Nepal Telecom

Nepal Telecom is the consumer-facing brand of Nepal Doorsanchar Company Limited, Nepal's state-owned telecommunications operator. The company is the successor to the country's government telecommunications organization and operates one of Nepal's largest communications networks. Its activities cover fixed-line telephony, GSM mobile services, legacy CDMA services, broadband internet, fiber connectivity, leased lines, ISDN and other telecommunications infrastructure and access products. The company serves both individual customers and institutional users, and its network extends across urban centers, regional towns and rural areas of Nepal. The roots of Nepal's telecommunications system predate the corporate brand by several decades. A direct line between Kathmandu and Raxaul was established in 1914, following the beginning of telecommunications activity in Nepal in 1913. Telephone exchanges and intercity links expanded during the 1930s and early 1950s. Kathmandu received a central-battery telephone exchange in 1950, while wireless services were introduced in the same period and progressively extended to districts across the country. Administration initially sat within the Department of Communications, before telecommunications received a dedicated departmental structure in 1959. Nepal Telecommunications Corporation was formally established as a wholly government-owned corporation in 1972 under the Communications Corporation Act. In 2004, it was reorganized and renamed Nepal Doorsanchar Company Limited under the Companies Act of 1997. The Nepal Telecom brand is used widely for the company's public services. The operator historically held a monopoly over Nepal's telecommunications market, but competition began to develop when United Telecom Limited entered basic telephone services in 2003. Nepal Telecom's GSM mobile monopoly ended in 2005 after the arrival of Ncell, then operating as Mero Mobile. The company broadened its technology portfolio as competition and customer demand increased. It introduced nationwide GSM services in 2003 and subsequently developed or offered GPRS, 3G, HSDPA, CDMA, EVDO, ADSL, WiMAX, fiber-to-the-home and 4G LTE services. Nepal Telecom launched the country's first 4G LTE service on 1 January 2017 using the 1800 MHz band. The service was made available across all seven provinces, marking a major transition toward high-speed mobile data. The company later tested Voice over LTE in July 2019 and made VoLTE available to subscribers on 17 May 2021. Internal 5G testing has also taken place in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Birgunj, although the referenced material describes this activity as limited to trials rather than a full commercial launch. Nepal Telecom remains especially important in fixed infrastructure and nationwide access. It is described as Nepal's sole provider of fixed-line, ISDN and leased-line services, while also maintaining a large mobile and internet customer base. In 2019, the company had approximately 20 million users across fixed, GSM, CDMA and internet services. A Nepal Telecommunications Authority market report from April 2019 recorded Nepal Telecom as the largest cable-internet provider, with 211,513 subscribers and an 84 percent share of that segment. The operator also provided WiMAX service to approximately 88,000 users at that time. The company has more than 3,800 employees and maintains branches, exchanges and offices in 184 locations nationwide. Its public-service role includes extending telecommunications into rural and difficult-to-serve parts of Nepal, where commercial network economics can be challenging. This nationwide mandate distinguishes Nepal Telecom from a purely urban or mobile-focused operator, although it competes with private providers in mobile, broadband and data services. Its current identity combines legacy public telecommunications infrastructure with ongoing migration toward fiber, LTE, VoLTE and future-generation mobile technologies.

Nepal's telecommunications history began in the early twentieth century. Telecommunications activity was established in 1913, and a direct connection between Kathmandu and Raxaul was completed in 1914. During the 1930s, the network developed through the installation of automatic telephone lines in Kathmandu in 1935 and the construction of a Kathmandu–Dhankuta link in 1936. Additional intercity connections followed, including links to Palpa in 1951 and Bhairahawa in 1953. Public telephone service in Kathmandu took an important step forward in 1950 with the installation of a central-battery exchange. Wireless communications were introduced during the same period and initially connected Kathmandu, Bhairahawa, Ilam, Dhankuta and Biratnagar. By 1952, wireless coverage had expanded to districts including Doti, Dang, Jumla, Dailekh, Salyan, Okhaldhunga and Rajbiraj. Further stations were later established in places such as Jaleshwar, Ramechhap, Bandipur, Terathum, Taplejung, Dadeldhura and Baitadi, followed by expansion to Baglung, Palpa, Dhangadhi, Pokhara, Bhojpur and Birgunj. Telecommunications administration was initially handled by the Department of Communications and was transferred to a dedicated Department of Telecommunications in 1959. The institutional predecessor of Nepal Telecom was created in 1972, when Nepal Telecommunications Corporation was established as a wholly government-owned corporation under the Communications Corporation Act. This organization operated the country's public telecommunications systems for decades. In 2004, it was reorganized under the Companies Act of 1997 and adopted the legal name Nepal Doorsanchar Company Limited. Nepal Telecom became the principal public brand associated with the company's fixed, mobile and data services. For much of its early corporate history, the operator functioned as a telecommunications monopoly. That position began to change in 2003, when United Telecom Limited became the first private operator to provide basic telephone services. Nepal Telecom also introduced nationwide GSM mobile services in 2003, beginning its transition from a primarily fixed and government-network operator toward a multi-technology communications company. In 2005, the arrival of Ncell, then called Mero Mobile, ended Nepal Telecom's monopoly in GSM mobile services. The company subsequently expanded through several generations of telecommunications technology. Its portfolio came to include GPRS, HSDPA, 3G, CDMA, EVDO, ADSL, WiMAX and fiber-based broadband. Nepal Telecom also retained a distinctive role in fixed telecommunications: the referenced account identifies it as Nepal's sole provider of fixed-line, ISDN and leased-line services. This infrastructure position complemented its growing mobile network and enabled the company to serve households, businesses and public institutions. On 1 January 2017, Nepal Telecom launched Nepal's first 4G LTE service. The initial LTE deployment used the technology-neutral 1800 MHz frequency band and was described as available in all seven provinces. The launch represented a major change in the country's mobile-data market and gave the state-owned operator a newer platform for broadband growth. The company successfully tested VoLTE in July 2019 and made the service available to subscribers on 17 May 2021. Nepal Telecom has also explored later-generation network technology. Internal 5G trials were conducted in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Birgunj, but the referenced material characterizes these as limited tests rather than a confirmed nationwide commercial rollout. By 2019, Nepal Telecom had approximately 20 million users across fixed-line, GSM, CDMA and internet services. In the same period, a Nepal Telecommunications Authority market report recorded 211,513 cable-internet subscribers and an 84 percent share for Nepal Telecom in that segment; the company also served approximately 88,000 WiMAX users. The operator's infrastructure and public-enterprise status give it a nationwide role. It maintains branches, exchanges and offices in 184 locations and has more than 3,800 employees. Its network reaches rural areas where private operators may face difficulties maintaining commercially viable service. Nepal Telecom therefore combines commercial competition in mobile and broadband with a broader national-connectivity mandate. Its development has followed Nepal's transition from a state monopoly to a competitive communications market while preserving the company as a central provider of fixed infrastructure and nationwide telecommunications access.

1. 2021VoLTE opened to subscribers

   VoLTE became available to Nepal Telecom subscribers on 17 May.

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2. 2019VoLTE tested

   The company successfully tested Voice over LTE in July.

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3. 2017First 4G LTE service in Nepal

   Nepal Telecom launched Nepal's first 4G LTE service on 1 January using the 1800 MHz band across all seven provinces.

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4. 2005GSM mobile competition begins

   Ncell, then known as Mero Mobile, entered the market and ended Nepal Telecom's GSM mobile monopoly.

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5. 2004Company reorganized as Nepal Doorsanchar Company Limited

   The corporation was renamed Nepal Doorsanchar Company Limited under the Companies Act of 1997.

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6. 2003Nationwide GSM service launched

   Nepal Telecom introduced nationwide GSM mobile service as the market began moving away from a fixed-line monopoly.

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7. 1972Nepal Telecommunications Corporation established

   The predecessor organization was formally created as a wholly government-owned corporation under the Communications Corporation Act.

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8. 1959Dedicated Department of Telecommunications created

   Telecommunications administration was moved from the Department of Communications to a dedicated Department of Telecommunications.

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9. 1950Central-battery exchange and wireless services

   Kathmandu received a central-battery telephone exchange, while wireless telecommunications began serving several Nepalese locations.

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10. 1935Automatic telephone lines installed in Kathmandu

    Twenty-five automatic telephone lines were installed in Kathmandu.

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11. 1914Kathmandu–Raxaul direct line established

    A direct telecommunications line was established between Kathmandu and Raxaul.

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12. 1913Telecommunications activity begins in Nepal

    The historical development of Nepal's telecommunications system is traced to 1913.

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A nationwide, state-owned telecommunications operator combining universal-service responsibilities and extensive fixed infrastructure with mass-market mobile and broadband services.

• Fixed-line telephoneFixed telecommunications

  Nepal Telecom operates Nepal's traditional fixed-line telephone network, supporting public switched telephone services for residential, institutional and business users. Fixed telephony is part of the company's historic infrastructure base and remains important in locations where fixed access is required. The company is identified as the sole provider of fixed-line services in Nepal in the referenced material.

• GSM mobileMobile telecommunications2003

  Nepal Telecom's GSM service is its principal mass-market mobile platform. Nationwide GSM service was introduced in 2003, after which the company expanded voice, messaging and mobile-data capabilities through successive network upgrades. The service operates in a competitive market following the entry of private mobile operator Ncell.

• CDMA mobileMobile telecommunications

  CDMA was one of Nepal Telecom's major mobile technologies alongside GSM. The company used CDMA infrastructure to extend voice and data access, including in areas and customer segments served by its legacy mobile network. CDMA formed part of the company's reported multi-technology user base.

• 4G LTEMobile broadband2017

  Nepal Telecom launched Nepal's first 4G LTE service on 1 January 2017. The deployment used the 1800 MHz frequency band and was described as available across all seven provinces. LTE provides the operator's modern mobile broadband platform and also supports later services such as VoLTE.

• VoLTEMobile voice service2021

  Voice over LTE enables voice calls over Nepal Telecom's LTE network. The operator tested VoLTE in July 2019 and made it available to subscribers on 17 May 2021. It represents a modernization of mobile voice delivery and complements the company's 4G data network.

• ADSL broadbandFixed broadband

  ADSL was among the broadband technologies introduced by Nepal Telecom as the company expanded beyond traditional voice services. It provided fixed internet access over the legacy telephone network before and alongside the company's migration toward fiber-based connectivity.

• Fiber-to-the-home broadbandFixed broadband

  Fiber-to-the-home is part of Nepal Telecom's newer fixed broadband portfolio. It extends higher-capacity internet access through fiber infrastructure and reflects the company's shift from copper-based broadband toward modern fixed connectivity for households and organizations.

• Leased lines and ISDNEnterprise connectivity

  Nepal Telecom provides leased-line and ISDN services for dedicated or specialized telecommunications connectivity. These offerings serve business, institutional and network users and are part of the company's distinctive fixed-network role in Nepal.

• WiMAXWireless broadband

  WiMAX was introduced as a wireless broadband technology in Nepal Telecom's portfolio. The company served approximately 88,000 WiMAX users according to the referenced account, although the material does not establish the service's current commercial status.

• 2021Make VoLTE available to subscribersProduct launch

  Following an earlier technical test, Nepal Telecom moved toward commercial availability of voice services over LTE.

  What changed. VoLTE was opened to subscribers on 17 May.

  Aftermath. The launch expanded the capabilities of the operator's 4G network and continued its migration toward newer mobile technologies.

  Source
• 2019Test Voice over LTEGeneration change

  The company's LTE network created the technical basis for delivering voice through the 4G network.

  What changed. Nepal Telecom successfully tested VoLTE in July.

  Aftermath. The service was subsequently made available to subscribers in May 2021.

  Source
• 2017Launch 4G LTEProduct launch

  Mobile customers were shifting toward high-speed data, and Nepal Telecom needed a newer network generation after earlier GSM, CDMA and 3G deployments.

  What changed. The company launched Nepal's first 4G LTE service on 1 January using the 1800 MHz band, with coverage described across all seven provinces.

  Aftermath. LTE became the operator's principal modern mobile broadband platform and later supported the introduction of VoLTE.

  Source
• 2004Convert the corporation into a company structureStrategy

  The government telecommunications corporation was reorganized under Nepal's Companies Act of 1997.

  What changed. Nepal Telecommunications Corporation adopted the legal name Nepal Doorsanchar Company Limited and continued operating publicly under the Nepal Telecom brand.

  Aftermath. The reorganization established the corporate legal identity used by the state-owned operator today.

  Source
• 2003Launch nationwide GSM mobile serviceProduct launch

  Nepal Telecom operated in a market historically centered on fixed and government telecommunications infrastructure, while private competition was beginning to emerge.

  What changed. The company introduced GSM mobile service nationwide, creating a scalable platform for mobile voice and later data services.

  Aftermath. GSM became a central part of Nepal Telecom's business, although its mobile monopoly ended after Ncell entered the market in 2005.

  Source

• 2021Nepal Telecom makes VoLTE available to subscribers

  VoLTE service became available to Nepal Telecom subscribers on 17 May, moving the technology from testing into customer service.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2019Nepal Telecom tests Voice over LTE

  The company successfully tested VoLTE in July as part of its effort to introduce voice services over its LTE network.

  Product generation
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• 2017Nepal Telecom launches Nepal's first 4G LTE service

  The operator launched Nepal's first 4G LTE service on 1 January using the 1800 MHz band, with availability across all seven provinces.

  Product launchProduct generation
  Source
• 2005Nepal Telecom's GSM mobile monopoly ends with market entry by Ncell

  Ncell, formerly known as Mero Mobile, entered Nepal's GSM market, ending Nepal Telecom's monopoly in mobile services and increasing competition in the sector.

  Other
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• 2003Nepal Telecom introduces nationwide GSM service

  Nepal Telecom launched GSM services nationwide, expanding beyond its earlier fixed and legacy telecommunications infrastructure and establishing a foundation for its modern mobile business.

  Product launch
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• Nepal Telecom conducts internal 5G trials

  The operator began limited internal 5G testing in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Birgunj. The referenced material does not identify a full commercial 5G launch.

  Product generation
  Source

1. Nepal Telecom