Ncell Gains Approval to Launch 4G Services Across Nepal
Key Takeaways
- Ncell receives official approval to launch 4G services in Nepal
- Service will start on June 1, focusing first on Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Damauli
- Will utilize the same 1800 MHz frequency as NTC's 4G, with additional 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands granted
Ncell, the largest ICT service provider in Nepal, has obtained the necessary approvals from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to introduce 4G services to its lineup. This development follows considerable scrutiny and calls for restraint due to ongoing controversies involving corporate taxes, yet the authority has permitted the expansion under the guidelines set in the 2016 Frequency Policy's Technology Neutrality clause.
The 4G service from Ncell is scheduled to begin operations on June 1. It will initially focus on Kathmandu valley, Pokhara, and Damauli, with plans to gradually extend coverage to Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, and Butwal in subsequent phases. Ncell will operate using the 1800 MHz frequency band, the same as NTC's existing 4G service, and has additionally been allocated access to the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands to enhance high-speed internet delivery.
Since NTC introduced 4G services in early 2017, over six million users in Nepal have adopted the technology, although current availability remains concentrated in Kathmandu valley and Pokhara. While NTC's 4G speeds average around 30 Mbps—well below the theoretical 100 Mbps capacity—Ncell has yet to reveal expected performance metrics for its upcoming service. Given the shared frequency band, similar speed experiences may be anticipated for Ncell users once the service goes live.
