Ncell

Ncell Axiata Limited
Company typePublic
IndustryTelecommunications
Founded2004; 20 years ago (2004)
Headquarters
Lainchaur, Kathmandu
Area served
Nepal
Key people
Jabbor Kayumov CEO & Managing Director[1]
ProductsMobile Telephony, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, 4G, HSPA+, DC-HSDPA
Number of employees
500+ (as of 2021)
Websitewww.ncell.axiata.com

Ncell Axiata Limited (Nepali: एनसेल आजियाटा) is the first private sector telecommunications service provider of Nepal, established in 2004 and operating services since 2005. We are constantly working towards the goal of connecting every Nepali through our network, providing high-quality modern services to consistently create better value for our customers and business partners.

On December 1, 2023, the United Kingdom-based Spectrlite UK Limited acquired 100 percent shares of Reynolds Holdings Limited from Axiata UK of Axiata Group Berhad. Reynolds owns an 80 percent equity stake in Ncell.

With Spectrlite UK Limited, Ncell has become a 100 percent Nepali-origin, owned company, and now our focus is to create value for Nepali consumers, contributing towards achieving the aspirations of the Digital Nepal vision. Ncell is now poised with a strong commitment and capability to diversify its digital services, innovations, investments, and a wide range of life-enhancing services enriching the lives of millions of Nepali people.

Ncell is one of the largest taxpayers in Nepal. Ncell has contributed over Rs. 300 billion in taxes and fees since its inception. The company has contributed over Rs. 1.80 billion under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in focus areas of Education, Environment, and Health, supporting the government in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Initially, Ncell was first incorporated as ‘Mero Mobile’ in 2004. Four years later, it was acquired by Telia Company (previously known as TeliaSonera Group of Sweden) and rebranded as ‘Ncell’ in 2010. On April 12, 2016, Ncell became a part of Axiata Group Berhad and converted to a public limited company to ‘Ncell Axiata Limited’ on August 3, 2020.

History of Ncell[edit]

  1. Nepal's first private mobile operator, Spice Nepal Private Limited, was founded in 2004. The company introduced its commercial services as Mero Mobile on 17 September 2005 in Kathmandu.
  2. TeliaSonera bought a controlling interest in the company in October 2008. TeliaSonera is a leading Swedish telecommunications company and mobile network operator with operations in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
  3. Spice Nepal was renamed Ncell on 12 March 2010 as part of the acquisition and TeliaSonera invested approximately 1 billion dollars in the improvement and coverage of the network.
  4. Ncell had reached all areas of Nepal by 2010 and had launched 3G services by the end of the year.
  5. Ncell also constructed the east-west fiber link connectivity during this time, which was necessary to support the data and voice traffic across the country.
  6. It was announced on 21 December 2015 that TeliaSonera took exit from Ncell by selling its 60.4 percent stake in the company to the Malaysian telecommunications group Axiata.
  7. On June 1, 2017, the company began providing 4G/LTE service in the Kathmandu Valley, including Nagarkot, Banepa, and Dhulikhel in the Kavrepalanchowk district.
  8. Ncell has expanded its 4G/LTE coverage covering 90 percent of total population.[2]
  9. Ncell became a public limited company on 3 August 2020, and its name was changed to Ncell Axiata Limited.
  10. Ncell parent company Axiata left the company in 2023.

Technology[edit]

On 1 June 2017, Ncell launched its 4G/LTE service in Kathmandu Valley (including the areas of Nagarkot, Banepa and Dhulikhel of Kavrepalanchowk district). A month later, the company launched 4G/LTE service in Pokhara and Damauli (two western cities of Nepal). As of December 2021, Ncell expanded 4G/LTE service ensuring access to over 75% of total population, covering all seven Nepali provinces.[3] In a bid to implement a next-generation billing system, Ncell adopted Alibaba's Apsara Cloud for its digital strategy.[4]

In 2010, when Ncell was still owned by TeliaSonera, its highest 3G base station was built near one of the Everest Base Camps at an altitude of 5,200 meters (17,000 feet).[5]

Ncell provides a self-service app which is relied upon by a majority of users. By installing the Ncell app, customers can recharge their account, check balance information, and purchase data/voice packs. The app can be also used to send 10 free SMS messages daily; however, data charges may apply if the app is used outside of Nepal.[6]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Company Management Team of Axita". Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Ncell Timeline History-Company profile from Mero Mobile". Telecomkhabar.
  3. ^ telecomkhabar (12 June 2019). "Ncell Timeline History-Company profile from Mero Mobile". Telecomkhabar. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  4. ^ "Ncell adopts Alibaba's Apsara Cloud for Digital strategy". NepaliTelecom. 10 September 2019. Archived from the original on 31 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  5. ^ "3G network brings internet to Mount Everest climbers". BBC News. 29 October 2010. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  6. ^ "Ncell provides free websites to beginners". sahilshrestha11.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2015.

External links[edit]