Nepal, a South Asian nation, is landlocked and bordered by India and China. Being primarily mountainous due to the Himalayas, it faces significant geographic challenges affecting telecommunications and technology deployment. The country's population of approximately 30 million people is unevenly distributed, with the majority residing in rural areas, often in rugged, hard-to-reach terrains. The Kathmandu Valley, as the country's urban and economic centre, is the hub for technological innovation and infrastructure. Despite these challenges, Nepal has seen advancements in renewable energy, particularly in hydroelectric power, given its rich water resources. The technology sector in Nepal remains largely underdeveloped and underexplored, with potential for growth and development.

ITU Region
Region-3
Geographic Region
Regulatory Body
Nepal Telecommunications Authority NTA
Nepal world map

Mobile Network Operators

The are 3 companies operating mobile networks in this region.

Ncell logo
Ncell Axiata Limited, previously known as Ncell Private Limited and initially launched as Mero Mobile, is a prominent telecommunications service provider in Nepal. The company was founded in 2004 and has grown to become Nepal's second-largest telecommunications company after Nepal Telecom. Initially, Ncell was a private entity, and in 2010, it was rebranded from Mero Mobile to Ncell Private Limited by its then-parent company, TeliaSonera. In 2016, Axiata Group, a Malaysian telecommunications conglomerate, acquired Ncell, marking a significant change in its ownership. In 2020, Ncell...
Country
Nepal Telecom logo
Nepal Telecom, officially known as Nepal Doorsanchar Company Limited (नेपाल दूरसञ्चार कम्पनी लिमिटेड), is a state-owned telecommunications service provider in Nepal. The company was originally established as Nepal Telecommunications Corporation in 2032 B.S. (1975 A.D.) following the enactment of the Communications Corporation Act 2028 B.S. It was later restructured into a public limited company on April 13, 2004. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of Nepal is the parent organization. Nepal Telecom has played a pivotal role in the development of telecommunications...
Country
Smartcell Nepal logo

Smart Cell, officially known as Smart Telecom Private Limited (STPL), is a private mobile network service provider in Nepal. The company was established on July 1, 2008, and has its headquarters in Lalitpur, Bagmati Province. Smart Cell has been extending its network with the aim of covering the entire nation. It provides mobile telephony, GSM, GPRS, and 4G LTE services. Over the years, Smart Cell has become the third-largest telecom firm in Nepal, with approximately 2.2 million GSM customers as of 2021. Despite its growth, the company has faced financial controversies, including outstanding...

Country
Wireless Spectrum Bands