⚡ Quick Summary
As of June 2026, Ncell has not yet launched 5G in Nepal — and no official launch date has been confirmed. The company has applied three times to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) for 5G trial frequencies but is still awaiting spectrum allocation. Ncell's CEO has pledged $200–250 million in investment (including 5G) if its operating license is renewed beyond 2029. NTA has finalized its spectrum auction framework and the 5G launch is realistically possible in FY 2083/84 (2026/2027) — first as a trial, then commercial rollout in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, and Birgunj.
๐ Table of Contents
- Current Status: Where Does Ncell 5G Stand in 2026?
- Why Has Ncell's 5G Been Delayed?
- Ncell 5G Spectrum: Which Bands Will Be Used?
- Expected Launch Date and City Rollout Plan
- Ncell's 3 Conditions for 5G Rollout
- 5G Compatible Phones Available in Nepal
- What to Expect from Ncell 5G: Speed, Use Cases & Plans
- Ncell 5G vs Nepal Telecom 5G: Key Differences
- Ncell's $250 Million Investment & License Dilemma
- Frequently Asked Questions
Nepal is one of only three countries in South Asia — alongside Bhutan and Afghanistan — that still lacks a commercial 5G network. India, China, and even most Southeast Asian nations are already discussing 6G while Nepal's telecom regulator is still finalizing the spectrum auction process for 5G. For Ncell specifically, the situation is particularly frustrating: the company has been ready for a 5G trial for years, but has been blocked at every turn by regulatory delays.
Ncell Axiata CEO Andy Chong confirmed in October 2025 that the company is ready to embark on its next-generation network but is only waiting for the frequency spectrum from NTA. This marks Ncell's third request for 5G trial approval. The private telecom operator has submitted a letter to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority seeking approval for 5G trial frequencies — requesting 15 MHz in the 700 MHz band and 100 MHz in the 2600 MHz band.
Key context: NTA Director and Spokesperson Min Prasad Aryal confirmed in June 2026 that preparations for spectrum allocation for 5G are complete. "We are ready to move into the auction process after finalising the spectrum for introducing 5G technology," he said. The auction framework is technically ready — the bottleneck is now the Ministry of Communications granting final approval to proceed.
Understanding Ncell's 5G delay requires unpacking a web of regulatory, political, and commercial obstacles that have compounded over five years. This is not a story of a company being slow — it is a story of a willing operator blocked by institutional barriers.
| Obstacle | Detail | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum not allocated | NTA has not yet granted Ncell trial frequencies; only NTC received trial spectrum (2600 MHz), which was later revoked | Unresolved |
| Policy gap at NTA | NTA spokesman confirmed Ncell had not been granted approval because the authority lacks a clear provision in prevailing policy for 5G trials | In progress |
| License expiry uncertainty | Ncell's 5G Roadmap notes: "There is uncertainty over how Ncell will operate after 2029, so why should the company invest Rs 30–35 billion in introducing the technology?" | Critical |
| Outstanding government dues | NTA added that Ncell's 5G request will proceed only after it pays all dues to the government, including outstanding frequency fees | Ongoing |
| High telecom taxes | Telecom taxes and fees currently absorb 50–60 percent of annual revenues, making 5G investment economics extremely challenging | Structural |
| Device ecosystem | Only ~20% of Nepali handsets are 5G-capable — improving rapidly but still low for viable commercial ROI | Improving |
The political dimension: Nepal Telecom had first planned to start 5G trials in July 2021. After receiving regulatory approval in November 2021, it shifted the trial date to June 2022, with commercial rollout expected in August that year. None of these plans materialised. Ncell, as the private operator, faces an even longer regulatory queue than the state-backed NTC. Every change of government in Nepal has reset 5G progress.
Spectrum allocation is the technical heart of the 5G story. The frequency bands assigned to Ncell will determine coverage, speed, building penetration, and rural reach. Here is what Ncell has requested and what is likely to be allocated:
Low-Band 5G
Ncell requested 15 MHz in this band. Excellent building penetration and rural coverage. Lower speeds (100–400 Mbps) but the widest geographical reach. Critical for Nepal's mountainous terrain.
Mid-Band 5G (Refarmed)
Technology neutrality allows reuse of Ncell's existing 1800 MHz 4G spectrum for 5G (NR). Good balance of coverage and speed. Immediately deployable on existing infrastructure.
Mid-Band 5G (Primary)
Ncell requested 100 MHz in this band. The primary 5G band globally. Delivers 500 Mbps–2 Gbps in urban areas. NTC's revoked trial spectrum — likely to be auctioned to both operators.
Technology neutrality advantage: NTA has opted for technology neutrality in the 5G auction, allowing telecom operators to introduce any type of service under the same spectrum. The 1800 MHz and 1900 MHz bands have been made available under this technology neutrality framework. This means Ncell could begin deploying 5G on its existing 4G spectrum immediately after the auction, without waiting for entirely new infrastructure.
No official Ncell 5G launch date exists as of June 2026. However, based on NTA's auction readiness and Ncell's stated preparedness, a realistic timeline is emerging:
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2021–24Failed attempts
Three 5G Trial Applications — All Rejected or Ignored
Ncell applied for 5G trial permission in April 2021, August 2021, and again in 2024. Each time NTA either rejected or deferred the application due to unclear policy provisions or outstanding dues. NTC's own trial spectrum was later revoked by NTA before going public.
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Jun 2026Now
NTA Announces Auction Readiness — Awaits Ministry Nod
NTA has stated it has already finalised frequency allocation for 5G and is preparing to move ahead with the spectrum auction, pending approval from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. This is the most concrete step forward Nepal has taken on 5G.
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Q3–Q4 2026Expected
Spectrum Auction Conducted — Both Operators Receive Frequencies
If the Ministry approves, the spectrum auction could be completed by late 2026. Both NTC and Ncell are expected to win allocations — NTC in the 2600 MHz band and Ncell in both 700 MHz and 2600 MHz under the new technology-neutral framework.
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2026–27Projected
Ncell 5G Trial Begins — Kathmandu First
Industry analysts project 5G trial launch as possible in FY 2083/84 (2026/2027). Trial coverage is expected to start in Kathmandu's Bagmati corridor — Babarmahal, Sundhara, Thamel — before expanding to Pokhara and border cities. Ncell is technically ready to deploy within weeks of receiving spectrum.
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2027–28Projected
Ncell 5G Commercial Launch in Major Cities
Following a successful trial period of 6–12 months, Ncell's commercial 5G launch is realistically projected for 2027–2028. The rollout will likely follow the 4G model: Kathmandu Valley → Pokhara → Biratnagar → Birgunj → Nepalgunj → secondary cities.
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2029+Conditional
Nationwide 5G — License Renewal is the Wildcard
Full nationwide 5G rollout by Ncell is contingent on the resolution of the license expiry in August 2029. If Ncell's license is not renewed or restructured, the company has stated it cannot justify the NPR 30–35 billion investment for nationwide 5G infrastructure.
Cities expected to get Ncell 5G first: Kathmandu Valley (Babarmahal, Thamel, Lazimpat, Patan), Pokhara, Biratnagar, Birgunj, and Nepalgunj. Rural Nepal and hill districts will follow in a later phase — likely 3–5 years after the initial urban launch.
Ncell has placed three firm conditions for sustainable 5G rollout in its 5G Roadmap:
1. Subscription-Based Billing Model
The market must shift to subscription-based models such as monthly or weekly packs to spur demand. Ncell argues Nepal's current per-MB billing behavior is incompatible with 5G economics — high-speed, always-on connectivity requires predictable monthly ARPU, not pay-as-you-go data anxiety.
2. Telecom Tax Rationalization
Telecom taxes and fees — currently absorbing 50–60 percent of annual revenues — must be rationalised. At this tax burden level, no private operator can achieve the 15–20% ROI required to justify NPR 30–35 billion in 5G infrastructure spending. The government must reduce levies or offer spectrum at zero/reduced cost.
3. License Renewal and Investment Security
Ncell CEO Michael Foley stated: "We are prepared to invest $200–250 million to bring our telecom infrastructure up to the standard it should be" — but only if the company's operational continuity beyond 2029 is guaranteed. Without license renewal clarity, 5G investment is commercially unjustifiable.
The good news: you don't need to wait for Ncell's launch to get a 5G-ready device. As of mid-2026, over 20% of handsets sold in Nepal are 5G-capable — up from just 5% in 2021. When Ncell 5G arrives, these devices will be ready to connect immediately. Ensure your phone supports n28 (700 MHz) and n41 (2600 MHz) for full Ncell 5G compatibility in Nepal.
Apple iPhone
Samsung Galaxy
OnePlus
Xiaomi / Redmi
Realme
Vivo / OPPO
How to check if your phone is 5G compatible for Nepal: Go to Settings → About Phone → Network → check for 5G under supported network modes. Then verify the specific NR bands: look for n28 (700 MHz) for low-band and n41 (2600 MHz) for mid-band. Both are needed for the best Ncell 5G experience across different environments. Avoid phones that only support mmWave (n260/n261) — those ultra-high frequencies will not be deployed in Nepal.
When Ncell 5G eventually launches in Nepal, here is what users should realistically expect — both in terms of technical performance and real-world applications:
Expected 5G Speeds in Nepal| Network | Typical Speed | Peak (Lab) | Real-World Nepal Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ncell 4G (Current) | 15–50 Mbps | ~150 Mbps | HD video streaming, mobile banking, social media |
| Ncell 5G Low-Band (700 MHz) | 50–200 Mbps | ~400 Mbps | Rural broadband, seamless video calls, faster downloads |
| Ncell 5G Mid-Band (2600 MHz) | 300–900 Mbps | ~2 Gbps | 4K streaming, cloud gaming, smart city IoT, AR/VR |
| Ncell 5G Home Broadband | 200–600 Mbps | ~1 Gbps | Fixed Wireless Access replacing fiber in urban areas |
| Sector | 5G Application | Nepal Impact |
|---|---|---|
| ๐ฅ Healthcare | Telemedicine, remote diagnostics, IoT health monitors | Connect rural health posts in 77 districts to Kathmandu specialists |
| ๐ Education | AR/VR classrooms, low-latency live streaming of lectures | Quality education delivery to remote schools in hilly districts |
| ๐️ Tourism | High-resolution live streaming from trekking routes, AR trail guides | Enhanced tourist experience at Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit |
| ๐พ Agriculture | IoT soil sensors, drone-based field monitoring, precision irrigation | Improved crop yields in Terai through precision farming |
| ๐️ Smart Cities | Traffic management, smart surveillance, connected infrastructure | Kathmandu, Pokhara smart city projects |
| ๐ผ IT/Outsourcing | Ultra-low latency for cloud work, video conferencing, AI data processing | Boost Nepal's $1B+ IT export sector competitiveness |
Both Ncell and NTC are aiming for 5G, but their situations, capabilities, and likely approaches differ significantly:
| Factor | Ncell 5G | Nepal Telecom (NTC) 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Current status | Spectrum pending; 3 trial requests denied | Trial completed (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Birgunj); NTA revoked spectrum before public launch |
| Network vendor | Likely Ericsson (historical partner) | Huawei (confirmed for trial infrastructure) |
| Investment capacity | $200–250M pledged; debt-free balance sheet | Government-backed; access to concessional development funds |
| License security | Expires August 2029 — major uncertainty | State-owned; no license expiry risk |
| Requested spectrum | 15 MHz at 700 MHz + 100 MHz at 2600 MHz | Previously used 60 MHz at 2600 MHz for trial; requesting new allocation |
| 4G user base | 11.8 million 4G users | ~14 million 4G users (larger base) |
| Likely launch order | Expected to launch 5G weeks after NTC once spectrum received | Likely to launch first (state priority, policy advantage) |
Competitive dynamic: Nepal Telecom has already decided to launch 5G in major metropolitan cities once it receives spectrum. Private operator Ncell has also been repeatedly requesting spectrum for several years. The competition between the two operators will be healthy for consumers — expect aggressive pricing on 5G data packs once both networks go live, mirroring what happened when both launched 4G in 2017.
The single biggest wildcard for Ncell's 5G future is its operating license expiry in August 2029. This is not a footnote — it is the central factor determining whether Nepal gets a world-class private 5G network or a half-built one that stalls when the license expires.
"We want to stay in Nepal, and we have strong investment capacity. 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." — Ncell CEO Michael Foley at Kantipur Conclave 2026
Foley stated that Nepal is 5 to 8 years behind neighboring countries in telecommunications technology, and even further behind the global frontier. This is a remarkable admission from the CEO of Nepal's largest private telecom — and it underscores why the regulatory environment, not technology, is Nepal's primary 5G bottleneck.
On 1 December 2023, the United Kingdom-based Spectrlite UK Limited acquired 100 percent shares of Reynolds Holdings Limited from Axiata, making Ncell a 100 percent Nepali-origin owned company. This ownership change was meant to resolve long-standing concerns about foreign ownership and the post-2029 license transfer provisions. Whether it succeeds in giving Ncell the investment security it needs to commit to 5G will be determined by the government's policy response in 2026–2027.
The 2029 problem: 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 creates a perverse incentive: if Ncell invests NPR 30–35 billion in 5G towers and equipment, and the government exercises this provision in 2029, those assets could transfer to government control. No rational investor deploys that capital under those conditions without explicit legal protection.
๐ถ The Bottom Line on Ncell 5G Nepal
Ncell is genuinely ready for 5G. The technology is proven, the equipment is available, the engineers are trained, and the CEO has pledged a quarter-billion dollars of investment. What is missing is a spectrum license from NTA and a policy guarantee that Ncell can operate beyond 2029. Both of these are political decisions, not technical ones. If the Nepali government resolves the spectrum auction and the license renewal question in 2026, Nepal could have Ncell 5G in trial by late 2026 and commercial service by 2027–2028. If it does not — Nepal will remain in South Asia's 5G laggard category alongside Bhutan and Afghanistan for another two to three years. The next six months of regulatory decisions will determine which future Nepal chooses.
Q Has Ncell launched 5G in Nepal?
No. As of June 2026, Ncell has not launched 5G in Nepal. The company is ready technically and has applied for trial spectrum three times, but NTA has not yet allocated frequencies. The spectrum auction framework is now finalized at NTA level and awaits Ministry of Communications approval. A 5G trial launch is realistically projected for FY 2083/84 (2026/2027) if the auction proceeds on schedule.
Q What is the expected Ncell 5G launch date in Nepal?
There is no official confirmed launch date. Based on NTA's auction readiness and Ncell's preparedness, industry analysts project a 5G trial in late 2026 and commercial launch in 2027–2028 for major cities (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Birgunj). However, this is contingent on the spectrum auction completing and the license renewal question being resolved. Previous 5G deadlines in Nepal — NTC's multiple missed dates from 2021 to 2022 — demonstrate that timelines should be treated with caution.
Q Which spectrum bands will Ncell use for 5G in Nepal?
Ncell has requested 15 MHz at 700 MHz (NR Band n28) for low-band 5G with wide rural coverage, and 100 MHz at 2600 MHz (NR Band n41) for mid-band 5G with higher speeds in urban areas. Under NTA's technology-neutral framework, Ncell could also deploy 5G NR on its existing 1800 MHz (n3) spectrum immediately after auction, giving it a fast-track option for urban coverage.
Q Which phones are 5G compatible for Ncell Nepal?
Any smartphone supporting Sub-6GHz 5G with NR bands n28 (700 MHz) and n41 (2600 MHz) will be compatible. This includes the iPhone 14/15/16 series, Samsung Galaxy S22/S23/S24/A54 5G, OnePlus Nord CE 3/Nord 6, Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G, and POCO X6 5G. Avoid phones with only mmWave 5G (n260/n261) as those ultra-high frequencies will not be deployed in Nepal. Check your phone's 5G NR band specifications in Settings → About Phone before purchasing.
Q How much will Ncell invest in 5G Nepal?
Ncell CEO Michael Foley pledged $200–250 million in total telecom investment (including 5G, high-speed internet, and data centers) at the Kantipur Conclave in February 2026, conditional on government approval of license continuation beyond 2029. The company's 5G-specific investment (towers, core network, backhaul) is estimated at NPR 30–35 billion (approximately $220–260 million), which aligns with the CEO's statement.
Q What are the main obstacles to Ncell 5G launch in Nepal?
Three main obstacles: (1) Spectrum not allocated — NTA has not yet awarded Ncell trial frequencies despite three applications; (2) License expiry in August 2029 — Ncell cannot justify NPR 30–35 billion in 5G investment without assurance it can operate beyond 2029; and (3) High telecom taxes — at 50–60% of revenue, the tax burden makes 5G economics extremely challenging for any private operator in Nepal.
Q Will Ncell or Nepal Telecom launch 5G first in Nepal?
Nepal Telecom (NTC) is more likely to launch commercially first, as the state-backed operator has greater regulatory priority and has already completed 5G trials in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Birgunj. However, Ncell — with its larger investment commitment and stronger commercial network — is expected to follow within weeks of receiving spectrum. The competitive dynamic between the two will ultimately benefit consumers through better pricing and coverage.
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