Ncell CEO Michael Foley has emphasized the need to improve the 4G network before discussing 5G. He expressed his views on 4G/5G topic during a meet-up with the communication minister Jagdish Kharel on Monday, December 08, 2025.
Foley’s views stemmed from a broader idea of access to telecommunication services. He remarked that globally, telecom services have been established as a human right. However, in Nepal, the service is not provided according to the global standards.
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Ncell CEO Michael Foley wants priority on ‘proper’ 4G before 5G rollout
Ncell CEO Foley quipped that Nepali telecom companies are not able to provide better 4G services. He declared that in such a condition, 5G becomes a distant prospect. Adding further, he acknowledged that operators have not been able to provide 4G services despite 94% of users possessing a 4G phone.
During the visit of Communication Minister Kharel to the Ncell ICD, Foley said that Nepal’s present telecom services fall short of international standards.
What to make of Ncell CEO Foley’s remark on 4G before 5G
Foley’s remarks were an admission as much as a perhaps a true reflection of the 4G state in Nepal. The operator has extended the 4G network across 95% of local levels. But it’s almost common to hear people’s complaints about the quality of 4G. Mostly, the shortcomings include poor network coverage, data speed, and latency etc. While there are key factors that determine 4G speed, it seems that the lack of effort has been real in improvement efforts.
Also, Foley’s 4G talks highlight the need for policy amendment necessities before 5G. Nepali telcos pay Rs 20 billion in license fees and pay exorbitantly on various fees and taxes. But Nepal’s telecom operators face enormous challenges, with revenues from traditional services showing continuous decline. Ncell has long said that the 5G rollout will cost the company over Rs 60 billion. So, even from a financial perspective, the launch of the 5G network in Nepal feels ambitious and forced. And in the meantime, talks have surfaced about Ncell coming under state ownership after its license expires in 2029.
CEO Foley said that advanced telecommunications infrastructure is necessary to make Nepal’s economy competitive, provide opportunities for its youth, and attract businesses. He said that such infrastructure is necessary not only in big cities but also in rural areas. Pointing out that this requires continuous and large investments in the telecommunications sector, he clarified that service providers need assurance that Nepal ensures a ‘future’.
Currently, there’s a possibility that Nepal Telecom will launch 5G in Kathmandu and Pokhara by FY 2082/83. And it will take some good money and years for a nationwide rollout. Therefore, the progress is there, but Ncell CEO Foley’s perspectives offer worthy insights into the broader prospect of the 4G/5G discussion. This also leads to a key question: Are you ready for 5G?
