Apparently, there are two biggest mobile service providers in Nepal i.e. Ncell and Nepal Telecom. Both of them have been able to achieve great feats in their journey and have acquired a huge amount of customers over time.
Whenever we subscribe/buy a new SIM card, we either go for Ncell or Nepal Telecom. But in this article, we will be discussing about Ncell – its history and company performance/status.
Ncell is the first private mobile service provider operating in Nepal since 2004. It is also called Ncell Axaita Limited but was before known as Ncell Private Limited. Ncell was first initiated in 2004 as ‘Mero Mobile‘ but got re-branded as ‘Ncell‘ in 2010. It changed its name to ‘Ncell’ when it was acquired by Telia Company.
It began a new era for Cellular Telecommunication Services in Nepal. As Ncell broke the monopoly of the then state-owned telecommunication company ‘Nepal Telecom’.
On 12th April 2016, Ncell became a part of Axaita Group Berhad and got converted into a Public Limited Company. As a result, Ncell changed its name to ‘Ncell Axaita Limited‘ on 3rd August 2020.
Being a long-term investor of Nepal, Ncell is actively working towards its goal of connecting every Nepali through its Network. It thrives to provide high-quality modern telecommunication services for its customers and partners.
At First, Ncell had launched its services in Kathmandu and neighboring states. Over a few months, it was able to spread its services to 75 districts of Nepal. As of now, Ncell has been able to reach every corner of the nation through its telecommunication service.
Initially, the tag line/slogan of Ncell was ‘Ncell, Here for Nepal‘. But, it got changed to ‘Ncell: Today, Tomorrow, Together‘ after the acquisition by Axaita Group Berhad.
As a leading mobile service provider in Nepal, Ncell provides several telecommunications services. Such services include Regular Calls, International Calls, Mobile Data, and SMS. Ncell provides various offers such as Voice Packs, Cellular Data Packs, SMS packs, Balance Transfer, Low Balance Calls, and other alert services as well.
Ncell has also recently released their app ‘Ncell App’ which is available on both, Android and IOS. Through this app, you can use services such as online recharge, take data packs, SMS packs, and much more. Also, you will get 1GB of free data when installing this app for the first time.
In the beginning, they used to provide 2G and 3G services in Nepal but on 1 June 2018, they launched 4G/LTE services in Kathmandu and nearby states. Then a month later, they expanded the services to Pokhara and Damauli. As of June 2019, Ncell was able to expand the 4G/LTE services to all seven Provinces of Nepal.
There are about 45 Customer Care Centers and it is still opening new centers in different parts of the country. Likewise, about 4000 outlets have been opened in various parts of the country for distributing pre-paid and post-paid lines.
Getting a SIM card in today’s time is also not that hard. All you need is a copy of your citizenship, Passport size photo, and Rs. 100. That’s it and you can get/buy the SIM card at the nearest mobile shop.
Ncell currently has over 1.65 Million Active Subscribers which is still increasing. Because of Ncell’s attractive mobile services and convenience, it has been able to win the heart of many Nepalese people.
In 2019, people consumed 9 Crore MB of mobile data while the consumption doubled in 2020 due to the pandemic. With the increasing demand, Ncell introduced many special mobile packs for people of specific groups/fields. And the majority of these services are available at reasonable prices.
The consumption and subscribers of Ncell have increased in the past few years while the company’s profit has decreased. The company whose annual revenue was Rs. 54.16 Billion in 2019, made an annual revenue of only Rs. 41.92 Billion in 2020. That’s a massive decline of Rs. 11.24 Billion.
As per reports, the main reason for the decline is Voice Packs and cheap data services.
People buy voice packs and data packs at cheaper rates to avoid excessive charges. Ncell could charge higher amounts but doing so will harm their customer base and status. Also, Ncell has been accused of taking people’s money without their proper consent. And it is stated that the amount is more than Rs. 1 Arab.
As per the news, Ncell charged people for various unnecessary services without notifying them and has been ordered to return the amounts to people.
As of now, the majority of people are shifting to WIFI Services which are much more convenient. People using SIM cards have also shifted to WIFI and Social Media for Communication purposes.
If this trend goes on then the upcoming days will be tough for telecommunication companies like Ncell. Yet, Ncell might have thought through this as well and might be working on it.
Over the years, Ncell has greatly progressed in its field and has unlocked many opportunities for many Nepalese People. Ncell has introduced many new technologies and thoughts which have attracted many Nepalese people across the nation.
As a result, it has received many awards and achievements, leaving its competitors far behind. The award list includes:
‘Mobile Operator with Best Consumer Pull In Nepal’,
‘Most Innovative Mobile Operator in Nepal’,
‘Telecom Company of The Year’,
‘Mobile in Emergency or Humanitarian Situations’ and much more.
Ncell has also been actively working in the development of the nation, various infrastructures, and the economy. It has organized various relief events and social welfare programs.
Even in the ongoing situation, Ncell has provided funds to the government to improve medical services and facilities. It has extended support to government hospitals with oxygen concentrators and medical equipment.
Similarly, Ncell has undertaken the task of building Green Park at the heart of the city in Lainchaur and greening 10.2 KM Ring Road Stretch. Moreover, it often organizes various events such as Cricket Matches, Football Tournaments, Talent Shows, Music/Dance Contests and so on.
Similarly, it often makes donations to various charitable trusts, social campaigns, programs, GOs, and NGOs as well. It has also introduced Scholarship Programmes and various services related to student’s welfare.
To sum up, telecommunication companies like Ncell are a boom for developing countries like Nepal. Over the decades, Ncell has contributed a lot to the development of Nepal.
Let it be any sector, Ncell has somehow played a role in the prosperity of that sector. In absence of Ncell, our country wouldn’t be in the state it is as of now.
Thus, as a citizen of Nepal, I believe in ‘Ncell: Here for Nepal‘ supremacy.
