Nepal Telecom (NT) has announced plans to implement its 5G network using the Standalone (SA) mode, which does not rely on existing 4G infrastructure. The network will be supported by a new cloud-native 5G Core. This decision effectively ends NT’s long-standing infrastructure partnership with Huawei and associated contractors such as ZTE, who built and maintain NT’s 3G and 4G networks. NT will conduct open competitive bidding for 5G technology while emphasizing a thorough review to mitigate national security risks. The operator has requested 80 MHz of 5G spectrum free of cost from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority.
