Current Usage and Future Planning of Radio Spectrum in Nepal
The following table lists different frequency bands that are allocated for mobile technology. The same table shows the size of assigned and unassigned spectrum.
Table 1: Allocated, assigned and unassigned frequencies for Mobile Technologies
Frequency Bands Frequency Range Duplexing Bandwidth Assigned Bandwidth Remaining Bandwidth
700 MHz Band 703 -748 MHz paired with 758 -803 MHz FDD 2×45 MHz - 2×45 MHz
800 MHz Band 852 -862 MHz paired with 811 -821 MHz FDD 2×10 MHz 2×10 MHz -
850 MHz Band 824 -834 MHz paired with 869 -879 MHz FDD 2×10 MHz 2×3.75 MHz 2×6.25 MHz
900 MHz Band 880 -915 MHz paired with 925 -960 MHz FDD 2×35 MHz 2×24.2 MHz 2×10.8 MHz
1800 MHz Band 1710 -1785 MHz paired with 1805 -1880 MHz FDD 2×75 MHz 2×52 MHz 2×23 MHz
2100 MHz Band 1920 -1980 MHz paired with 2110 -2170 MHz FDD 2×60 MHz 2×25 MHz 2×35 MHz
2300 MHz Band 2300 -2400 MHz TDD 100 MHz 10 MHz 90 MHz
2600 MHz Band * 2500 - 2570 MHz paired with 2620 -2690 MHz FDD 2x70 MHz - 2x70 MHz
2570 -2620 MHz TDD 50 MHz - 50 MHz
3500 MHz Band 3300 -3800 MHz TDD 500 MHz - 500 MHz
- 60 MHz spectrum in this band is provided for 5G trial.
Nepal Telecommunications Authority — Frequency Assignment Table (June 2023)
5. Status of Spectrum Usage
• The spectrum band 700 MHz is unassigned and completely vacant.
• 60 MHz spectrum in 2600 MHz band is provided for 5G trial purpose (non-commercial use). The trial period ends before January 01, 2024. This band is not assigned for any commercial mobile services.
• The spectrum band 3500 MHz is unassigned for mobile technologies. However, the spectrum range 3400 -3800 MHz is partially in use for broadcasting (satellite) services.
For the frequencies assigned to different service providers, the status of spectrum usage is as follows:
Table 2: Status of Usage of Assigned Spectrum
Frequency Bands — Assigned Bandwidth — Used Technologies — Used Bandwidth — Assigned but Unused Bandwidth
800 MHz Band — 2×10 MHz — LTE 2×10 MHz — -
850 MHz Band — 2×3.75 MHz — CDMA 2×1.25 MHz — 2×2.5 MHz
900 MHz Band — 2×24.2 MHz — GSM, UMTS, LTE 2×19.2 MHz — 2×5MHz
1800 MHz Band — 2×52 MHz — GSM, LTE 2×40 MHz — 2×12 MHz
2100 MHz Band — 2×25 MHz — UMTS, LTE 2×25 MHz — -
2300 MHz Band — 10 MHz — WiMAX 10 MHz — -
“Technology neutrality principle is not adopted in this allocation.”
Nepal Telecommunications Authority — White Paper (July 2023)
6. Demand of Spectrum
“As the service providers are witnessing continuous growth in data usage, they require more spectrum to meet the demand. Ideally, service providers expect more spectrum in their existing allocation so that the existing equipment can be operated at higher capacity. Minimum additional capital investment from service providers is required in such cases.”
“Likewise, one operator is conducting 5G trial in 2600 MHz band with 60 MHz spectrum. The handset market of Nepal is evolving, and many smartphones imported lately support 5G services. Based on global technological advancements and data traffic per user per month in Nepal, significant progress is expected to be seen by the end of 2024. As reported by the mobile operators, 5G services are expected to be launched in 2600/2100 MHz bands and expanded to 700 MHz band (for coverage) and 3500 MHz Band (for capacity).”
Nepal Telecommunications Authority — White Paper (July 2023)
7. Authority’s Plans and Readiness
Spectrum audit and revocation of unused spectrum
"The Authority is going to perform the audit of the assigned cellular spectrum. The audit will provide information on level of usage of each frequency bands by different operators. For spectrum bands that are approaching the saturation level, plan will be made to provide additional spectrum in same or similar (coverage/ capacity) spectrum band.
Similarly, the Authority is planning to revoke the assigned spectrum that remain unused for more than a specific duration. Such spectrum will be assigned to existing or new service providers as per the provisions of the Frequency Policy."
Promoting VoLTE and shutting down legacy network
“For mobile data services, 4G networks are reliable, affordable and provide higher throughput. The Authority is studying the possibility of shutting down other types of mobile data networks so that the costumers have access to better services… The Authority encourages network operators to avail VoLTE service in their LTE network.”
Introduction of New Market Player
“Through prevailing legal frameworks, the Authority is planning a Frequency Auction in which entities without an existing License can participate. Winner of such auction will not only be awarded the spectrum, but also the License of Mobile Broadband Service Provider.”
Competition promotion and revision of spectrum capping
“The Authority is committed to make the telecommunication sector in Nepal more competitive by providing level playing field to the existing service providers as well as new entrants… One of such initiative is to make sure that the spectrum is distributed as rationally as possible.”
“To cater the demand of the telecom market, auction of new coverage band (700 MHz) and new capacity bands (2600 MHz, 3500 MHz) is planned.”
Nepal Telecommunications Authority — White Paper (July 2023)
Notes from the Frequency Assignment Table
“#60 MHz frequency in 2600 MHz Band is provided to Nepal Telecom for 5G trial purpose.”
“##Frequencies in 700 MHz Band and C-Band are also unassigned.”
Nepal Telecommunications Authority — Frequency Assignment Table (June 2023)
Share Your Thoughts
- What impact could 5G spectrum allocation have in Nepal’s cities and rural areas?
- Do you agree that the regulator should prioritise a phased approach (expand 4G first, then 5G) as the White Paper suggests?
- How should policymakers balance auctioning new spectrum versus revoking unused spectrum from current assignees?
- What services or sectors in Nepal (health, education, smart cities, industry) would benefit most from 5G, in your view?