Nepal Telecom to Introduce Free 4G Service in Kathmandu and Pokhara Starting January 1
Key Takeaways
- Free 4G service for four days starting January 1, 2017, exclusive to NTC postpaid users
- Speeds of up to 30-40 Mbps, operating under current 2G/3G tariff plans temporarily
- Selected areas in Kathmandu and Pokhara only, with potential SIM card changes required for activation
Nepal Telecom Launches 4G Service in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Nepal Telecom (NT) will begin offering fourth-generation mobile network services in Kathmandu and Pokhara valleys starting Sunday, January 1, 2017. The state-owned provider plans a four-day free trial period to introduce customers to the new connectivity option.
During this promotional window, only postpaid NTC customers may access the 4G network. Prepaid users will gain access later once the necessary arrangements are completed. Because tariff approvals were delayed due to public holidays, the service will run using existing 2G and 3G pricing structures for the initial phase.
Under these temporary rates, internet access costs Re.1 per MB (before tax) for users without active packages. Standard voice calls cost Re.1 per minute between 6 AM and 10 PM, while nighttime calls (10 PM to 6 AM) are priced at 55 paisa per minute. Video calling over 3G costs Rs.2 per minute for both prepaid and postpaid lines, and MMS transmission is Rs.1.50 per minute.
The new 4G network promises download speeds ranging from 30 to 40 MB per second, markedly faster than previous generations. Service availability will be limited to specific zones within the two valleys, though exact locations remain undisclosed. Some subscribers may need to replace their SIM cards to activate 4G capabilities, and not all customers will be able to connect immediately on launch day.
NT received official permission to operate 4G services in these valleys on October 21, 2016, and has conducted extensive testing since. Notably, the tests revealed that iOS devices before the iPhone 5 model cannot utilize the 4G network, meaning older iPhones will remain on earlier connectivity generations. NT has not pursued appeals to address this compatibility gap.
The Telecommunications Authority of Nepal (NTA) allowed NT to introduce promotional tariffs for three months following the soft launch. NT will utilize five megahertz out of its allocated 15 MHz spectrum to establish the 4G infrastructure. Both NT and private competitor Ncell have sought licenses to provide 4G services in Nepal, though NTA has delayed Ncell's application due to unresolved capital gains tax matters.
As part of its introductory strategy, NT will supply 1GB of free data to each participant daily throughout the first four days of January. This initiative aims to acquaint users with the benefits of the new network before standard pricing takes effect. The authority emphasized that customers who exhaust their free allocation during this period will not receive additional complimentary data later in the month.
This development marks a significant step forward for internet connectivity in Nepal's capital region and the nearby Pokhara valley.
