The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2024 Asia
Telecommunication systems Nepal, in 35 editions.
The entry for Nepal published Telecommunication systems in 35 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2024. The text changed in 26 editions. Each is shown as published. Telecommunication systems in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 26
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2024
Published as “Telecommunications” (1990 to 1994), “Telephone system” (1995 to 2019) and “Telecommunication systems” (2020 to 2024).
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.
2024 edition
Same as 2023Published as “Telecommunications”
- poor telephone and telegraph service;
- fair radio communication and broadcast service;
- international radio communication service is poor;
- 30,000 telephones (1987);
- stations--4 AM, no FM, 1 TV;
- 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radio communication and broadcast service; international radio communication service is poor; 30,000 telephones (1987); stations--4 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Published as “Telecommunications”
- poor telephone and telegraph service;
- fair radio communication and broadcast service;
- international radio communication service is poor;
- 50,000 telephones (1990);
- stations--88 AM, no FM, 1 TV;
- 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radio communication and broadcast service; international radio communication service is poor; 30,000 50,000 telephones (1987); stations--4 (1990); stations--88 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
The same text in 1992 and 1993.
Published as “Telecommunications”
- poor telephone and telegraph service;
- fair radio communication and broadcast service;
- international radio communication service is poor;
- 50,000 telephones (1990);
- broadcast stations - 88 AM, no FM, 1 TV;
- 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radio communication and broadcast
service; international radio communication service is poor; 50,000
telephones (1990); stations--88 broadcast stations - 88 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean
INTELSAT earth station
Published as “Telecommunications”
- poor telephone and telegraph service;
- fair radio communication and broadcast service;
- international radio communication service is poor;
- 50,000 telephones (1990);
- broadcast stations - 88 AM, no FM, 1 TV;
- 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radio communication and broadcast
broadcast service; international radio communication service is poor; 50,000
50,000 telephones (1990); broadcast stations - 88 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1
Indian Ocean
Published as “Telephone system”
- 50,000 telephones (1990);
- poor telephone and telegraph service;
- fair radio communication service
- local:
- NA
- intercity:
- NA
- international:
- international radio communication service is fair; 1 INTELSAT (Indian Ocean) earth station
50,000 telephones (1990); poor telephone and
telegraph service; fair radio communication and servicebroadcast service; local: NA
intercity: NA
international: international radio communication service is poor; fair; 1
50,000 telephones (1990); broadcast stations - 88 AM, no FM, 1 TV;Indian Ocean INTELSAT (Indian Ocean) earth station
Published as “Telephone system”
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- radiotelephone communications; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
50,000 telephones (1990); poor telephone andradio
radiotelephone communication servicelocal: NA domestic: NA
intercity:
international: international radio communication service is fair; 1 radiotelephone communications; satellite earthINTELSAT station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) earth station
Published as “Telephone system”
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- radiotelephone communications; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair
radiotelephone communication service
domestic: NA
international: radiotelephone communications; satellite earth
- 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- radiotelephone communications; satellite earth station-1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair
radiotelephone communication service
domestic: NA
international: radiotelephone communications; satellite earth station- 1 station-1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- radiotelephone communications; satellite earth station--1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair
radiotelephone communication service
domestic: NA
international: radiotelephone communications; satellite earthstation-1 station--1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile cellular telephone network
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave landline to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair
domestic: NA
international: radiotelephone communications; microwave landline to India; satellite earth
station--1
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- poor telephone and telegraph service;
- fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile cellular telephone network domestic: NA international: radiotelephone communications;
- microwave landline to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
general assessment: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile cellular telephone network
The same text in 2002 and 2003.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile cellular telephone network
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave landline to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
general assessment: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile cellular telephone network
domestic: NA
international: radiotelephone communications; microwave landline to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
The same text in 4 editions, 2004 to 2007.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile cellular telephone network
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- country code - 977;
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave landline to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
general assessment: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile cellular telephone network
domestic: NA
international: country code - 977; radiotelephone communications; microwave landline to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- country code - 977;
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave landline to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
general assessment: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile cellular mobile-cellular telephone network
domestic: NA
international: country code - 977; radiotelephone communications; microwave landline to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone service subscribership base only about 15 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 977;
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave landline to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008)
general assessment:
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network
domestic: NA
combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone service subscribership base only about 15 per 100 persons
international:
country code - 977; radiotelephone communications; microwave landline to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008)
The same text in 2010 and 2011.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone service subscribership base only about 30 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 977;
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave landline to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008)
general assessment:
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network
domestic:
combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone service subscribership base only about 15 30 per 100 persons
international:
country code - 977; radiotelephone communications; microwave landline to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network
- domestic:
- mobile-cellular telephone subscribership base is increasing with roughly 90% of the population living in areas covered by mobile carriers
- international:
- country code - 977;
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave and fiber landlines to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
general assessment:
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network
domestic:combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone service subscribership base only about 30 per 100 persons is increasing with roughly 90% of the population living in areas covered by mobile carriers
international:
country code - 977; radiotelephone communications; microwave landline and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008)
The same text in 2013 and 2014.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network
- domestic:
- mobile-cellular telephone subscribership base is increasing with roughly 90% of the population living in areas covered by mobile carriers
- international:
- country code - 977;
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave and fiber landlines to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)
general assessment:
poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network
domestic:
mobile-cellular telephone subscribership base is increasing with roughly 90% of the population living in areas covered by mobile carriers
international:
country code - 977; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network
- domestic:
- mobile-cellular telephone subscribership base is increasing with roughly 90% of the population living in areas covered by mobile carriers
- international:
- country code - 977;
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave and fiber landlines to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)
general assessment:
domestic:
international:
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network
- domestic:
- mobile-cellular telephone subscribership base is increasing with roughly 90% of the population living in areas covered by mobile carriers
- international:
- country code - 977;
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave and fiber landlines to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2015)
general assessment: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network
domestic: mobile-cellular telephone subscribership base is increasing with roughly 90% of the population living in areas covered by mobile carriers
international: country code - 977; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011) (2015)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- mountainous topography hinders development of telecom infrastructure; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network
- domestic:
- mobile service has been extended to all 75 districts covering 90% of Nepal’s land area;
- disparity between high coverage in cities and coverage available in underdeveloped rural regions
- international:
- country code - 977;
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave and fiber landlines to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2016)
general assessment: poor telephone and telegraph service; mountainous topography hinders development of telecom infrastructure; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network
domestic: mobile-cellular telephone subscribership base is increasing with roughly mobile service has been extended to all 75 districts covering 90% of the population living Nepal’s land area; disparity between high coverage in areas covered by mobile carriers cities and coverage available in underdeveloped rural regions
international: country code - 977; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2015) (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- mountainous topography hinders development of telecom infrastructure; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network (2016)
- domestic:
- mobile service has been extended to all 75 districts covering 90% of Nepal’s land area;
- disparity between high coverage in cities and coverage available in underdeveloped rural regions (2016)
- international:
- country code - 977;
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave and fiber landlines to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2016)
general assessment: mountainous topography hinders development of telecom infrastructure; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network (2016)
domestic: mobile service has been extended to all 75 districts covering 90% of Nepal’s land area; disparity between high coverage in cities and coverage available in underdeveloped rural regions (2016)
international: country code - 977; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- mountainous topography hinders development of telecom infrastructure;
- fair radiotelephone communication service;
- 20% of the market share is fixed (wired) broadband, 2% is fixed (wireless) broadband, and 78% is mobile broadband (2019);
- fixed broadband is low due to limited number of fixed lines and preeminence of the mobile platform;
- accelerated mobile broadband penetration the last five years;
- 90% of the population will have access to broadband by 2020 (2018)
- domestic:
- mobile service has been extended to all 75 districts covering 90% of Nepal’s land area;
- 3G coverage is available in 20 major cities (2019);
- disparity between high coverage in cities and coverage available in underdeveloped rural regions;
- fixed-line 3 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular 109 per 100 persons (2018)
- international:
- country code - 977;
- Nepal, China and Tibet connected across borders with underground and all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cables;
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave and fiber landlines to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)
general assessment: mountainous topography hinders development of telecom infrastructure; fair radiotelephone communication service service; 20% of the market share is fixed (wired) broadband, 2% is fixed (wireless) broadband, and mobile-cellular telephone network (2016) 78% is mobile broadband (2019); fixed broadband is low due to limited number of fixed lines and preeminence of the mobile platform; accelerated mobile broadband penetration the last five years; 90% of the population will have access to broadband by 2020 (2018)
domestic: mobile service has been extended to all 75 districts covering 90% of Nepal’s land area; 3G coverage is available in 20 major cities (2019); disparity between high coverage in cities and coverage available in underdeveloped rural regions (2016) regions; fixed-line 3 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular 109 per 100 persons (2018)
international: country code - 977; Nepal, China and Tibet connected across borders with underground and all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cables; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2016) (2019)
- general assessment:
- mountainous topography hinders development of telecom infrastructure;
- mobile service has been extended to all 75 districts covering 90% of Nepal’s land area;
- fixed broadband is low due to limited number of fixed lines and preeminence of the mobile platform, with overall penetration 2.8%;
- 3G and 4G subscribers, early stages for mobile broadband market;
- first launch of a Nepalese satellite (2020)
- domestic:
- 3G coverage is available in 20 major cities (2019);
- disparity between high coverage in cities and coverage available in underdeveloped rural regions;
- fixed-line 3 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular 139 per 100 persons;
- fair radiotelephone communication service;
- 20% of the market share is fixed (wired) broadband, 2% is fixed (wireless) broadband, and 78% is mobile broadband (2019)
- international:
- country code - 977;
- Nepal, China and Tibet connected across borders with underground and all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cables;
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave and fiber landlines to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
general assessment: mountainous topography hinders development of telecom infrastructure; fair radiotelephone communication service; 20% of the market share is fixed (wired) broadband, 2% is fixed (wireless) broadband, and 78% is mobile broadband (2019); service has been extended to all 75 districts covering 90% of Nepal’s land area; fixed broadband is low due to limited number of fixed lines and preeminence of the mobile platform; accelerated platform, with overall penetration 2.8%; 3G and 4G subscribers, early stages for mobile broadband penetration the last five years; 90% market; first launch of the population will have access to broadband by 2020 (2018) a Nepalese satellite (2020)
domestic: mobile service has been extended to all 75 districts covering 90% of Nepal’s land area; 3G coverage is available in 20 major cities (2019); disparity between high coverage in cities and coverage available in underdeveloped rural regions; fixed-line 3 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular 109 139 per 100 persons (2018) persons; fair radiotelephone communication service; 20% of the market share is fixed (wired) broadband, 2% is fixed (wireless) broadband, and 78% is mobile broadband (2019)
international: country code - 977; Nepal, China and Tibet connected across borders with underground and all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cables; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
- general assessment:
- poverty, inconsistent electricity, and mountainous topography stymie development of telecom infrastructure;
- mobile market is developed and has been extended to all districts covering 90% of Nepal;
- fixed broadband is low due to limited number of fixed-lines and preeminence of the mobile platform;
- increasing 3G and 4G subscribers;
- fiber-optic networks developing under private and public funding to meet demand for Internet;
- government supports digital society, whereby 90% of the population will have access to broadband and free Internet access for students;
- plans to launch a Nepalese satellite by 2022;
- importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2020)
- domestic:
- 3G coverage is available in 20 major cities (2019);
- disparity between high coverage in cities and coverage available in underdeveloped rural regions;
- fixed-line 3 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular 139 per 100 persons;
- fair radiotelephone communication service;
- 20% of the market share is fixed (wired) broadband, 2% is fixed (wireless) broadband, and 78% is mobile broadband (2019)
- international:
- country code - 977;
- Nepal, China and Tibet connected across borders with underground and all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cables;
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave and fiber landlines to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
general assessment: poverty, inconsistent electricity, and mountainous topography hinders stymie development of telecom infrastructure; mobile service market is developed and has been extended to all 75 districts covering 90% of Nepal’s land area; Nepal; fixed broadband is low due to limited number of fixed lines fixed-lines and preeminence of the mobile platform, with overall penetration 2.8%; platform; increasing 3G and 4G subscribers, early stages subscribers; fiber-optic networks developing under private and public funding to meet demand for mobile Internet; government supports digital society, whereby 90% of the population will have access to broadband market; first and free Internet access for students; plans to launch of a Nepalese satellite by 2022; importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2020)
domestic: 3G coverage is available in 20 major cities (2019); disparity between high coverage in cities and coverage available in underdeveloped rural regions; fixed-line 3 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular 139 per 100 persons; fair radiotelephone communication service; 20% of the market share is fixed (wired) broadband, 2% is fixed (wireless) broadband, and 78% is mobile broadband (2019)
international: country code - 977; Nepal, China and Tibet connected across borders with underground and all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cables; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect consequent restriction on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable services as a tool for work and satellite - has moderated school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
- general assessment:
- in relation to its telecom sector, Nepal has several topographical and economic constraints which have impeded efforts to expand network infrastructure and improve the quality of service for end-users;
- the fixed line market remains underdeveloped, and as a result most traffic is channeled via mobile networks;
- fixed broadband penetration remains very low, though to address this the government has initiated several programs as part of the Digital Nepal Framework and the wider Optical Fiber Backbone Network Expansion Project, started in 2012;
- supported by the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund, the programs include building out fiber backbone infrastructure and using this to provide broadband to schools and community centers nationally;
- telcos have also invested in fiber networks, and competition in the market is intensifying;
- cheap fiber-based services launched in mid-2021 prompted responses from other ISPs to provide faster and more competitively priced offers;
- Nepal’s mobile market is relatively developed, with a focus on LTE;
- in 2021, the regulator considered a range of spectrum bands which could be used for 5G (2021)
- domestic:
- fixed-line less than 2 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular nearly 131 per 100 persons (2020)
- international:
- country code - 977;
- Nepal, China and Tibet connected across borders with underground and all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cables;
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave and fiber landlines to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
general assessment: poverty, inconsistent electricity, and mountainous topography stymie development of in relation to its telecom infrastructure; mobile market is developed and sector, Nepal has been extended to all districts covering 90% of Nepal; fixed broadband is low due several topographical and economic constraints which have impeded efforts to limited number of fixed-lines expand network infrastructure and preeminence improve the quality of service for end-users; the mobile platform; increasing 3G and 4G subscribers; fiber-optic networks developing under private fixed line market remains underdeveloped, and public funding as a result most traffic is channeled via mobile networks; fixed broadband penetration remains very low, though to meet demand for Internet; address this the government supports digital society, whereby 90% has initiated several programs as part of the population will have access Digital Nepal Framework and the wider Optical Fiber Backbone Network Expansion Project, started in 2012; supported by the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund, the programs include building out fiber backbone infrastructure and using this to provide broadband to schools and free Internet access for students; plans community centers nationally; telcos have also invested in fiber networks, and competition in the market is intensifying; cheap fiber-based services launched in mid-2021 prompted responses from other ISPs to launch provide faster and more competitively priced offers; Nepal’s mobile market is relatively developed, with a Nepalese satellite by 2022; importer focus on LTE; in 2021, the regulator considered a range of broadcasting equipment from China (2020) spectrum bands which could be used for 5G (2021)
domestic: 3G coverage is available in 20 major cities (2019); disparity between high coverage in cities and coverage available in underdeveloped rural regions; fixed-line 3 less than 2 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular 139 nearly 131 per 100 persons; fair radiotelephone communication service; 20% of the market share is fixed (wired) broadband, 2% is fixed (wireless) broadband, and 78% is mobile broadband (2019) persons (2020)
international: country code - 977; Nepal, China and Tibet connected across borders with underground and all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cables; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards toward 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and has increased due to the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became is still evident, and received some support from governments the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
The same text in 2023 and 2024.
- general assessment:
- in relation to its telecom sector, Nepal has several topographical and economic constraints which have impeded efforts to expand network infrastructure and improve the quality of service for end-users;
- the fixed line market remains underdeveloped, and as a result most traffic is channeled via mobile networks;
- fixed broadband penetration remains very low, though to address this the government has initiated several programs as part of the Digital Nepal Framework and the wider Optical Fiber Backbone Network Expansion Project, started in 2012;
- supported by the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund, the programs include building out fiber backbone infrastructure and using this to provide broadband to schools and community centers nationally;
- telcos have also invested in fiber networks, and competition in the market is intensifying;
- cheap fiber-based services launched in mid-2021 prompted responses from other ISPs to provide faster and more competitively priced offers;
- Nepal’s mobile market is relatively developed, with a focus on LTE;
- in 2021, the regulator considered a range of spectrum bands which could be used for 5G (2021)
- domestic:
- fixed-line is 2 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular nearly 130 per 100 persons (2021)
- international:
- country code - 977;
- Nepal, China and Tibet connected across borders with underground and all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cables;
- radiotelephone communications;
- microwave and fiber landlines to India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)
general assessment: in relation to its telecom sector, Nepal has several topographical and economic constraints which have impeded efforts to expand network infrastructure and improve the quality of service for end-users; the fixed line market remains underdeveloped, and as a result most traffic is channeled via mobile networks; fixed broadband penetration remains very low, though to address this the government has initiated several programs as part of the Digital Nepal Framework and the wider Optical Fiber Backbone Network Expansion Project, started in 2012; supported by the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund, the programs include building out fiber backbone infrastructure and using this to provide broadband to schools and community centers nationally; telcos have also invested in fiber networks, and competition in the market is intensifying; cheap fiber-based services launched in mid-2021 prompted responses from other ISPs to provide faster and more competitively priced offers; Nepal’s mobile market is relatively developed, with a focus on LTE; in 2021, the regulator considered a range of spectrum bands which could be used for 5G (2021)
domestic: fixed-line less than is 2 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular nearly 131 130 per 100 persons (2020) (2021)
international: country code - 977; Nepal, China and Tibet connected across borders with underground and all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cables; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Nepal: Telecommunication systems.” The World Factbook, 1990–2024 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/nepal/telecommunication-systems.