service is GSM 4G LTE standard. NCELLs SIM card could be purchased through NCELL offices particularly in urban areas and SIM recharge cards can be acquired through retails shops or digital mobile money services. Upload speed can be 18 Mbps to 3 Mbps and download speed can be 37 Mbps to 10 Mbps.
Company Number of Network Strength Contact for Humanitarian or Services Offered (I.e., Merchant Payment, Bulk Agent Outlets Government Cash Transfer disbursement, Receive & Make Payment) by Area Programmes?
Nepal Telecom Refer to the map Reliable, but coverage No No varies within districts
Ncell Pvt. Ltd Refer to the map Reliable, but coverage No No varies within districts
United Refer to the map Reliable, but coverage No No Telecom varies within districts Limited
Nepal Satellite Refer to the map Reliable, but coverage No No Telecom Pvt. varies within districts Ltd
Smart Telecom Refer to the map Reliable, but coverage No No Pvt. Ltd varies within districts
For additional information on Mobile Network Operators in Nepal please visit the GSM Association website.
Link for Nepal Media Survey 2019 and Findings (http://www.sharecast.org.np/nepal-media-survey-2019-findings/)
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