4G internet users surpass 3G first time in five years

KATHMANDU: For the first time in five years, the share of 4G users has exceeded 3G. According to the data released by the Telecommunication Authority of Nepal (TAN) till September, there are 12.86 million 4G users across the country while the number of 3G users is 12.587 million.

In this regard, the number of 4G users is more than 2.5 million as compared to 3G. 4G was launched in Nepal on Poush 17, 2073.

The share of 4G users seems to have increased as service providers have given priority to 4G infrastructure expansion and stopped investing more in 3G. Nepal Telecom and Ncell, the two main service providers, have already invested more than Rs 30 billion in the Forge expansion alone. Similarly, another service provider Smart Telecom has only invested in 4G technology.

According to statistics, there are many users of Nepal Telecom in both 3G and 4G. 13 million use Telecom’s 3G. Similarly, it is mentioned in the statistics that 66.34 million people use 4G. Ncell has 6 million 4G users and 2.284 million are using 3G. Similarly, Smart Telecom has 1 lakh 67 thousand 4G users.

High-speed internet can be used in 4G technology as compared to 3G. 4G has a maximum download speed of up to 400 Mbps. However, such speeds vary from country to country. Similarly, 3G has an average maximum download speed of up to 20 Mbps.