Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Nepal Telecom has suspended its CRBT service due to technical issues, with restoration efforts underway. The company apologized to subscribers, who remain divided on the service’s value, highlighting both its popularity and past criticism as a forced add-on.
Nepal Telecom has extended 4G internet and mobile services to Lamjung’s remote villages, improving connectivity for residents and enabling advances in education, healthcare, and local business. The initiative marks a major step toward inclusive digital development in rural Nepal.
Nepal recorded Rs 98.43 trillion in electronic transactions in FY 2024/25, a 71% jump from the previous year. RTGS dominated with Rs 74.9 trillion, while mobile banking, QR codes, and e-commerce payments also grew, reflecting strong momentum toward a cashless economy.
Tele Digital Services, part of Ramesh Corp, has become a Google Workspace Sell Partner under Google Cloud’s Partner Advantage programme. Offering local payments, instant licences, and technical support, the company has already onboarded 50+ businesses in Nepal, helping them transition from cPanel-based systems to cloud-based productivity tools.
Nepal’s 4G users exceed 25.6 million, achieving 87.9% mobile broadband penetration. Nepal Telecom and Ncell continue subscriber growth and plan to retire 2G/3G networks by 2025, while working toward future 5G deployment.
Nepal now matches the digital connectivity level of 11 peer LLDCs, with 56% internet access and 94.5% mobile broadband penetration. While mobile data is affordable, fixed broadband remains costly. The country faces challenges in 5G rollout and data management, requiring government action to sustain progress.
The meeting between Pakistan and Nepal’s digital leaders at the AI conference underscores a shared vision for deeper regional collaboration in technology. By prioritizing connectivity and capacity-building, both countries seek to accelerate digital transformation and promote a unified South Asian digital future.
Nepal’s cybercrime cases in FY 2024-25 highlight surging fraud and complex digital threats amid reporting challenges and legal gaps, calling for enhanced resources and updated laws.
Nepal’s smartphone imports increased 24% in FY 2081/82, driven by renewed consumer demand post-pandemic and holiday season sales prospects, signaling a robust market recovery.
Mobile phone ownership in Nepal exceeds 80%, yet only 6% use mobile money. Despite this, mobile money drives formal savings growth amid persistent gender and access gaps. Digital finance and financial inclusion show promise for empowerment and economic development.