August 16, Kathmandu.
Ncell is going to shut down 3G service in more locations in various districts as it expands its 4G network. As part of its plan to upgrade to new technology, the company is set to discontinue 3G service from over 200 mobile towers operating in various local levels of Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpaschim provinces starting Bhadra 1 (August 17).
According to Ncell, 3G service will be shut down in various locations in Gorkha and Lamjung of Gandaki Province, Bardiya and Palpa of Lumbini Province, and Kailali of Sudurpaschim Province. The company stated that once the 3G service is discontinued, the frequency previously used for that network will be utilized for 4G services.
Ncell stated that it has been phasing out 3G service with the objective of strengthening its 4G network, including ‘Voice Over Long Term Evolution’ (VoLTE) technology. According to the company, the 4G network has already expanded to cover approximately 95% of the country’s population.
Starting Bhadra 1, 3G service will be discontinued in local levels including Gorkha, Aarughat, Shahid Lakhan, Bhimsen Thapa, and Dharchhe in Gorkha. Similarly, the company announced that the service will also be shut down in locations such as Marsyangdi, Dudhpokhari, Dordi, Rainas, and Besisahar in Lamjung.
Under Lumbini Province, 3G service will be shut down in locations including Rajapur, Thakurbaba, Madhuwan, Gulariya, and Geruwa in Bardiya, and Tansen, Rampur, Tinau, Rambha, and Purwakhola in Palpa. Ncell also plans to discontinue 3G service in local levels such as Tikapur, Lamkichuha, Bhajani, Janaki, and Joshipur in Kailali of Sudurpaschim Province.
Request to upgrade to 4G
With the shutdown of 3G service, the company has urged customers in the affected areas to upgrade to 4G. To use 4G service, a 4G-supported mobile phone, a 4G SIM card or e-SIM, and 4G network availability are required.
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Ncell stated that customers using 4G-enabled mobile phones and SIMs to access VoLTE service must enable the VoLTE option in their mobile settings. Customers can also activate VoLTE service by dialing *123*11#.
The company claims that VoLTE technology enables high-quality voice calls and faster call connections. Ncell stated that customers can use 4G data service along with voice calls at the same charge.
Target to fully shut down 3G by the first quarter of 2027
According to Lena Keshari Kansakar, Head of Network at Ncell, the company is phasing out 3G service as part of its plan to adopt new technology and continuously improve service quality.
According to the company, despite the increasing number of smartphone and 4G users, a large number of customers still rely on 3G. The company states that some customers who are using 4G-enabled SIMs and mobile phones are still using the 3G network due to mobile settings.
Previously, Ncell had also phased out 3G service in local levels of various districts in Magh (January/February) and Ashar (June/July). The company stated that shutting down the 3G network is part of the process of upgrading to new generation mobile technology.
For more: Ncell Phasing Out 3G in Key Districts
