History and Development of Telecommunication In Nepal: Milestones

The history of Telecommunication in Nepal dates back to 1913 when the first telephone line was introduced in Kathmandu with an open-wire trunk between Kathmandu and Raxual (an Indian border town) in 1914. With the evolution of the services from the early days, we have reached a much-developed telecom market here in Nepal, along with the introduction of advanced technologies.

Telecom operators in Nepal.

To date, there are six Telecom operators with a broad range of technologies (Landline / Mobile / WLL) like PSTN, ADSL, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, EVDO, NGN, and SIP. Nepal Telecom (previously Nepal Telecommunication Corporation) is the incumbent operator, owned by the government of Nepal being the only landline operator. It has almost all services/technologies in almost all areas of the nation. Among them, Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Ncell are the only telcos that have nationwide mobile coverage.

Ncell (previously Spice Nepal), previously Teliasonera associate (now an Axiata company) is a fast-growing GSM operator in the nation. It adopts new business strategies and approaches to allure customers to its network. STM Sanchar, an American investment is a rural basic telephony operator with a satellite link, especially available in Mountainous Region where there is no option for other services.

Now CG Telecom acquired the whole STM Sanchar telecom company. UTL, United Telecom is a joint venture of three Indian Telecom giants( MTNL, TCIL, TCL) with Nepal Ventures Private Limited (NVPL), operating in CDMA technology for WLL and Mobile. But UTL’s service is not available now.

• NTA revokes the license of Nepal Satellite Telecom Company operating under the brand Hello mobile.

Unified license.

Among Others, Nepal satellite and Smart cell are two operators given GSM License and frequency operating in different Rural VDC (Village Development Committee) and later to get the license to operate all over the nation (including populous cities Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Pokhara, etc). UTL, Smart has already got the unified license to operate GSM service in all parts of the country.

4G operators in Nepal.

Nepal Telecom launched a 4G LTE service in Kathmandu and Pokhara at the beginning of the year 2017. Ncell then introduced 4G in major cities of Nepal. Similarly, Smart telecom has also expanded its 4G coverage to 19 districts. Another telecom operator CG Telecom had inked a huge deal with Huawei for a 4G network but they are yet to receive the mobile telephony license called the unified license.

Nepal Telecom expands 4G service to all 77 districts but not all parts of the country. After expanding 4G to all areas of the country, they have attained the widest 4G Coverage in Nepal.

History of Telecommunication in Nepal with milestones.

Here are some major milestones in the history of telecommunication in Nepal.

S.N	Year	Telecom Milestone Event
1	2022	eSIM launched in Nepal with both Ntc and Ncell
2	2022	Ntc shuts down WiMAX service in Nepal
3	2022	NTA launched MDMS (Mobile device management system) in Nepal
4	2022	Ncell launched VoLTE
5	2022	Worldlink introduces XGS-PON in Nepal with a 10Gbps speed
6	2022	Ntc crosses 1 crore (10M) 4G users in Nepal
7	2021	VoLTE launched in Nepal Telecom
8	2020	NTC 4G coverage reaches all 77 districts of Nepal
9	2017	NTC starts the migration of old TDM landlines to IP-based phones.
10	2017	Nepal Telecom, Ncell, and Smart Cell launches 4G Service in Nepal
11	2016	Axiata bought an 80 pc stake in Ncell, from Teliasonera
12	2016	Tele-density crosses 100 percent in Nepal
13	2011	Overall Teledensity of Nepal crossed 50 percent.
14	2011	Launching of GSM 3G Data Only Service (Nepal Telecom)
15	2011	Launching of EasyPhone SIP PPP Service (Nepal Telecom)
16	2010	Launching of EasyPhone SIP EasyCall Service (Nepal Telecom)
17	2010	High-Speed Internet on the Top of the world (Ncell)
18	2010	Soft Launch of EasyPhone IP Call Service (Nepal Telecom)
19	2010	High-Speed data Card launched from Ncell. Ncell Connect.
20	2010	EVDO Service started (Nepal Telecom)
21	2010	Blackberry Service launched in Ncell.
22	2010	Mero Mobile Rebranded to Ncell.
23	2009	Postpaid CDMA Mobile Service started (Nepal Telecom)
24	2008	Smart Tel awarded a license for GSM rural telephony for 4 Development regions other than EDR.
25	2008	Broadband ADSL Service launched. (Nepal Telecom)
26	2008	Nepal Satellite TeleCommunications awarded a license for GSM rural telephony in MWDR.
27	2008	TeliaSonera Acquired Ncell, then Spice Nepal (Ncell)
28	2007	GPRS, 3G, and CRBT Services were introduced in GSM Mobile. (Nepal Telecom)
29	2007	Expansion of Internet Bandwidth via Optical link between Nepal & India. (Nepal Telecom)
30	2007	National Roaming for CDMA Mobile (Sky Phone) started. (Nepal Telecom)
31	2006	CDMA Limited Servies in Kathmandu Valley. (Nepal Telecom)
32	2005	Access Network Services. (Nepal Telecom)
33	2005	Soft launch of CDMA. (Nepal Telecom)
34	2005	Mero Mobile GSM Service launched (Ncell)
35	2004	Prepaid Calling Card Service (IN Services).(Nepal Telecom)
36	2004	NEPAL TELECOM(Transformation from Corporation to a Company)
36	2003	GSM Prepaid Service. (Nepal Telecom)
37	2003	STM Telecom Sanchar is licensed for rural Telephony.
38	2002	East-West Highway Optical Fiber Project (Nepal Telecom)
39	2002	UTL got the license for CDMA WLL and Limited mobility.
40	2000	Launching of Internet Service. (Nepal Telecom)
41	2000	Implementation of SDH Microwave Radio. (Nepal Telecom)
42	1999	Launching of GSM Mobile services. (Nepal Telecom)
43	1997	Digital Link with D.O.T. India through Optical Fiber in Birgunj – Raxual.(Nepal Telecom)
44	1996	Introduction of VSAT services. (Nepal Telecom)
45	1996	Independent Int. Gateway Exchange established.
46	1996	Automation of the entire Telephone Network
47	1996	Conversion of all Transmission links to Digital transmission link
48	1995	Installation of Optical Fiber Network
49	1984	Commencement of STD service
50	1983	Establishment of digital Telephone Exchange
51	1965	First Automatic exchange in Nepal (1000 lines in Kathmandu)
52	1964	Beginning of International Telecommunications Service (HF Radio) to India and Pakistan
53	1962	First Public Telephone Exchange in Kathmandu (300 lines CB)
54	1955	Distribution of telephone lines to the general public
55	1935	Installation of 25 lines of automatic exchange in the Royal Palace
56	1914	Establishment of an Open wire Trunk Link from Kathmandu to Raxaul (India)
57	1913	Establishment of the first telephone lines in Kathmandu

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