Nepal

Basics

Nepal has three GSM mobile operators:

• Ncell (owned by TeliaSonera and soon Axiata)
• Nepal Telecom (state owned)
• Smart Telecom (limited coverage, 2G-only)

Additionally United Telecom Limited (UTL) provides limited mobility CDMA-based services which is incompatible to GSM devices.

2G is on 900 and 1800 MHz and 3G on 2100 MHz. In 2016 the government of Nepal has begun the process of converting existing wireless licences to technology neutral permits, enabling operators to use their current 900 MHz for 3G and free their 1800 MHz frequency holdings to offer 4G/LTE services. 4G/LTE has been launched by Nepal Telecom in 2017 and soon on Ncell too.

Have in mind that given its mountainous territory, coverage can be very spotty and data speeds extremely slow outside the Kathmandu central valley.

Requirements

All SIM cards are registered in Nepal at the point of purchase. So you have to go to an outlet of the operator and show your passport. They will take a photo of you and copy your passport there. You can speed up things, if you provide a passport-sized photo and a photocopy of the face side of your passport, as their equipment is often not working. 'Furthermore, you have to fill out a customer application form.

To some prices below you need to add 13% taxes for the final price.

Ncell

NEW Ncell logo

Ncell has become market leader in Nepal and was renamed 2010 from Mero Mobile. In 2015/6 it was sold from Telia to the Malaysian Axiata Group giving it a new logo. Its 2G is on 900 and 1800 Mhz and reaches 90% of population, 3G is on 2100 Mhz in about 20 of the biggest towns. Ncell Coverage Map. Ncell is the better provider in the country, but there are still many areas uncovered and don't expect high speeds.

The start of their 4G/LTE is further delayed in 2017 by taxation issues. The goverment demands capital gains taxes from the sell off before releasing a 4G licence to them.

Availability

OLD Nepal Ncell logo

Ncell SIM cards are bought from a number of street stores, and require a passport photocopy (which the vendor will make) and a passport photo (which you bring). Some stores also take two thumbprints on the application form. Ncell Store Locators

The price for starter pack is Rs. 99 with Rs. 50 of credit and 60 domestic texts, 40 domestic minutes and 20 MB of data. You can purchase top-up scratch cards from Rs.10. For top-ups over Rs. 100, you get 5-12% bonus on top. They have two tariff lines for prepaid called Sajilo and Ramro, which don't make a big difference for data. To top-up by scratch card, type *102*<voucher code>#. For balance check enter *101#.

Data feature packages

Default tariff out of packages is Rs. 2-3 per MB depending on base plan, so better get a pack. All packages include unlimited zero-rated Wikipedia and Twitter not debited from your alllowance.

Period	Data	Price	Activation
1 day = 24 hours	6 MB	Rs. 6	6MB
	18 MB	Rs. 12	18MB
	40 MB	Rs. 20	40MB
3 days	24 MB	Rs. 18	24MB
	60 MB	Rs. 30	60MB
	120 MB	Rs. 55	120MB
7 days	50 MB	Rs. 35	50MB
	125 MB	Rs. 60	125MB
	250 MB	Rs. 110	250MB
14 days	200 MB	Rs. 120	200MB
	400 MB	Rs. 180	400MB
	800 MB	Rs. 320	800MB
30 days	1 GB	Rs. 550	1000MB
	2 GB	Rs. 850	2000MB
	3 GB	Rs. 1150	3000MB

Prices listed here, like ones listed in store, are exclusive of taxes, which is 13% plus. So for example to get a 1 GB data pack you actually need 699 * 1.13 = 789.87 Rs. credit to be able to activate it. Also strangely the recharge cards sold in shops (in amount of Rs. 50, 100, 200, 500) don't give you the full amount, again due to some tax reasons, so you actually get something like Rs. 49.02 credit for the Rs. 50 recharge card.

For activation text code to 17123. Once the volume in your data pack is over, the standard charge will apply unless you buy a new pack. To know the remaining data balance, dial *901#.

Alternatively, Ncell offers these "unlimited" data packages, which will be throttled, when you have used up all included data:

• 1 GB for 30 days: Rs. 699
• 5 GB for 30 days: Rs. 1999
• 10 GB for 30 days: Rs. 2999

Activation is by *17123#. After using up data, speed will be throttled to 32 kbps or you can buy a new package anytime.

For day surfers, Ncell offers these day data packages only valid 5am-5pm:

• 1 day: 100 MB - Rs. 20
• 7 days: 500 MB - Rs. 80
• 30 days: 2 GB - Rs. 250

For night surfers, Ncell offers these night data packages only valid 10pm-6am:

• 1 night: 40 MB - Rs. 8
• 7 nights: 250 MB - Rs. 40
• 30 nights: 1 GB - Rs. 100

Like the other packages, activation is by *17123#.

Data-only SIM

Ncell sells a data-only SIM in connection with a USB dongle called Ncell Connect. It's unclear, if you can get the SIM without the modem. The dongle is sold at Rs. 2699 with 500 MB data included. Default data is at Rs. 2 per MB and following monthly packs are offered:

• 500 MB: Rs. 399 - activation: text '500MB' to 9009
• 1 GB: Rs. 699 - activation: text '1GB' to 9009
• 5 GB: Rs. 1999 - activation: text '5GB' to 9009

To check data balance of your package, text 'status' to 9009.

Axiata roaming offer

As Ncell now belongs to the Axiata group, it offers discounted roaming on their other networks in the region: Robi in Bangladesh, Smart in Cambodia, Celcom in Malaysia and Dialog in Sri Lanka. The rate is Rs. 15 per MB data.

To activate the service, dial *17127# and follow the instruction. Roaming service must be activated prior to leaving Nepal. Standard roaming charges will be applicable, if you are connected to other networks while roaming.

More Info

• APN: web
• Website: http://www.ncell.com.np

Nepal Telecom (NTC)

Nepal Telecom (NTC) is the state owned, national provider in Nepal. It has a monopoly on landlines and broadband, but competes with Ncell for mobile customers. NTC uses 900 Mhz for 2G and 2100 Mhz for 3G. Simultanously, it runs a CDMA network too. GSM-coverage is worse than Ncell and 3G is only available in in parts of Kathmandu and Pokhara so far: 3G Coverage List.

4G/LTE has started as first provider in Nepal in 2017 on 1800 MHz in the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara only so far for postpaid customers and opened for prepaid from February 4th, 2017. NTC signed 40,000 LTE users in two weeks alone. Note that Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 devices are currently not compatible with NT’s 1800 MHz LTE network. The telco says it is working with the manufacturer to remedy this.

Availability

Their prepaid card is called "Namaste" (Welcome). It is available in their stores and sales outlets for Rs. 90. It contains a welcome letter with SIM serial number, mobile phone number, PIN/PUK numbers and security cod, an User's Guide and the SIM card with Rs. 50 airtime.

For their 4G/LTE service you need a new 4G/LTE compatible SIM that is sold in their shops in the coverage areas of the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara.

Your "Namaste" account is instantly activated, when you make your first call. Either you can dial 1414 or any other number for the first call. Your first call will be diverted to Nepal Telecom Management Centre and you will hear voice prompt from our system. Along with the "Namaste" service information, you will be given the option of choosing the language (English or Nepali) at this time. Make choice according to your need. After the release of this call you can use the "Namaste" service.

Recharge cards are available in five denominations of Rs. 50, Rs. 100, Rs. 200, Rs.500 and Rs.1000 giving 60 days to 2 years validity.

Default data rate

NTC's default prepaid data rate is Rs. 1 per MB, and it's stays always at this rate, which means that NTC doesn't sell any data bundles yet.

More Info

• APN: ntnet

• Website: http://www.ntc.net.np

Smart Telecom

Fixed-wireless operator Smart Telecom was granted a licence in 2013 allowing it to expand into the mobile market. So far it only has coverage in a few provinces (coverage map) and can't be recommended. Furthermore, it's on 2G/GSM on 1800 MHz only.

They sell two SIM cards at Rs. 99 in their starter called Sath Sath Smart Cell Pack containing Rs. 25 credit. The only data rate is Rs. 2 per MB going down to Rs. 1 per MB at night (10pm-6am).

• Website: http://www.smarttel.com.np