Nepal Telecom is phasing out its 3G network: A step closer to 5G?

Nepal Telecom (NTC), the government-backed telco, is shutting down the 3G network. Through social media, it has requested that existing 3G users switch to the 4G network. Without further ado, let's get into the details of the telco's future plans in this article.

Nepal Telecom to Phase out 3G Network Service:

A quick recap of the 3G legacy network

Before heading in, let's have a brief recap of the 3G network. Nepal Telecom launched the 3G network service back on May 17, 2007. This made Nepal the first South Asian country to adopt 3G. I can also recall Nepal Telcom advertising carrier video calling over the 3G network on a Nokia N95, which was revolutionary for its era. NTC has been operating a 3G network for almost 20 years now. Initially, this network operated in the 2100 MHz band, with 8 base stations within the Kathmandu Valley. Slowly, it spread to other parts of the country, and NTC also introduced 900 MHz (Band 8) in a specific area.

Phase out by 2083/84

Okay, let's come to the main point. NTC is phasing out the 3G network by the fiscal year of 2083/84. Through social posts, the telco has urged existing 3G users to switch to 4G as soon as possible. Users with 3G devices or SIMs will experience issues, as they won’t connect to 4G and may only access 2G services after the shutdown. There is a large number of 3G-only NTC SIMs taken around 10 to 15 years ago, and such devices will lose access to the 3G network after the shutdown. If you are one of them, or have someone who is, here's how to upgrade a 3G-only NTC SIM to 4G.

• First up, the SIM should be in your name. You can check this by dialing *922#.
• If it's not in your name, you need to do a SIM ownership transfer, which can also be initiated online. You need the owner's proof of citizenship and yours to do so.  But I recommend that you visit a physical NTC office to do so, as upgrading to a 4G network requires a visit.
• You can go to the nearby NTC office with valid documents, such as a citizenship certificate, a National ID Card, or any other government-issued ID.
• At the counter, you are required to fill out a small form, and the NTC representative will provide you with a new SIM with the same phone number, now with 4G capability.

Pros and Cons of 3G Network Shutdown

Pros:

• NTC will be able to reallocate the 3G spectrum to the 4G and upcoming 5G networks to improve network performance and coverage.
• 4G network will have better reliability and internet speeds.
• It will also be handy for resource optimization for the eventual 5G rollout.
• Also, Nepal Telecom's yearly operational costs will be reduced.

Cons:

• There are still a significant number of people in rural areas who have 3G-only devices.
• If 4G coverage is weak in certain scenarios, the network will fall back to 2G, degrading the internet connection. (2G internet is barely usable and relevant in 2026)
• Economically weaker populations may struggle to upgrade devices.

Aggressive 4G expansion

NTC launched its 4G service back in 2017, while the HD calling VoLTE feature was unveiled in 2021. And it has been deploying 4G aggressively in recent days. By November 2025, it had already reached 749 local levels. That's 98% of the local levels covering all 77 districts. Also, we have been hearing about 4G expansion in remote places such as Annapurna Base Camp and Tilicho Lake. This is a win-win situation for both tourists and local people. With the 3G network phase-out, we hope the existing 4G network will improve. As it is still within the Kathmandu valley, if you are living in a congested area or alleyway, 4G network penetration is still poor, so the data works at 3G speeds. And when the 3G network's gone, data will fall back to a 2G network, which is kinda useless in this era of speed. So, the telco must improve 4G network connectivity and penetration significantly, unless 5G arrives.

• Also Read:
  • How to get NTC eSIM online/offline? Find the process here
  • Ncell starts Carrier Aggregation in Nepal and it's a Tri-Band one
  • Understanding VoWiFi and VoLTE: What are they?

One step closer to 5G?

NTC's 5G launch fiasco has dragged on for nearly 5 years. It started with internal trials at its Sundhara and Babarmahal offices in 2021, with the aim of a public 5G rollout. But now it's 2026, and we're still stuck with 4G, due to political instability and a lack of clear leadership for the state-owned telco. Recently, MD Sabina Maskey asked NTA for 5G frequencies. If allocated, NTC's initial plan was to purchase equipment to launch the SA (Standalone) 5G network in Kathmandu and Pokhara. But that has still not happened yet. Perhaps with the 3G phase-out, the telco will finally develop a clear 5G roadmap for Nepal.

3G Network Phaseout: Conclusion:

I think the retirement of 3G marks the end of a transformative era in Nepal’s telecom history. There is no doubt that this shift may challenge users with older devices. But at the same time,  it's also paving the way for faster, more reliable connectivity and a future-ready digital ecosystem.