The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has published its Mobile Broadband Enhancement Plan, a roadmap outlining the country’s transition to 5G. The plan phases out 3G services by 2026, opens new spectrum bands for auction, and sets national targets for mobile broadband speed and coverage. It also confirms that Nepal will maintain a technology-neutral regulatory approach, giving service providers flexibility in how they deploy 5G. For manufacturers and importers, the plan signals a shift in which frequency bands and network technologies will matter most in the Nepali market over the next several years.
What Is Nepal's Mobile Broadband Enhancement Plan?
The Mobile Broadband Enhancement Plan, published by the NTA in 2026, sets out Nepal’s strategy for expanding mobile broadband capacity and rolling out 5G nationwide. The plan responds to rapid growth in data traffic, which has increased 30 to 40 percent annually in recent years, and to network congestion, with roughly 35 percent of cells already operating at maximum Physical Resource Block utilization. It lays out short-term, medium-term, and long-term actions covering spectrum, infrastructure, licensing, and cybersecurity, all aimed at positioning Nepal for a smooth transition from 4G to 5G.
3G Network Sunset and Immediate Import Restrictions
Nepal currently operates three parallel mobile networks, 2G, 3G, and 4G, and the NTA’s plan confirms that 3G will be phased out to reduce the cost and complexity of maintaining multiple generations of infrastructure. Under the plan, the import of 3G-only handsets and user equipment will be discontinued immediately, and service providers are required to phase out 3G services entirely by 2026. Operators are also expected to run migration campaigns and promotional packages to help remaining 3G users transition to 4G or 5G-capable devices.
New Spectrum Auctions Across 700 MHz to 26 GHz Bands
The plan identifies several frequency bands that will be auctioned to support mobile broadband enhancement and 5G deployment: 2300 MHz and 2600 MHz for 4G expansion and eventual 5G upgrade, 3500 MHz for a balance of coverage and capacity, 700 MHz for rural and underserved area coverage, and 26 GHz for ultra-dense use cases such as smart cities and enterprise campuses. The NTA also plans to revoke unused or inefficiently used spectrum allocations to free up capacity, and to propose group-wise rather than band-wise spectrum capping to give operators more flexibility.
Technology-Neutral Licensing and What It Means for Device Certification
Nepal’s Radio Frequency (Allocation and Pricing) Policy for Telecommunication Services, 2023 establishes technology neutrality, allowing service providers to deploy any generation of mobile technology, 4G, 5G, or beyond, within their assigned spectrum bands. This flexibility means operators, rather than the regulator, will largely determine the pace and sequencing of 5G rollout across urban and rural areas. For equipment manufacturers, it reinforces the importance of designing devices that support the specific bands Nepal is bringing to auction, since operators will have latitude in how and when they activate 5G service on that spectrum.
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Quick Country Facts
Nepal
Certification Body: Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA)
Certification Type: Mandatory
License Validity: Initially valid for 6 months and extends to 5 years upon proof of import; without proof, renews in 6 month increments until proof is provided.
Application Language: English
Legal License Holder: Local Representative
In-Country Testing Requirement: Testing Not Required
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