How can I get a Nepal Telecom SIM card in Thamel, Kathmandu?
Does anyone know how I can get a Nepal Telecom SIM card in (or close to) Thamel, as a foreigner? Preferable straight away with not so much hassle because I plan on going trekking ASAP.
I want Nepal Telecom because it's my experience that they have better coverage in the mountain (read: preferred by Sherpas)
Best Answer
I ended up buying a NCELL card because they seemed easier available in Thamel. The coverage in the mountain I visited was not as good as Namaste or Nepal Telecom. There is a NCELL center in Thamel where you can get a card for 100rs (it's a little above Pilgrim guesthouse). They are also available through some kind of re-sellers, like photocopytores, but they sell them for 300rs. You need to fill out a form, bring a picture and a passport copy. Also they wanted my fingerprints!
3g worked well with the NCELL card in some parts of the country, but only slow edge in some parts of the mountains. You can buy a data package, but be advised that they add tax on top of the price quoted. Also, they give you a bonus, so that if you buy 500MB you actually get 1GB.
When I went higher up in the mountains, NCELL coverage stopped working. Porters used Namaste or Nepal Telecom in dual sim card phones, and they had no trouble getting coverage high up in the mountains. Not sure about GPRS, but most tea-houses also has working phones, and it didn't cost much to use them to numbers inside Nepal. International calls was rs150 pr. minute.
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How can I get telecom SIM in Nepal?
For a Nepalese, you need to provide a copy of your citizenship certificate, a photo and fill the registration form, and get a SIM card with its cost. There is also a requirement to sign and put the left & right fingerprints in the registration form paper.How do I get a SIM card in Kathmandu?
As mentioned before you can get a free Nepal Telecom sim card at Kathmandu Airport. Just go to the NTC counter, fill out the form and you will receive one. The sim card does not come with any credit though. At Kathmandu Airport you can buy the following Nepal Telecom data packages.Can I apply for SIM card online?
The entire procedure, from purchasing SIM cards online through verification and receiving the SIM card, will take place online. It is possible to receive it within one day of purchase. Bear In MInd! Not every service provider offers the facility to purchase SIM cards online.How do I get a new Ncell SIM?
NCELL SIM card replacementHOW to BUY nepali sim-card using Indian national ID|SIM CARD In nepal|New sim card|kathmandu tour
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Answer 2
I purchased a sim from Ncell office in Thamel. This is located on the right after you enter Thamel from the main road. In June 2016, I paid 300 NPR for a week validity sim. I have written my experience here http://touristhelpline.com/getting-a-tourist-sim-in-nepal/
Answer 3
Some mini marts have sim card and recharge card, usually they advertise it. The best is to get to the company store directly. To get your sim card as a foreigner you will need your passport, passport sized photo and you'll even have to give your finger prints (thumbs)!
Sources: Travel Like a Boss
Answer 4
It's little difficult to get the NAMASTE (NEPAL TELECOM) sim card as compared to that of the NCELL, But it's not that you have to find the company store,you can get NAMASTE sim's in mini marts too.Just check for the advertisements ,as they usually advertise it.For best coverage get a CDMA sim card from Nepal Telecom.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Bimal Ranabhat, Bimal Ranabhat, Mikhail Nilov, Bimal Ranabhat