Ncell has officially started issuing mobile numbers under a new 971 range after receiving approval from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA). The regulator granted permission on May 28, 2025, allowing the operator to expand its numbering capacity as its existing series—980, 981, 982, and 970—neared full utilization.
In a press release, Ncell confirmed that all technical and operational preparations have now been completed, enabling the rollout of the new number series. Upanga Dutta, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Ncell, thanked the NTA for approving the additional range in view of growing market demand. He highlighted that mobile numbers today are no longer limited to voice services but have become essential for digital transactions, application sign-ups, and secure authentication.
With the introduction of the 971 series, Ncell has urged all government and private institutions, including service providers, banks, and financial institutions, to update their systems to recognize the new number range. This step is necessary to ensure uninterrupted access to services that depend on mobile number validation, such as OTP-based authentication and digital payments.
As Nepal continues to expand its digital ecosystem, Ncell noted that mobile numbers remain a critical gateway for citizens to access communication services, online platforms, and financial tools efficiently.
