5G in Nepal: When Is It Coming, and Will Your Phone Work?
Updated 31 October 2026. Based on statements from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, Nepal Telecom and the communications ministry, as reported by the Kathmandu Post, Ratopati, Kantipur and others (listed under Sources).
Short answer: 5G is not available in Nepal yet. Nepal Telecom has finished testing, and the target is to start 5G in cities in fiscal year 2083/84, which ends in mid-July 2027, with the whole country covered by 2035. There are no 5G data packs yet. If you are buying a phone now, pick one that supports bands n41 and n78.
Is 5G available in Nepal?
No, not for the public. As of October 2026, neither Nepal Telecom nor Ncell sells 5G. Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan are the only countries in South Asia without commercial 5G, the Kathmandu Post reported in June.
The regulator’s position in October is that operators could start 5G on spectrum they already hold, because its rules don’t tie a frequency to one technology. The operators’ position is that 5G costs a lot to build and they aren’t sure it will pay back yet. The NTA has said it may consider fee waivers or other support once operators bring concrete business plans.
5G in Nepal so far
Five years of trials, deadlines and plans:
NTA approves a trial
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority approves Nepal Telecom’s 5G trial and gives it 60 MHz in the 2600 MHz band.
Staff-only trial starts
Nepal Telecom switches on test 5G on 5 February 2023 at Babarmahal and Sundhara in Kathmandu, for staff only. Later trial sites include Pokhara and Birgunj.
A deadline is set
The Prime Minister tells the communications minister to start 5G in Kathmandu and Pokhara by Magh 2082 (January to February 2026). It does not happen.
Testing done, waiting on phones
Nepal Telecom says its testing is complete and that the shortage of compatible phones is holding back a launch. The NTA says it is ready to move to a spectrum auction.
A roadmap and a directive
On 7 August the NTA orders operators to submit phased 5G plans, starting with big cities. A draft roadmap aims for urban 5G in fiscal year 2083/84 and nationwide 5G by 2035.
Still waiting
On 1 October the NTA says operators can already run 5G on spectrum they hold, moves ahead with 800 MHz, and puts 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz in the next phase. Operators say the business case is still uncertain.
Which 5G bands Nepal will use
| Frequency | 5G band | Status (October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 2600 MHz | n41 | Used for Nepal Telecom’s trial; prioritised for the next phase |
| 3500 MHz | n78 | Prioritised for the next phase; the world’s most common 5G band |
| 700 MHz | n28 | Discussed for an auction; good for wide coverage |
| 800 MHz | — | Being given to existing operators now, mainly for 4G |
No 5G spectrum has been auctioned yet. Reported base prices were around Rs 40 lakh per MHz a year for 3.5 GHz and Rs 1.35 crore for 700 MHz, but those figures come from a single report and nothing has been sold at them. Nepal’s Radio Frequency Policy 2080 also lets operators reuse spectrum they already hold for 5G.
Will your phone work with 5G in Nepal?
A phone that says "5G" is not enough on its own; it has to support the bands Nepal will use. Nepal Telecom’s trial stayed staff-only partly because so few phones sold here supported n41. Nepal Telecom says 5G phones were about 5% of the market at trial time and are now over 20%.
How to check:
- Find your exact model number (Settings, then About phone).
- Look up that model on the maker’s spec page and find the 5G NR band list.
- Look for n41 and n78. n28 is a bonus.
Every iPhone from the iPhone 12 onward is a 5G phone. Our iPhone price list has current prices for each model.
5G data pack price
There isn’t one yet. Tariffs haven’t been set because commercial 5G hasn’t started. When 5G does arrive, expect it to start in big cities, and expect operators to price it as a premium at first. Until then, today’s 4G packs are in our NTC data pack and Ncell data pack guides, and home fibre prices are in our internet price list.
Should you wait for 5G before buying a phone?
No. Even on the government’s own timeline, 5G will start in a few cities first, and most of the country will stay on 4G for years. Buy the phone that suits you now. If you are spending on a mid-range or flagship phone you plan to keep for three or four years, make sure it lists n41 and n78, so it is ready when your area gets 5G.
Frequently asked questions
Is 5G available in Nepal?
Not yet for the public. As of October 2026, neither Nepal Telecom nor Ncell has launched commercial 5G. Nepal Telecom has finished its tests, and the government is aiming to start 5G in cities in fiscal year 2083/84, which ends in mid-July 2027.
When will 5G launch in Nepal?
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority’s draft 5G roadmap aims to start 5G in urban areas in fiscal year 2083/84 and cover the whole country by 2035. Earlier deadlines, including one for Magh 2082, were missed.
Which 5G bands will Nepal use?
Nepal Telecom tested 5G on 2600 MHz (band n41). The regulator has prioritised 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz (n78) for the next phase, and 700 MHz (n28) has also been discussed. No 5G spectrum has been auctioned yet.
Will my 5G phone work in Nepal?
Check that it supports bands n41 and n78. Support for n28 helps too. Most recent mid-range and flagship 5G phones list these, but check your exact model’s spec sheet.
Is there a 5G data pack in Nepal?
Not yet. Tariffs have not been set because commercial 5G has not started. For today’s prices, see our NTC and Ncell data pack guides.
Do I need a new SIM for 5G in Nepal?
Neither Nepal Telecom nor Ncell has said yet. We will update this post when they do.
Sources
- Preparations to distribute additional frequencies for expansion of 5G services, Ratopati, 1 October 2026
- NTA says it is ready for 5G spectrum auction, The Kathmandu Post, 21 June 2026
- NTA directs service providers to submit action plans for launching 5G services, Kantipur, 7 August 2026
- NTA tells telcos to submit 5G rollout plan, Himal Press, 7 August 2026
- Nepal aims to expand 5G services across the country within a decade, Ratopati, 11 August 2026
- Nepal Telecom says 5G testing completed, commercial rollout awaiting compatible devices, Techpana, 18 June 2026
- Nepal Telecom starts 5G test for staff, Onlinekhabar English, 5 February 2023
- Nepal Telecom puts 5G test on hold, The Kathmandu Post, 1 January 2023
- PM Oli directs 5G launch by Magh in Kathmandu and Pokhara, Nepali Telecom, August 2025
- 5G spectrum auction in Nepal, Nepali Telecom, May 2026