- Nepal’s leading private telco, Ncell, has completed 19 years of service in Nepal and now enters its 20th year..
- The company was established as Mero Mobile back in 2004 and started providing telecom services in 2005..
- In this post, we outline Ncell’s journey in the past 19 years as it heads to competing two decade as a leading.
Nepal’s leading private telco, Ncell, has completed 20 years of service in Nepal. The company was established as Mero Mobile back in 2004 and started providing telecom services in 2005. In this post, we outline Ncell’s journey in the past 19 years as it heads to competing two decade as a leading cellular company in the country.
Having started service on September 17, 2005, the company was acquired by TeliaSonera on September 27, 2008, and its name was changed to Ncell on March 12, 2010.
How was the scenario before Ncell entered Nepal’s telecommunications industry?
Well, before Ncell entered Nepal as a telco, telecom service was kind of a privilege. Even the incoming calls came with a service charge. Only 6% had access to mobile phones, and buying a SIM card took months of waiting (up to 6 months or even a year). If you are a ’90s kid like me, you would know how people would stand in queues from midnight to get a SIM card. As a private telco, Ncell toppled this practice and made SIM card purchase easier.
Check out: Latest Ncell Data Packs With Volume, Price, and Code [2025]
Ncell changed things with 3G at first
On October 29, 2010, Ncell brought 3G service to the Mount Everest area, setting a landmark for connectivity in the country. The company soon became the top telecom operator in Nepal and also the largest taxpayer in the industry. On April 13, 2016, Axiata acquired the company as the company took up the job of further accelerating its services with innovative technologies. Carrying this theme, the company launched 4G on May 31, 2017.
Ncell brought 4G and transformed the mobile data service
4G brought high-speed data and, in a true sense, mobile broadband to users. As of now, Ncell’s 4G coverage covers over 95% of local levels. The launch of 2G and 4G services has benefited connectivity, the digital economy, and brought convenience to businesses. The company says that it has over 1.60 crore customers.
4G enabled video calls, browsing the web at high speed, and HD videos could finally play uninterrupted without buffering. In March 2022, the company contributed Rs 10 billion to the government for the Covid-19 trust to help combat the pandemic.
Also: Ncell launches VoWiFi service: Compatible phones, tariffs
More innovative services for customers
Ncell started VoLTE service on September 5, 2022. This brought users the ability to use HD voice and data together. On a non-VoLTE state with 4G on, users fall on 3G or 2G while making a call. But with VoLTE, it becomes possible to talk with someone over a cellular call and also use data services simultaneously. With a growing number of users, Ncell started a 970 range of contact numbers in the first half of 2023.
Similarly, Ncell started offering eSIM service in November 2022, which gave users the option to use virtual SIMs on their compatible phones. The late 2023 saw Axiata exit from Ncell with a takeover from Spectrlite UK Ltd.
Another milestone was Ncell’s launch of Sadhain ON data packs, which brought rollover feature, and no balance shock features in data packs for the first time in Nepal. Sadhain ON is not just a progressive user-centric data pack for Ncell; it’s part of the new revolution the company is leading, under which the company is bringing different and innovative services for customers, including Biz Sadhain ON plans, auto-renewal packs, etc.
Ncell leading CSR charge
In late 2024, Ncell Foundation was launched to head the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects in areas of education, health, environment, etc.
Through its foundation, Ncell has announced an investment of Rs 1.90 crore for 19 projects, with Rs 1 million (Rs 10 lakh) allocated for each project. It has collaborated with local levels to develop the green belt Kalanki-Koteshwor section of Ring Road and also cooperates for telemedicine service with Dhulikhel Hospital. Likewise, the company has set a goal to support 100 projects in the future, directly or indirectly impact the lives of 1.3 crore people, and invest Rs 2 billion in social contribution.
As of 2023/24, Ncell has contributed to Nepal government over Rs 3.20 trillion in revenues. In 2024 alone, the company paid Rs 23 billion to the government in various fees. The company paid Rs 47 billion capital gain tax in 2016 after Axiata bought shares to acquire the telco. According to the company, over 25,000 people are directly and indirectly employed by Ncell.
Declining revenues
At present, there are two mobile service providers in Nepal — Ncell and Nepal Telecom (NTC). The annual revenue of both companies has been continuously declining in recent years. The development of various technologies, OTT apps, has negatively impacted the telco’s revenues from voice despite a surge in data consumption.
In contrast, in countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the revenue of mobile service providers is on the rise. According to a study, per capita data consumption in Nepal is only 4.5 GB per month, while in India it is 20 GB.
Despite declining revenue, the investment required for service expansion and other facilities has become more expensive. According to Ncell, telecom service providers recently have had to invest up to three times more than before.
What’s next for Ncell?
As Ncell enters its 20th year in service, its focus will be on further innovation and customer-centric affordable services, and a discussion on launching 5G services. The company could also bring subscription-based telecom services to mitigate its losses.
Ncell has been a leading force for Nepal’s digital economy and digital transformation, and also a key contributor to the government’s revenues. As it sees 19 glorious years, it will continue to bring innovative technologies for Nepali customers and continue to digitalize Nepali lives.
Below in the comments, you can share your most Ncell-worthy situation that helped you with its service.
