Kathmandu, Dec 08-Ncell has started providing mobile numbers to customers that start with new number range 971. New mobile numbers are being issued to customers in accordance with allocation of new number range to Ncell by the government.

The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) on May 28, 2025 granted approval to Ncell to issue numbers under this range. NTA has approved this range for Ncell as the mobile numbers under the previously issued ranges—980, 981, 982, and 970—were insufficient to continue issuing new SIM cards to customers.

“We are thankful to the NTA for granting approval for this new number range, keeping the market situation in mind. After completing the necessary preparations, we started issuing new numbers under this range. At a time when the use of mobile phones has expanded beyond basic communication to include digital transactions and access to various services, these new numbers will benefit both consumers and various service providers,” said Upanga Dutta, Chief Consumer Business Officer of Ncell.

With the start of the new number distribution, Ncell has also requested all government and non-government bodies, service provider companies, offices, banks, and financial institutions, those directly or indirectly connected to mobile systems and offering various services to integrate/update this new number range 971b into their systems at the earliest, if not yet done. Service providers need to integrate/update the new range into their systems to ensure efficient service delivery.

Apart from telecommunications services, mobile numbers are essential for receiving OTPs related to various services, signing up for mobile app and web-based platforms, and carrying out different digital transactions. As the country moves toward a digital future with the advancement of information technology, mobile numbers have become an important medium for citizens to access and receive services easily and digitally.