Nepal Telecom expands 4G to all 77 districts; 5G rollout preparation in final review stage

KATHMANDU: State-owned telecom operator Nepal Telecom (NTC) has completed nationwide expansion of its 4G LTE service across all 77 districts and is moving closer to launching 5G services, with technical and vendor proposal reviews now in the final stage, the company announced on the occasion of its 22nd anniversary.

The telecom giant said it has already extended 4G coverage to 749 local levels across all seven provinces, significantly widening broadband access beyond major urban centers into semi-urban, rural, and remote geographies. The expansion forms part of Nepal Telecom’s contribution to the government’s Digital Nepal framework, aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure and connectivity inclusion.

In fixed broadband, the company reported that its FTTH (Fiber to the Home) network has reached a capacity of 2.265 million connections, of which about 849,000 customers are currently receiving data, voice, and NTTV services. The rapid fiber rollout reflects growing demand for high-speed internet for business, education, and household consumption, particularly after the pandemic-driven digital acceleration.

Regarding next-generation mobile technology, Nepal Telecom stated that the study of 5G proposals received from vendors has been completed, and the project is currently in the review phase, indicating that groundwork for commercial deployment is nearing a decisive stage. The introduction of 5G is expected to enhance network capacity, lower latency, and enable advanced digital services including IoT, smart infrastructure, and enterprise connectivity solutions.

The operator emphasized that service expansion has not been limited to urban corridors. Network coverage has recently been extended to remote and geographically challenging locations such as Jirimadi in Dolakha, Chilingkhark in Solukhumbu, and parts of Bajura, underscoring a policy focus on bridging Nepal’s digital divide.

In infrastructure development, Nepal Telecom has completed the laying of 267 kilometers of optical fiber in Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces through the Rural Development Fund (RDF) mechanism. These backbone expansions are expected to improve network resilience, backhaul capacity, and service quality in historically underserved western regions.

On the financial front, the company posted a net profit of Rs 6 billion in the last fiscal year, maintaining its position as one of Nepal’s largest state-owned profit-generating enterprises. It also contributed Rs 18.46 billion to the Government of Nepal through taxes and various regulatory fees, reinforcing its fiscal importance to the national economy.

As of mid-Mangsir 2082 BS, Nepal Telecom’s total customer base has surpassed 21.979 million, while the company retains a 54 percent market share in voice services, keeping it the dominant player in Nepal’s telecom sector despite growing competition in data and broadband services.

The latest disclosures highlight Nepal Telecom’s dual strategy of technology modernization and geographic inclusion, as the operator balances commercial expansion with public service obligations in remote terrain, while positioning itself for the transition to the 5G era.