Kathmandu: Despite nationwide 4G coverage, hundreds of thousands of users in Nepal still rely on outdated 3G services, even though their devices are capable of faster connectivity.
Data from Nepal Telecom indicate that approximately 700,000 customers continue to use 3G data, including roughly 356,000 who already own 4G-compatible phones but have not yet upgraded their SIM cards or activated 4G services.
The company has now stepped up efforts to migrate all remaining users to 4G, with plans to completely shut down 3G services by the next fiscal year (2083/84). According to spokesperson Rabindra Manandhar, the transition is part of a broader push to improve mobile internet speed and service quality across the country.
Even as the number of 4G users on Nepal Telecom’s network has reached nearly 14.48 million, a small but significant segment remains on 3G. To accelerate the transition, the telecom operator has begun offering free SIM upgrades and actively notifying customers through SMS alerts and automated voice calls from its system.
Users with older 3G SIM cards are being urged to visit the nearest telecom service centre to exchange them for 4G-enabled SIMs, enabling access to faster internet and better call quality. For those who do not respond to initial messages, the company has introduced outbound IVR calls, automated phone calls delivering recorded messages that remind users to upgrade before 3G services are discontinued.
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority reports that Nepal Telecom still had around 700,000 3G users as of its latest data release, though the figure is gradually declining as more users transition to 4G. Updated figures are currently being compiled as part of the shutdown process.
Meanwhile, private operator Ncell has already begun phasing out its 3G network, starting from Jhapa district in eastern Nepal. Although the company initially aimed to complete the shutdown by 2025, technical challenges have delayed the timeline. Ncell says it is working to expand the shutdown to other districts while ensuring users adapt smoothly to 4G services.
Industry officials note that a lack of awareness remains a key barrier, as some customers continue using 3G despite having compatible SIM cards and devices. Addressing this gap is seen as critical to completing Nepal’s transition to faster, more reliable mobile internet nationwide.
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