Telecommunications Law in Nepal

Nepal’s telecommunications sector operates under a licensing-based regulatory regime, separate from the criminal and business-compliance rules covered by cyber and IT law. Kaligandaki Law Firm, based in Kathmandu, advises on telecom regulatory compliance, licensing, and the sector’s ongoing regulatory reform.

Governing Law

Telecommunications in Nepal are governed by the Telecommunications Act, 2053 (1997) and the Telecommunications Regulation, 2054 (1997), administered by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (“NTA”). Under Section 21 of the Act, any operator of a telecommunications service must hold an NTA-issued license; the Authority also oversees spectrum distribution and management, tariff approval, numbering, consumer rights protection, and equipment quality monitoring.

Telecom Licensing

NTA licensing covers voice, data, and network services, with separate application requirements depending on service type — including capital requirements, proposed geographic coverage, and equipment specifications. We advise telecom and internet service providers on preparing license applications, renewals, amendments, and transfers, and on compliance with ongoing operational and quality-of-service obligations.

Inspection and Dispute Resolution

The NTA holds inspection authority over licensed operators to verify compliance with license terms and technical standards. Telecommunications disputes — between operators, or between an operator and the NTA — are generally resolved through mediation or arbitration before escalating to litigation. We represent clients in both regulatory inspections and telecom disputes.

Regulatory Convergence

Nepal currently regulates telecommunications and broadcasting through two separate authorities — the NTA licenses telecom, internet, and network services, while the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, through the Department of Information and Broadcasting, separately licenses FM radio, television transmission and distribution, and related broadcasting services. As infrastructure converges — a single fiber network now commonly carries both internet and broadcast signals — this sector-siloed licensing model faces real strain. Nepal’s Broadband Policy, 2071 and National ICT Policy, 2072 both call for a more unified, technology-neutral licensing framework, but as of this writing no converged regulatory framework has been formally adopted, unlike converged models such as the FCC (United States), Ofcom (United Kingdom), or IMDA (Singapore).

Hover or tap a function to see what it covers. As a single fiber network increasingly carries both telecom and broadcast signals, this two-regulator split is the core tension Nepal’s convergence policy has yet to resolve.

Our Telecom Regulatory Experience

Ananda Gautam, who leads our technology and telecom practice, contributed as Research Associate to Tarapunja Engineering and Research Pvt. Ltd.’s “Study on the Convergence of ICT/Telecom and Development of a Convergence Framework,” commissioned by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (2021). That study examined Nepal’s dual telecom-broadcasting regulatory structure directly against international converged-regulation models — experience we bring to clients navigating telecom licensing and regulatory strategy today. The final report is publicly available on NTA’s website: Final Report on the Convergence of ICT/Telecom (PDF).

Speak With Our Attorneys

Our telecommunications law matters are handled by Ananda Gautam, our cyber policy consultant. Contact Kaligandaki Law Firm to discuss telecom licensing, regulatory compliance, or a dispute with the NTA. For technology business compliance, see our IT Law practice; for cybercrime or data privacy matters, see our Cyber Law practice.