Last Updated on August 10, 2026
Summary✨
- Nepal’s government launched the NTA road to 5G draft to enhance mobile broadband and prepare for 5G rollout over the next decade.
- The plan targets a minimum of 20 Mbps by 2027 and complete shutdown of 3G by 2026 to focus on newer technologies.
- Operators can choose between standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) 5G options, promoting flexibility based on market needs.
- NTA will auction various frequency bands for 5G, aiming for technology neutrality and systematic infrastructure upgrades.
- Despite the roadmap’s vision, challenges like high costs, terrain issues, and device readiness may hinder progress.
The government of Nepal has formally launched a Mobile Broadband Enhancement Plan (Nepal’s Road to 5G), a homework to launch the next-gen network in the country. The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) prepared the roadmap to optimize 4G, streamline frequency management, and pave the way for the next-generation cellular technology across the country.The draft also mentions shut down of 3G in the next four months.
The Road to 5G draft is the government’s latest major effort regarding the launch of the 5G network in Nepal. NTA has designed teh roadmap taking into consideration the current situation of the country’s telecom market, increasing demand for data, international practices, and more importantly, aims to bring 5G across the country in the next 10 years.
The authority has issued a notice in its website to provide any opinions, suggestions, or advice on this draft within 15 days. Interested individuals or organizations can send suggestions to the authority’s office at Kantipath or via email pmdahal@nta.gov.np or ppaudyal@nta.gov.np.
NTA’s Road to 5G Mater Plan
Deliver high-speed broadband internet
The draft “Road to 5G” sets goals of ensuring high-speed broadband internet speed in the country. The target is to ensure that every user gets at least 20 Mbps of speed by 2027. At the same time, the draft mentions an objective to ensure at least 100 Mbps of speed in metro and sub-metros by 2030 and expansion of 5G services by 2035 across the country.
- 20 Mbps mobile data speed by 2027
- 100 Mbps in metro and sub metro by 2030
- 5G across country by 2035
3G closure and stricter import of equipment
The authority has proposed to completely shut down legacy network: 3G by the end of 2026. So far, Ntc and Ncell have already been aggressive in phasing out the network and now, the authority has proposed to completely end the network in Nepal by the end of 2026. To complement this decision, the telco has said that it will introduce a program to immediately stop import of 3G-compatible mobile phones and equipment. The closure of older-generation technologies allows telcos to put better focus on newer ones such as 4G and 5G.
✅You might want to learn about Ncell 3G shutdown and Ntc 3G shutdown plans update.
Strategy for 5G operation: SA or NSA?
NTA’s road-to-5G draft mentions that operators will get to choose between non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) 5G. The SA 5G runs on its own dedicated 5G infrastructure while NSA 5G will run on existing 4G hardware. NTA says that SA tech will be more useful in smart cities and healthcare services while NSA is good for quick and rapid expansion at a relatively low cost.
Therefore, service providers will be given the freedom to choose between SA and NSA 5G technology depending on their investment and market capacity. At the same time, broadband internet will be provided through small cells in urban areas and fixed wireless access (FWA) in remote areas where fiber cannot reach.
Auction of additional spectrum and technology neutrality
The authority has proposed four different spectrums for 5G operation depending on coverage, capacity, and investment. The draft states that NTA will consider the following bands to auction 5G spectrum in Nepal:
- 2300 MHz and 2600 MHz
- 3500 MHz
- 700 MHz
- 26 GHz
The authority also aims to change the current band-wise spectrum capping to group-wise. The government will continue to adopt the policy of technology neutrality to ensure that service providers can use the spectrum for any technology they have.
✔️ Possible 5G Frequency Bands in Nepal
Security and Implementation Structure
The draft states NTA will prefer to implement a zero-trust architecture in the 5G network for data privacy and cyber security. For this, the authority will conduct regular cyber security audits and public awareness programs.
NTA will form a high-level steering committee for the effective implementation and monitoring of this plan. This committee will be formed under the coordination of the Senior Director of the Technology and Infrastructure Directorate of the NTA. It will also have the CTOs of two major mobile service providers (NTC and Ncell) as members. This committee will meet on the first Wednesday of every month to review progress.
5G expansion in phases
The Road-to-5G plans expansion of the technology in three phases. It plans 2025-2026 for the testing and policy preparation phase, 2027-2030 has been set for the infrastructure upgrading and partnership phase, and the period of 5 years for the nationwide expansion of 5G and preparation for 6G.
As the draft reads, the process will involve coordination between the Ministry of Communications, Nepal Telecommunications Authority, service providers, Electricity Authority, and other stakeholders.
Key Challenges & The Path Ahead
While the roadmap provides a clear vision for the execution of 5G launch and an end to the legacy networks, NTA says that the implementation will need to pull through certain challenges as:
- High Capital Requirements: Upgrading current base stations (mobile towers) to 5G demands substantial a huge financial commitment from operators while there’s a reality with shifting ARPU (Average Revenue Per User)
- Terrain & Backhaul Fiberization: Deploying fiber network in geographically complex areas remain another challenge financially and logistically.
- Device Ecosystem Readiness: Mass consumer adoption will depend on the affordability and penetration of 5G-compatible smartphones in the domestic market. Although many smartphone brands now bring 5G phones in Nepal, there are still a large population with devices that support up to 4G technology only.
Conclusion
NTA’s Road to 5G (MBB Enhancement Plan) serves as an essential regulatory blueprint for Nepal’s digital transformation powered by 5G. By focusing on network quality, efficient spectrum utilization, and shared infrastructure, the framework sets the stage for a much-awaited transition to the inevitable 5G. Therefore, the document is a major testament to the government’s commitment and desire to bring the next-generation telecom technology in Nepal and unlock next-generation digital capabilities in the country.
FAQs on NTA’s Road to 5G Draft
Nepal’s Road to 5G is a roadmap prepared by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to expand high-speed broadband, optimize 4G networks, manage spectrum, and introduce 5G nationwide by 2035.
The draft proposes completely shutting down 3G services by the end of 2026. It also proposes stopping the import of 3G-compatible mobile phones and equipment to support the transition to newer technologies.
NTA has proposed 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, 3500 MHz, 700 MHz, and 26 GHz bands for potential 5G operations, depending on coverage, capacity, and investment requirements.
NTA plans to allow telecom operators to choose between Standalone (SA) and Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G. SA uses dedicated 5G infrastructure, while NSA relies partly on existing 4G infrastructure, allowing faster and relatively cheaper deployment.
The plan aims to provide at least 20 Mbps broadband speed to every user by 2027, at least 100 Mbps in metropolitan and sub-metropolitan areas by 2030, and expand 5G services nationwide by 2035. It also includes measures for cybersecurity, spectrum management, infrastructure upgrades, and eventual preparation for 6G.
