Last Updated on by ICT BYTE
Nepal’s digital growth has reached a point that looks impossible at first glance. Recent telecom data shows that the country’s internet penetration has crossed 143%, meaning there are significantly more internet connections than citizens. As of Mangsir 2082 (November 2025), total broadband penetration stands at 143.01%, despite Nepal’s population being 29,164,578 according to the 2078 National Census.
So how can a country have more internet connections than people? The answer lies in how broadband connections are counted and how Nepalis use the internet today.
How the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) Calculates Internet Penetration in Nepal ?
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) does not simply count individual users. Instead, it combines fixed broadband, wireless broadband, and mobile broadband subscriptions, using specific assumptions that reflect real-world usage patterns.
This methodology explains the so-called “143% Paradox.”
1. The Multiplier Effect: One Fixed Connection, Many Users
The biggest contributor to this paradox is fixed broadband measurement.
- NTA assumes one fixed broadband connection serves 4.37 people
- This number is based on Nepal’s average household size
By Mangsir 2082, Nepal recorded:
- 3,341,809 FTTH (Fiber to the Home) subscriptions
Using the multiplier:
- These connections are estimated to serve 14,606,297 people
- This alone equals 50.08% population penetration
In simple terms, one household connection is counted as internet access for the entire family.
2. The Mobile Data Boom
If fixed broadband serves households, mobile broadband serves individuals—and often more than one per person.
Mobile internet dominates Nepal’s digital ecosystem:
- 88.86% of total broadband share
- 26,943,865 mobile broadband subscriptions
- 92.39% population penetration
Many Nepalis use multiple SIM cards, commonly from:
- Nepal Telecom – 56.13% market share
- Ncell – 43.87% market share
As a result, one person may be counted two or even three times in mobile broadband statistics.
3. Fast and Consistent Monthly Growth
Nepal’s internet penetration is not just high—it’s growing rapidly.
- Ashoj 2082:
- Penetration: 141.63%
- Subscriptions: 30.11 million
- Kartik 2082:
- Penetration: 142.14%
- Subscriptions: 30.18 million
- Mangsir 2082:
- Penetration: 143.01%
- Subscriptions: 30.32 million
In just two months, Nepal added over 200,000 new broadband connections, highlighting strong and continuous demand.
4. What Qualifies as “Broadband” in Nepal?
Not all internet services are included in these figures. According to NTA, broadband includes:
- 3G and 4G mobile data
- FTTH (Fiber to the Home)
- ADSL and limited legacy services
Notably excluded:
- GPRS-based internet services
This ensures the statistics focus on modern, high-speed internet access, not basic or outdated connections.
Final Breakdown: Broadband Users in Mangsir 2082
The 143% penetration rate comes from combining three categories:
- Fixed Broadband (Wired):
- 14,606,297 users
- 50.08% penetration
- Fixed Broadband (Wireless):
- 158,732 users
- 0.54% penetration
- Mobile Broadband:
- 26,943,865 subscriptions
- 92.39% penetration
Total Calculated Subscribers:
41,708,893 connections
That’s nearly 12.5 million more connections than Nepal’s actual population.
Understanding the Paradox
The 143% Paradox doesn’t mean every Nepali has multiple devices or that data is wrong. It reflects:
- Household-based counting for fixed broadband
- Multiple SIM usage per individual
- Rapid expansion of digital services
Rather than an anomaly, this figure highlights Nepal’s fast-evolving digital economy and growing dependence on internet connectivity across daily life, business, education, and governance.
Nepal may not have more people than people—but it clearly has more ways to get online than ever before.
