Currently, Nepal has two nationwide mobile network operators (Ntc and Ncell) as of 2024. Their SIM card network is available in most places. As people find it difficult to get the information for buying SIM cards, they keep on asking for detailed information. This is true for foreigners, tourists, or Nepalese coming from abroad and also for people living in Nepal. In this post, we will provide detailed information on how and where to buy a SIM card in Nepal.
When we say SIM card, it is mostly of GSM technology. Most people’s mobile/cell phone also supports GSM sim cards.
People from abroad also have roaming facilities enabled on their home SIM cards. Some of them prefer to use the same SIM card with their number. But as some find it expensive to use international roaming, they look for a local SIM card for their stay in Nepal. Of course, they will save huge money by doing so.
Which SIM card to choose from?
The two mobile network operators in Nepal are Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Ncell. Nepal Telecom is the oldest and pioneer telecom operator in Nepal with many services like GSM (2G, 3G, 4G), Ntc Fiber internet, ADSL, and more. Whereas Ncell is the leading private mobile operator with 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile services. Both these telcos have also added VoLTE and eSIM services for their customers.
Regarding the coverage, Ntc and Ncell have almost similar coverage. But if you are one of those who love to travel to rural areas either for work or travel, we recommend using the Ntc SIM card. Recently the regulator found Nepal Telecom (NTC) to have better voice quality in their mobile network. Ncell stands a little better for data service, but NTC’s data service is comparable in most of the areas. For data service, you can select either NTC or Ncell as they have 3G and 4G services. The coverage of Ncell for 4G is bigger than Ntc.
As both Ntc and Ncell provide carrier aggregation (CA) on their 4G networks, you get faster and more reliable internet on your devices. However, CA could be subject to availability.
Smart Telecom was the third-largest telecom operator. However, its license has been revoked by the regulator NTA after the telco failed to turn in its arrears.
Best SIM for tourists
Both Ntc and Ncell have a wide coverage across Nepal. However, if you are visiting remote and rural areas, Ntc may still be a better choice for you as the company provides more network coverage.
Ntc has 4G at Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) and Machhapuchchhre Base Camp (MBC). Ncell has the same high-speed cellular network in Everest Base Camp. If your trip extends to such amazing far-flung tourist hotspots, likely, you are likely here for a long stay. So, either SIM from Ntc or Ncell will do you fairly a good job in connecting you to your friends and family and keep you online.
But that doesn’t mean Ncell is not a good deal. Both companies offer 2G, 3G, and 4G networks, and VoLTE services. Also, keep in mind that both these companies provide eSIM service as well which may come in handy for you if you don’t want to bother with physical SIM cards. Despite efforts, 5G is not available in Nepal though.
Where to buy/get a SIM card in Nepal?
If you are coming from abroad, you can buy prepaid SIM cards at the international airport itself while landing in Nepal. Currently, Nepal has a single international Airport called Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). You can find the NTC and Ncell counters outside the arrival terminal. You can also ask the local security personnel for the SIM card counters at the Airport.
If you have missed buying an Ntc or an Ncell SIM card at the airport, you can also get SIM cards in local shops groceries, stationeries, pan pasal (bottle juice vendor), and some SIM card shops. The SIM card is also available to buy near the bus parks like the New bus park. Or You can take the help of locals or the staff in the hotels where you are staying.
For a Nepali, it will be very easy to buy a SIM card whether you want to buy from an International Airport, local shops, or bus parks.
Where can tourists buy a SIM card in Nepal?
If you are a tourist or a foreigner on your Nepal trip, you can buy a Nepali SIM card at the airport on arrival. For that, you need to show your passport and visa and make a copy to attach it to a SIM card registration form, or in some places they will do it for you. For Ncell, you just need to give your passport to make a copy, they will fill in the required information in the form and ask for your local address.
If you do not find anyone (as with Ntc office counters) to fill it out for you, it’s easy to fill the form yourself and provide the required information and the cost of the SIM card. For a Nepalese, you need to provide a copy of your citizenship certificate, a photo fill out the registration form, and get a SIM card with its cost. There is also a requirement to sign and put the left & right fingerprints in the registration form paper. You can also print or copy the form yourself to submit to the counters.
Cost of a SIM card
In Nepal, the SIM card plan only differs from the Prepaid or Postpaid plan. Prepaid SIM cards are mostly available in the local shops or airports. Most people also prefer Prepaid SIM cards as they do not have recurring rentals and use them as you like. The price of an Ntc prepaid SIM card is Rs 90 (Nepalese Rupees) (just over $0.7 USD) where you get Rs 50 as the main balance. An Ncell SIM card comes for Rs 100 ($0.8 USD).
With a new SIM card, you may get some additional bonus as per the type of SIM card. If you are a foreigner coming for travel, you can also get a tourist pack-enabled SIM card, which is available in an international airport and major hotels/resorts.
Three-in-One SIM card
All the telecom operators now have the three-in-one SIM card, that can fit any requirement of SIM size. Although most of the new mobile phones support nano-SIM, some cell/mobile phones only support micro-SIM or standard SIM. Nano-SIM is the smallest of all while Micro-SIM lies in between the standard SIM and nano-SIM. So, such a three-in-one SIM card will allow you to change to other sizes without cutting or using any SIM adapters.
Topup/recharge
For the top-ups/recharge, you can find the recharge cards from the amount of Rs 50 to Rs 500 in most of the places. For top-ups/recharge also, you need not worry. You can even ask the help of the local shopkeepers to recharge your account. These days, as people prefer recharging from mobile digital wallets, you can even ask your local friend (if you have or need to make one) to top-up your account and pay by cash.
Buy pack
Both Nepal Telecom and Ncell now provide the method to buy data, and voice-packs using some dial codes. Here is how you can buy packs in Ntc and Ncell.
- For NTC: Dial *1415# and select the packages inside.
- Ncell: Dial *17123# and select the packages inside.
Mobile balance check
Similarly, for a Mobile balance check, you need to dial different numbers to get the balance info. Here is how you can check the mobile balance in Ntc and Ncell.
- For NTC: Dial *400# and you will get the balance information. Details: How to check the balance in Ntc SIM?
- Ncell: Dial *101#. Details: How to check the balance in Ncell SIM?
Data speed
The technologies that Nepalese mobile operators support are GSM (2G), WCDMA (3G), and LTE (4G). 2G networks are available in most places but have a slow data speed. But for places where there is no 3G or 4G, you may have to adjust your pace to the 2G data speed. For 3G, the mobile data speed ranges from around 1 Mbps to 7 Mbps, with 3 Mbps on average.
Whereas for 4G, the internet data speed can clock anywhere from 2 Mbps to 60 Mbps and around 7 Mbps on average. The data speed differs from the place (coverage) and the time of usage. The speed may get a big bump in areas where carrier aggregation technology is available.
All in all, SIM card buying in Nepal is pretty easy. With all the required information provided above, we hope it will be easier not only to get the SIM card but also to use it.
What is not available?
So far, we have focused on what’s available for mobile users in Nepal. Let’s now shift focus to those services that are still not accessible or launched by mobile service providers. Commercial 5G service is not available to date.
Nepal Telecom made efforts for 5G but limited its trial to internal testing. Similarly, WiFi Calling (VoWiFi) is not widely available either. If you come from a place where WiFi calling is standard, you may not get that here in Nepal. Ntc is only testing the service so it may not be available in all areas and many places also won’t have WiFi in remote regions. But legacy services and 4G would still do a commendable job.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on how to buy a SIM card in Nepal for tourists or Nepalese
Here are some frequently asked questions FAQs regarding the process of buying a SIM card in Nepal for tourists or locals.
Tourists can buy a new SIM card in Nepal at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu.
To buy a SIM card at the airport, tourists need a visa and passport, and fill out a SIM registration form.
Except for airports, people can buy SIM cards from local operators in authorized stores or telecom operators’ outlets.
Yes, the new SIM card you buy in Nepal comes with some bonus data and a mobile balance.
Currently, there are two active telecom service providers in Nepal- Nepal Telecom (shortly NT or Ntc) and Ncell.
Both Ntc and Ncell provide eSIM service so yes, tourists can also use eSIM on their phones in Nepal.
Ntc and Ncell pretty much cover the entire country with their cellular network coverage with their 2G and 4G services.
4G compatibility comes by default in tourist SIM cards in Nepal. So, 4G devices should automatically connect to a 4G LTE network when available.
If you have any queries about how to buy a SIM card in Nepal, feel free to ask us below in the comments or on our Facebook page.
