📶 NTC & Ncell Rates — Updated May 2026

NTC vs Ncell Data Pack Price Nepal 2026 — Which is Cheaper? Full Comparison

📅 Last updated: May 6, 2026 — Data pack prices from NTC (Nepal Telecom) and Ncell official websites. NTC revised data pack prices in April 2026. All prices include taxes unless stated otherwise. Activate codes work via dial-up or official apps.

Every Nepali with a smartphone faces this question at least once: NTC or Ncell — which data pack gives better value? The honest answer in 2026 is nuanced and depends on where you live, how much data you use, and whether you need voice calls bundled in. This complete guide breaks down every major NTC and Ncell data package with current May 2026 prices, activation codes, best-value picks, and a definitive verdict on which operator to choose for different usage patterns across Nepal.

📱 Nepal’s Two Major Mobile Networks — 2026 Snapshot

🔵 NTC (Nepal Telecom)

State-owned | Widest rural coverage | 5G live in KTM
77
Districts covered
5G
Active in KTM Valley
Rs. 29
Cheapest 1-day pack
*1415#
Data pack code

🔴 Ncell

Axiata-owned | Best 4G in cities | Unlimited combo plans
90%
Population coverage
4G
Best urban speeds
Rs. 99
Cheapest combo pack
*17123#
Data pack code

🔵 NTC Data Pack Price Nepal 2026 — All Packages

Nepal Telecom (NTC) revised its data pack pricing in April 2026 BS. NTC offers the widest range of pack types — from 1-hour packs for instant needs to 30-day unlimited plans. NTC also offers unique nighttime packs (11PM–6AM) and social media-specific packs that are especially popular among students and budget users.

NTC Regular Data Packs (April 2026 Revision)

PackDataValidityPriceCodeBest For
1GB Day Pack1GB1 dayRs. 29*1415*502#Light daily use
5GB Weekly Pack POPULAR5GB7 daysRs. 109*1415*504#Students
20GB Monthly20GB30 daysRs. 399*1415*506#Regular users
100GB Monthly BEST VALUE100GB30 daysRs. 999*1415*510#Heavy users
1GB/day Recurring30GB total30 daysRs. 349*1415#Daily refreshing data
2GB/day Recurring60GB total30 daysRs. 599*1415#Power users

NTC Unlimited Data Packs

PackSpeedValidityPriceNote
1-Hour UnlimitedUp to 4G speed1 hourRs. 19After FUP: 256kbps
2-Hour UnlimitedUp to 4G speed2 hoursRs. 35Great for streaming sessions
1-Day Unlimited (5Mbps)5 Mbps cap1 dayRs. 79Streaming-friendly
Night Pack (11PM–6AM)Up to 4G speed1 nightRs. 59Unlimited 5Mbps night data
Monthly Unlimited (5Mbps)5 Mbps cap30 daysRs. 999Netflix, YouTube friendly

NTC Social Media Packs (2026)

PackCoverageValidityPrice
Facebook/YouTube DailyFB, YouTube only — 2 Mbps1 dayRs. 25
TikTok DailyTikTok only — unlimited1 dayRs. 48
TikTok WeeklyTikTok only — unlimited7 daysRs. 170

🔴 Ncell Data Pack Price Nepal 2026 — All Packages

Ncell simplified its data pack lineup in recent years, moving away from multiple confusing options toward cleaner Sadhai On recurring plans and straightforward combo packs (data + unlimited calls + SMS). The Ncell Unlimited Combo Packs launched in 2025 have become the most popular prepaid offering in Nepal, giving users unlimited on-net calls, 200GB of high-speed data, and 100 SMS/day — all in a single Rs. 699 pack valid for 28 days.

Ncell Unlimited Combo Packs (Most Popular — 2026)

PackCallsData (High Speed)ValidityPriceCode
Unlimited Combo 99Unlimited All Nepal10GB7 daysRs. 99*17123#
Unlimited Combo 199Unlimited All Nepal30GB28 daysRs. 199*17123#
Unlimited Combo 399Unlimited All Nepal100GB28 daysRs. 399*17123#
Unlimited Combo 699 BEST VALUEUnlimited All Nepal200GB + Lionsgate Play28 daysRs. 699*17123#
📌 About Ncell’s 699 Combo Pack — Nepal’s Best Mobile Data Deal? The Ncell Rs. 699 Unlimited Combo Pack is arguably the best mobile data deal available in Nepal in 2026. For Rs. 699 per 28 days (about Rs. 25/day), you get: 200GB of high-speed 4G data, unlimited calls to any network in Nepal, 100 SMS per day, AND a free Lionsgate Play streaming subscription. After the 200GB high-speed FUP, you still get unlimited data at 256kbps — so you’re never completely out of data.

Ncell Regular Data Packs (2026)

PackDataValidityPriceCode
7GB Weekly POPULAR7GB7 daysRs. 299*17123#
30GB + 30GB Monthly60GB (home+away)28 daysRs. 599*17123#
Home & Away Ultra 120GB90GB home + 30GB away + 100 min calls28 daysRs. 749*17123#

⚔️ NTC vs Ncell — Direct Price Comparison for Common Uses

Use CaseBest NTC PackNTC PriceBest Ncell PackNcell PriceWinner
Light user (5GB/month)5GB Weekly × 4Rs. 436Combo 199Rs. 199🔴 Ncell
Regular user (20–30GB/month)20GB MonthlyRs. 399Combo 399Rs. 399🟡 Tie (Ncell adds calls)
Heavy user (100GB/month)100GB MonthlyRs. 999Combo 699Rs. 699🔴 Ncell saves Rs. 300
Calls priorityPer-second billingVariableCombo 199 (unlimited)Rs. 199🔴 Ncell (unlimited calls)
Rural areas / TrekkingNTC coverage bestAny packMay not have signal🔵 NTC (wider coverage)
5G in Kathmandu5G active on NTC100GB Rs. 9995G not commercial yet🔵 NTC (only 5G option)
Night data (11PM–6AM)Night pack 5MbpsRs. 59No specific night pack🔵 NTC (unique feature)
Daily recharge budget1GB daily Rs. 29Rs. 29/dayCombo 99 ÷ 7 days~Rs. 14/day🔴 Ncell (better daily value)

📡 NTC vs Ncell — Network Coverage in Nepal 2026

Coverage is where the two operators differ most significantly — and this should be the primary deciding factor for buyers outside Nepal’s major cities.

🔵 NTC Coverage

  • 5G: Active in Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini — Nepal’s only commercial 5G
  • 4G: Available in all 77 districts including most rural areas
  • 3G/2G: Covers remote mountain areas including Everest Base Camp
  • Trekking routes: Best network for Annapurna, Langtang, Everest treks
  • Border towns: Good coverage near India and Tibet borders
  • Verdict: Best for rural, trekking, and 5G users

🔴 Ncell Coverage

  • 4G: 90% population coverage — best 4G speeds in urban areas
  • Urban cities: Faster and more consistent 4G than NTC in KTM, PKR, BRT
  • 5G: Still in testing — NOT commercially available as of May 2026
  • Rural areas: Less reliable than NTC in hills and mountains
  • Trekking routes: Weaker — NTC preferred for trekking
  • Verdict: Best for urban users who prioritize fast 4G speeds

🏆 NTC or Ncell — Who Should You Choose?

📊 Data-heavy urban users

Stream Netflix, YouTube, use heavy data daily in Kathmandu, Pokhara, or major cities.

→ Ncell 699 Combo (200GB + unlimited calls = Rs. 25/day)

🏔️ Rural / Trekking users

Living outside major cities, traveling in hills, or trekking Nepal’s popular routes.

→ NTC — only reliable option for rural Nepal

📡 5G early adopters

You have a 5G phone and are in Kathmandu Valley — want to experience Nepal’s 5G network.

→ NTC — only operator with commercial 5G in Nepal

💬 Call-heavy users

Make many calls daily across NTC and Ncell networks — both on-net and off-net.

→ Ncell Combo 199 or 399 — unlimited all-network calls included

🌙 Night-time data users

Download movies, updates, or backup data after 11PM when the house is sleeping.

→ NTC Night Pack at Rs. 59 — unique feature Ncell doesn’t offer

💰 Extreme budget users

Need minimum data to run WhatsApp and basic Facebook only.

→ Ncell Combo 99 (10GB + unlimited calls for Rs. 99/week)
💡 PriceNepal’s Final Verdict: Keep Both SIMs The smartest move for most Nepalis in 2026 is maintaining BOTH an NTC SIM and a Ncell SIM. Use NTC as primary for coverage reliability, rural travel, and 5G. Use Ncell for daily data (the 699 combo is genuinely better value) and unlimited calls. Nepal’s best dual-SIM phones — like the Redmi 14C, Samsung Galaxy A07, and Realme 13 5G — all support two physical SIMs, making this strategy easy to execute.

❓ FAQ — NTC vs Ncell Nepal

Which is cheaper — NTC or Ncell data pack in Nepal?
Ncell is cheaper for most data use cases in Nepal in 2026. The Ncell 699 Combo (200GB + unlimited calls + 28 days) at Rs. 699 significantly undercuts NTC’s 100GB pack at Rs. 999 — you get double the data plus unlimited calls for Rs. 300 less. For rural or trekking users who need NTC’s wider coverage, the price difference is justified by network necessity.
Does NTC have 5G in Nepal?
Yes. NTC is Nepal’s only operator with commercial 5G as of May 2026. 5G is active in Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, and parts of Biratnagar and Butwal. Ncell’s 5G is still in testing and not commercially available. You need a 5G-compatible phone and NTC SIM to use Nepal’s 5G network.
How do I activate NTC data pack in Nepal?
Dial *1415# from your NTC phone and follow the menu to choose data packs. You can also dial specific pack codes (e.g., *1415*506# for the 20GB monthly pack) or use the NTC Self-care app, or buy packs through eSewa, Khalti, or Namaste Pay digital wallets.
How do I activate Ncell data pack in Nepal?
Dial *17123# or *123# from your Ncell phone. Select the pack you want from the menu. Alternatively, use the Ncell app, visit ncell.com.np, or buy through eSewa, Khalti, or NamastePay. The Unlimited Combo Packs (recommended) are available through all of these channels.

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PriceNepal Research Team
Data pack prices sourced from NTC (ntc.net.np) and Ncell (ncell.com.np) official websites. Updated May 2026.