05 January 2023

Nepal Telecom has pushed back plans to launch a 5G trial this month due to the lack of compatible smartphones present in Nepal.

Nepal Telecom spokesperson Shobhan Adhikari said only a “small number” of devices were compatible and present in Nepal to tap into the 2,600MHz frequency.

Nepal Telecom gained permission to trial 5G in that frequency from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority and had already installed equipment for the trial. The test has not been cancelled as the MNO will spend up to three weeks to “identify the number of mobile sets and other devices supporting 5G” before moving ahead.

Nepal Telecom originally set November 2022 as the month to launch the test but delays were seen due to Nepal’s general election which took up the time of company officials.

The first phase of the trial is planned for the Kathmandu districts of Sundhara and Babarmahal. Adhikari added trials will be conducted in one location each across seven provinces.