Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: Ncell is prepared to invest between USD 200 million and USD 250 million in Nepal’s telecommunications sector if the government ensures operational certainty and a supportive regulatory environment, the company’s Chief Executive Officer Michael Foley said on Monday.
Speaking at the ‘Kantipur Conclave 2026’ during a session titled “Economic Recovery and Restoring Confidence,” Foley stated that Nepal’s telecom infrastructure significantly lags behind regional and global standards. According to him, Nepal is 5 to 8 years behind neighboring countries in telecommunications technology, and even further behind the global frontier.
“We want to stay in Nepal, and we have strong investment capacity,” Foley said. “The company has no debt on its balance sheet, and we are ready to invest $200–250 million to expand telecom infrastructure in the country.”
Investment Linked to Policy and License Clarity
Foley made it clear that future investment depends on government approval, service continuity, and a predictable policy environment. Ncell, a foreign-invested telecom operator that has been operating in Nepal for the past 22 years, faces a critical regulatory milestone as its operating license is set to expire in Bhadra 2086 BS (around August/September 2029 AD).
Under Nepal’s Telecommunications Act, once the license period ends, infrastructure of service providers with more than 50% foreign ownership—including towers and telecom equipment—can be transferred to government ownership. This provision has been a major concern for foreign investors assessing long-term commitments in Nepal’s digital infrastructure sector.
Focus on 5G, High-Speed Internet, and Data Centers
Foley outlined Ncell’s future vision, which includes the rollout of 5G services, gigabit-level high-speed internet, and the establishment of modern data centers in Nepal. He stressed that upgrading telecom networks would not only modernize connectivity but also unlock broader economic benefits.
“If the telecom network is strengthened and managed efficiently, it can create new opportunities in education, healthcare, employment, and entrepreneurship,” he said. Enhanced digital infrastructure, he added, is a foundation for innovation-driven growth and improved public service delivery.
Signal to Investors Amid Economic Recovery Efforts
Foley’s remarks come at a time when Nepal is seeking to rebuild investor confidence and accelerate economic recovery. He noted that some recent instability in the country does not represent Nepal’s overall identity, but how the state and society respond to such challenges will shape the future investment climate.
His statement signals that major foreign investors in Nepal’s telecom sector are still willing to expand, provided there is regulatory stability, policy clarity, and investment protection. With telecom considered a backbone industry for digital transformation, Ncell’s proposed investment could play a key role in narrowing Nepal’s digital gap with regional economies.
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