Nepal Telecom – DishHome battle intensifies in broadband internet market as subscriber gap narrows

KATHMANDU: Competition between Nepal Telecom (NTC) and DishHome Fiber Internet has intensified in Nepal’s fixed broadband market, with the subscriber gap between the two providers narrowing to just 7,000 users, according to the latest data released by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) as of Mangsir 2082 (latest data).

The figures show DishHome slightly ahead, with 382,000 broadband subscribers, while Nepal Telecom follows closely with 375,000 users.

The tight margin underscores an escalating contest for second and third positions in Nepal’s broadband hierarchy, particularly in the fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) segment, where service expansion and aggressive customer acquisition strategies are reshaping market shares.

Despite the rivalry between the two, WorldLink Communications remains the dominant market leader by a wide margin. WorldLink’s subscriber base reached 1,044,000 by Mangsir, accounting for approximately 31 percent of Nepal’s total internet market, maintaining its position as the largest internet service provider (ISP) both in terms of customers and revenue footprint.

Based on subscriber numbers, DishHome currently ranks second among broadband providers, while Nepal Telecom has slipped to third place. Industry data show DishHome has maintained its hold on the second position for the past seven months, pushing the state-backed telecom operator into third.

Prior to this shift, Nepal Telecom had held the second spot for about five months, from Poush 2081 to Baisakh 2082, before losing ground to DishHome. Historically, Nepal Telecom has oscillated between second and third positions, while WorldLink has consistently retained the top slot.

Market analysts note that the growth rates of Nepal Telecom and DishHome appear broadly similar, suggesting sustained competitive parity. However, DishHome’s recent gains indicate stronger momentum in customer acquisition, possibly driven by bundled services, pricing strategies, and urban fiber network expansion.

Among the top 20 ISPs operating in Nepal, WorldLink commands a 30.92 percent market share, according to NTA statistics. DishHome holds 11.32 percent, while Nepal Telecom closely trails at 11.10 percent, reflecting how marginal shifts in subscribers can quickly alter rankings.

Vianet Communications ranks fourth, with 340,000 subscribers and a market share of 10.06 percent, making it another key player in the competitive landscape.

Classic Tech occupies the fifth position, serving 267,000 customers, while Subisu has 255,000 subscribers, placing it eighth in terms of market share.

The broadband sector’s evolving dynamics highlight increasing demand for high-speed internet, particularly fiber connectivity, driven by remote work, digital services, streaming, and online education. Providers are investing heavily in network upgrades, customer retention, and service bundling to secure larger slices of the market.

With subscriber numbers among the top providers clustered within narrow margins, especially outside the market leader, industry observers expect the competitive pressure between DishHome and Nepal Telecom to intensify further in the coming months, potentially leading to price competition, service differentiation, and faster fiber rollout across urban and semi-urban areas.