In order to facilitate the tourists or guests coming to Nepal, NTC has planned to provide free SIM cards at TIA after they land. Getting communication and staying connected are very important for everyone. So Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) have collaborated to provide this service. These free Nepal sim card for tourists will be available at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) arrival desk. These cards will be provided ready with 4G and 3G internet activation plus with a certain balance amount.
Tourism is very important for Nepal and tourists are attracted to Nepal for its natural and historical sites. Nepalese people also love tourists and hospitality is a key part of our culture. The revenue from tourism also plays has a huge share in the country’s GDP. So tourists are important for Nepal. In order to strengthen the confidence and help tourists, Nepal Telecom is providing free SIM cards. These free SIM cards are issued on basis of a passport. Tourists arriving at TIA need to show their passports and provide a photo for filling out the request form. So it is better to bring at least one passport-size photo. Else you need to pay about $1 for a photo to be taken and printed on the spot.
NTC Free SIM card for Tourists, Data Pack and Tariff
The special free NTC SIM card for tourists will have Rs 50 as starting balance. Users can add money or top up their accounts from various places. Almost all local shops, and stationery, tea stalls sell recharge cards for Nepal Telecom. There are methods such as MPoS and electronic top-ups as well. Actually, you can add money to your SIM card by online recharge too. NTC Online Recharge portal allows users to top up their balance using Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay cards as well. Else you can ask a local guide for help too.
These SIM cards may be special because they are issued differently. However, the call rate and data rate are all same for Nepalese and foreigners. Local call charges are all the same. So if you and your friends all buy SIM cards at the airport you can enjoy the domestic call rate and talk when needed. Also if you need to call your home, then the standard international ISD call rate applies. Most importantly if you want to use mobile data or buy a data pack, then also the rate is the same. You can have a look at all the information in our article regarding the latest NTC data pack Price, validity, volume, and subscription details.
Free SIM and Services for Tourists
NTC believes this new service will help new people who come to Nepal. It is very important for people to remain in contact while visiting unknown places. Many foreigners get lost in track and rural areas during trekking, hiking, etc. The use of mobile phones with a working local connection can help to track down tourists in case they get into a problem. Tourists can also use maps using mobile data and roam on their own.
Nepal Telecom can help many tourists with this service. As they are providing SIM cards for free, people will definitely take them. It helps both company and users. If the tourists are happy, the tourism industry of Nepal can grow better. With these cards, people can also enjoy a fast mobile internet on 4G and 3G networks. People can browse through maps on their phones and look for directions easily. Travelers can even go to new destinations using the map.
During a visit and excursion, travelers can easily take pictures, and videos and post them live. Tourists could directly upload, go live and publish without having to wait to go to a hotel or place with an internet connection. Actually, data or the internet is the main thing these days. When travelers have data on the go, they can also see restaurant and place reviews. Then they would go there. It all helps both tourists and the industry in the end.
NTB and NTC Collaboration
This project is happening due to a collaboration between Nepal Doorsanchaar Company Limited (NDCL) / Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). These free SIM cards are special and they also have an ISD call service. Therefore foreigners can directly call their homes, friends, and relatives and get in touch. The major focus of NTC is to help tourists, make them safe and get them connected.
Many of the old monuments, buildings, and temples in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur were damaged after the earthquake. Right now many sites are renovated and some are still under reconstruction. These places are major attractions of the city area. But the majority of foreigners come to see the natural beauty of Nepal in rural places and mountain climbing. Mt Everest climbing and Annapurna conservation area project (ACAP) hiking are also very popular among tourists.
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When I was a kid, a few years ago I went to ACAP, Ghandruk, etc. At that time there was a problem with the mobile network and connectivity. Now almost all those pocket places have network availability. So this scheme will really help the people visiting those areas. Overall this is a really good initiation because now tourists don’t have to face problems and long procedures to get a SIM card.
Original Published: 2016/03/03
