Staying connected in Pokhara is easy and cheap. The only decisions are which network and whether to bother with a physical SIM at all.
At a glance
- Networks
- Ncell, Nepal Telecom
- To buy
- Passport + photo
- Coverage
- Good in town, patchy on trek
- Wifi
- Free in most hotels/cafés
Ncell vs Nepal Telecom
Two networks matter. Ncell (private) tends to have faster data in cities and is what most travellers buy. Nepal Telecom (NTC) (state) has wider coverage in rural and trekking areas — on the Annapurna trails NTC generally holds a signal longer. If you're trekking, NTC; if you're staying around the lake, either. Both offer tourist data packs. TODO: confirm current tourist-pack sizes and prices.
Buying a SIM
Official shops of both networks are on Lakeside and at the airport. Bring your passport and a passport photo (shops can usually take one); registration is done on the spot and the SIM works within minutes. Buy from official outlets or reputable shops rather than a street stall, so the registration is properly in your name.
eSIM
International eSIM providers cover Nepal, and it's the convenient option if your phone supports it — active before you land, no shop visit. It costs more per gigabyte than a local SIM, and the eSIM rides on one of the two local networks anyway. Good for a short trip; for two weeks or more, a local SIM is better value.
Wifi
Nearly every hotel, café and restaurant on Lakeside has free wifi, and it is generally good enough for calls. Power cuts are much rarer than they were, but do happen; a small power bank is a sensible thing to carry.
Questions I get asked
Is there mobile signal on the treks?
Intermittent. NTC is better than Ncell above the villages. Teahouses sell wifi access on the main trails, at a price that rises with altitude.
Can I buy a SIM at Pokhara airport?
Yes, both networks have counters at the airport. TODO: confirm at the new international terminal.