Best Internet Service Providers (ISP) in Nepal 2022: Fast and Cheap

The Internet is awesome and with so much information for free, it is obviously one of the best things of the century. Each year, Nepal is gaining a huge number of internet users very fast. Many people are starting to use features and services like social media, streaming, E-commerce, online study, freelancing, gaming, and information sharing. People are taking their business digital, government services are also becoming digital and payments are going online. Therefore many households in Nepal are getting broadband internet connections. As there are many companies in the market, we made a list of the best internet service providers (ISP) in Nepal.

The vast majority of people actually use the internet on their mobile phones which means mobile data is consumed highest in Nepal. According to the 2077/78 annual report of NTA, 26.09% of the total population of Nepal uses fixed wired broadband while 76.03% of the population uses mobile broadband for the internet connection. Internet was once a luxury but now it has become a need. Stable and permanent internet is a necessity nowadays for many tasks including education. Nepal Government has also listed Internet service as an essential service and no one should disrupt it.

Also Read: Best Online Digital Wallets in Nepal

In Nepal people either use mobile data or fixed broadband connections. The fixed connections include optical fiber (FTTH), cable, and ADSL connections. Nepali companies only give FTTH connections these days. However, some remote places are still using DSL and other wireless services.

Study Method, Survey, and Comparison

We have selected these ISPs by examining many aspects like the number of customers, service, speed, price, response, and customer feedback. So the first thing is the MIS reports from Nepal Telecommunication Authority. According to the public data, we can see which ISP is popular and has more subscribers. Surely people wouldn’t stick to a company if it has bad service when there are so many options. However, we know that in rural places, ISP choices are limited.

In order to list the best Internet service providers in Nepal, we have also considered the cheapest price they offer and the highest speed they offer. These things matter for small families, budget-conscious users, and heavy users. We did surveys on social media as well and received only a little feedback but we also read comments in Facebook user groups, Reddit and Twitter.

We know that we can’t compare all the ISP so we have a handful of popular ones. As our workspace is inside the capital and all the biggest ISPs have a strong network in Kathmandu this list can be something like a list of the best internet service provider in Kathmandu. The list may not satisfy all users because the experience is different for everyone as service quality varies according to place and distance from the exchange. In our comparison, we have focused on user base, reliability, cost, network, company reputation, and user feedback.

Speed and Common Issues with ISP

I have been using the Internet for more than 15 years and I have had experience since the cybercafe era. I have used slow cyber speed internet, dongle internet using CDMA SIM, 2G, 3G, 4G, ADSL, cable, and fiber internet. There are two main things that are very important while using the internet. They are speed and stability. In Nepal, many ISPs have very fast internet speed. Almost all of them advertise themselves as unlimited internet package but almost all of the internet packages have FUP restrictions. This means the company will throttle your speed when you reach the bandwidth limit. In simpler words, if your upload and download reach a certain limit, your speed is reduced. So definitely speed and data is not unlimited.

After speed, we need stability. There is no use of speed if the connection keeps going down and you have to call customer care. It is surely not a joyous experience. We have heard a lot of complaints regarding downtime with big companies as well. So we have to take care of stability and customer care too. These things depend on locality and place because an ISP may have good reach in one place and also has good service. They might have less disruption and faster deployable field staff. So it is very important to ask your neighbors. Ask them what ISP they have, and how is their speed, uptime, downtime, and service. Don’t fall for marketing and always take real reviews from your neighbors.

Best Internet Service Providers (ISP) in Nepal

The comparison for the best ISP in Nepal is actually about balancing different factors about a company that has the biggest user base, best package, after-sale service, and reputation. Here we have a list of a few companies that are serving in Nepal for a long time. We have considered their service, modes of service, price, installation, and additional features for the ranking.

7) CG Net

When talking about fast and cheap internet in Nepal, CG is the company everyone knows. Chaudhary Group started its internet service with the brand CG Net in 2021 and it created a ripple in the market. The company or CG Net started providing a 120 Mbps unlimited plan at Rs 999 to users for the first time. It was the first company to provide above 100 Mbps internet in Nepal. In 2021 no company was doing that but as CG started the service and expansion, all companies acted with a knee-jerk reaction and updated their plans. NTA even had to warn ISPs to play fair and provide updates to authorities for approval of new tariffs and speed.

The company is expanding in Kathamndu and other places as well. For TV, the company is working to build its own IPTV platform with OTT service. CG is working with Airtel IQ Video for the IPTV service. In Nepal, people need both TV and internet combo packages. Therefore companies need to provide a reasonable plan for combo service.

CG Internet Price in Nepal and Packages

All these prices are subject to an additional 13% VAT. The company only has these plans for now. When choosing an internet connection our suggestion is to check with your neighbor and there is no better way of knowing than experiencing yourself. So, CG Internet allows people to get 30 days trial without paying a dime. Just contact the company and signup for a trial. If you like these services then you can keep on the service. This is a feature that every company should provide to really gain trust and bring more customers. For now, here are the service charges for a first-time connection.

6) Dish Home

DishHome was established in 2010 by the merger of Home TV and Dish Nepal. The company is widely known for providing TV service via dish satellite. Dish Home actually has a wide reach due to its technology and mode. Most service providers provide TV through the coaxial cable but DishHome uses satellite dishes. So this way the company reached remote places in Nepal. People who live in rent can also buy their own dish, set-top box, and take their connection wherever they go. It is one of the most successful TV services out there in the hills and himalays.

After the growth of the internet market, DishHome Fibernet was introduced in 2020. The company itself is young and their internet service is also young. However, their reputation, branding, marketing, and network reach helped them earn a good user base. DH Fibernet also has many internet packages for home users. They provide dedicated TV, internet plus FiberNet, and IPTV Combo service as well.

DishHome Internet Price and Packages

All these internet plans are exclusive of 13% VAT. Also Dish Home has one of the most confusing plans out there. It is very hard to understand their installation, one-time cost, and subscription. So it is better to talk with the company representative to understand the installation and total charges before getting a connection. One thing that the company claims is that, unlike other companies who promise one speed but make the excuse that certain bandwidth is consumed by TV, DishHome doesn’t do that and gives contract speed.

5) Nepal Telecom (NTC/NDCL)

Nepal Telecom is a very big company that is backed by the government. They have the biggest number of mobile subscribers, mobile data users, and the biggest telephone network. NTC internet and landline reach places where no other company can reach. Therefore they are surely special. NTC or NDCL provides wired broadband through FTTH and ADSL. The company is upgrading ADSL to FTTH in a phase-wise manner.

Nepal Telecom currently provides NTC ADSL service with a 5 Mbps unlimited package at a basic rate of Rs 800 per month. It is the most basic and cheapest internet service in Nepal. The company also has 8 Mbps FTTH service for migrated users at the same rate. However, that rate is only for old ADSL users and new customers can’t subscribe to it.

The internet service from NTC is available in almost 77 districts of Nepal. I have been an ADSL user for 10 years and I am an NTC FTTH user. In my experience, I have seen all the ups and downs. I have seen its worst downtime and I have also experienced super stable connections. Since 2017, Nepal Telecom ADSL and FTTH connections have shown me the best stability. Where many customers of private ISP complain of downtime and slow speed, NTC consistently provides contract speed and 99% uptime. One best thing they have is ‘Triple play’ which is telephone, internet, and TV in a single line.

Nepal Telecom Internet Price and FTTH Packages

Unlike all private ISP, these prices are inclusive of 13% VAT just consider these before making a decision. These rates are applicable throughout Nepal. These are FTTH plans and on top of that here is the detail of installation and charges.

4) Classic Tech

Classis Tech is a very famous ISP that made its fame for wireless service. They used to provide internet through WiFi. Now they are deep into the FTTH game. We have seen Classic Tech grow the fiber network inside Kathmandu valley and even outside. They have many big corporate customers as well. So they are quite trusted too. Many Classictech users spoke well about the good internet service of the company as well. They have good customer care and response according to users. However, there may be some issues sometimes but that is common with all.

Classictech also has two types of services for Nepali customers. First is the home broadband service and next is enterprise broadband. In the home broadband service, there are packages from 225 Mbps to 1000 Mbps. The 1000 Mbps package is also one of the fastest Internet in Nepal. Then Classictech also has enterprise packages with up to 120 Mbps speed but those are truly unlimited because there is no FUP. Companies and businesses can use 120 Mbps without any data cap while 1000 Mbps home users will face a data cap or Fair use policy.

Classictech Internet Price and Packages

13% VAT addition is also to be added to these prices so the prices are a bit higher. So definitely consider that before making a decision. Classic Tech actually provides assurance of latency and speed within its own base only and speed that approaches the network through a direct-wired connection up to the subscriber. That is the practice in the market. Usually, people get the contract speed in the router when checked via LAN cable but the speed is less in WiFi due to losses. In addition to all the internet plans, the company also has installation charges as follows

3) Subisu

Subisu is a popular ISP that is known for both cable and FTTH Internet service. They are one giant ISP and are among the top players in Nepal. They have more than 2,00,000 subscribers and are continuously growing since 2001. Subisu provides internet and TV through optical fiber these days. The company has segregated its services into three types. The first main service is pure internet through FTTH, the second is the common home or residential package that comes with Internet and Clear TV and finally, the third one is just TV.

Just like other companies Subisu also has enterprise service. Subisu Cablenet Ltd. provides dedicated connections, Intranet, SME packages, 24/7 uninterrupted service, disaster recovery, secure Datacenters, enterprise VPN connectivity, IPLC services, and Cloud Services. Those are mainly custom services and prices are provided through quotes.

For residential users, the cheapest package from Subisu is Rs 12,832 per year for a 150 Mbps connection. Similarly, the fastest internet connection for home users is a 650 Mbps package at Rs 21,239 per year. These prices are all exclusive of VAT.

The company has good customer feedback at first but just like other companies, they have also had complaints during peak hours. People have complained about speed, connection downtime, and other issues. Some people are enjoying good service while some are not. Besides the problem, their tariff and package are pretty reasonable.

Subisu Internet Price and Packages

All these prices are exclusive of 13% VAT so that is also to be added to this price. Also, these prices are only applicable to Kathmandu. The company has different rates outside the valley. In addition to the packages, the company also has installation, and here are the details.

2) Vianet

Vianet Communications is one of the most famous ISP in Nepal which started its service in 1999. They are really known as the first company to serve fast internet to home users via optical fiber. The company also provides internet service to SMEs via SOHO plans and enterprises through special plans. Their reach and coverage are also expanding pretty well outside Kathmandu valley and into other districts.

Vianet is quite unique with its service in the current scenario. These days every company is in a price war or speed war but Vianet took it to the next level and brought one of the cheapest internet service in Nepal. Their Mini Internet Pack costs less than Rs 10,000 and provides sufficient speed for a small home of 4 members. Such packages are very useful for people living on rent or people who run small businesses and shop.

In our experience through all these years, we haven’t heard many customers complaint. We know that complaints are issues are everywhere but what matters is complaint rate or density. In most cases, we have heard praises of download speeds.

Vianet Nepal has many internet packages for home and business users. They also have ViaTV for the television which comes with YouTube integration, channel rewind, Shemaroo service, and Movies On Demand.

Vianet Internet Price and Packages

All these prices are subject to 13% VAT. In the case of subscription of Ultra-Fi packages, purchasing the company’s WiFi device is compulsory. All the plans with ViaTV include the price of TV service as well. In addition to the packages here are the one time installation charges of Vianet services.

1) Worldlink

It is the biggest ISP in Nepal and they have been providing service since 1995. Worldlik has a very broad category of services. They serve internet connections to homes, businesses, SMEs, and enterprises as well. Worldlink has more than 6,00,000 customers which is a very big number. The company has many residential plans and they also provide high-speed connections up to 1 Gbps. Their 1 Gbps Photon pack is one of the fastest internet in Nepal. According to users, the download speed is just as promised, uptime is good and customer service is also responsive. P2P applications also run with good speed but sometimes P2P speed is related to seed/peer ratio. Many online gamers and streamers use Worldlink as well

Worldlink offers a complete package to residential users. This means they give high-speed internet using FTTH, WiFi coverage, and TV service all in the same package. From WiFi coverage, we meant Beacon or the repeaters for Mesh Wifi. In the case of television, NetTV is the partner for TV service with Worldlink and they provide Movie on Demand as well. NetTV is an IPTV service and they also have OTT for web and mobile. One of the important things Worldlink has is IPv6 in their network and products.

Worldlink Internet Price in Nepal and Packages

All these prices are exclusive of VAT. Among these, 200, 250, and 300, Mbps plans are from the ‘Photon Lite’ packages whereas 600 Mbps and 1 Gbps are from ‘Photon’ packages. Now let us have a look at the first-time installation cost or the one time Internet setup charges for the cheapest home internet connection.

Best Internet Service Provider In Kathmandu

Many of the ISPs are focused on Kathmandu valley. They have better and more high-speed packages inside the capital. Some also provide wireless internet service in limited locations. All the big companies that we listed above serve inside Kathmandu. They also serve outside the valley. Companies usually focus on capital than expand outwards.

As of now, we are only recommending optical fiber connection from these companies. Almost all ISP in Kathmandu have FTTH service. Their service is increasing in other Metropolitan cities like Pokhara, Chitwan, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Butwal, Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj, etc. There are local service providers in each district and they have their own specialty. We would like to include them if we get more information on them.

According to the NTA report, there are a total 57 number of ISPs in Nepal. This includes Broadlink, Web Surfer, TechMinds Network, Eastlink Technology, Net Max, Arrownet, and Sky Cable. They serve in other regions of Nepal and mostly outside the valley. If you live outside Kathmandu, we highly encourage you to ask your neighbors and the service quality before taking a new connection. We also urge service providers to improve accessibility in rural areas for the betterment of the country.

Routers and WiFi

Many of the ISP give one router when customers take their connection. Its main objective is to convert the signals coming from optical fiber, copper cable, or coaxial cable to usable data. Some are modem cum routers and they are also called ONU. If we see all internet price in Nepal, most of the companies include ONU/router prices in the package.

There have been many concerns regarding the WiFi and security of the routers provided by Internet service provider companies. Many people complain that the WiFi coverage is not good in company-provided routers. This is why people buy WAN Access Points and repeaters to expand the coverage. This is a very crucial thing and it affects your speed. If you test your speed using a LAN cable you might get full speed but in a wireless connection, it is very low. This is why people who stream videos, download, and do gaming on WiFi may experience slow down and signal drops. This is also why when companies advertise themselves as providers of the best nternet in Nepal, they don’t pass the WiFi litmus test.

These days companies are providing high-speed WiFi routers to users. Companies have dual-band routers, 5 GHz routers, and even WiFi 6E routers. Some companies are even providing mesh wifi for home users for the best coverage.

Conclusion

If we see all the connection packages for Internet offer in Nepal, we see that most of the companies are in the same ballpark. Their price and packages are very near. Almost all of them have a combo package for TV service as well. They all have FUP restrictions for residential users. The difference isn’t that much but what creates a difference is their service quality and the customer feedback. We have tried to showcase the best ISP in Nepal from a balanced perspective which means we tried to weigh many factors.

For some people, the best ISP may be the cheapest ISP with the lowest possible plans while for some, best maybe the company that has the highest speed for the best internet in Nepal for gaming. While for some people best connection may be a stable connection. In one social media interaction, many people told us that they would prefer FUP free 50 Mbps unlimited connection with zero downtime for a four-person family over any other high-speed plan. This shows that the need is stability and less restriction.

So overall we would like to suggest you pick a reasonable internet package that fits your budget. If you have lots of options available near your house, seek a review of your neighbors on speed, uptime, and stability. If you are going to provide connection to tenants then do some prediction of peak requirement as well. Finally, keep your router in the optimum location.