Nepal – Phone Travel Wiz

Interested in going to India for a few days? What about China, Bhutan, or Bangladesh? It is relatively easy to get to these destinations. But should you bring your NTC, Nepal Telecom, phone with your while traveling abroad? Is roaming worth it with NTC? We will find out today. Table of Contents Can I roam with NTC? Both NTC prepaid and postpaid customers can roam abroad in numerous destinations. The availability of roaming destination differs between prepaid and postpaid users. Postpaid users can roam at a discounted tariff in various destinations such as China, the US, France, and Japan, while prepaid customers can only roam in China and India. No idea how roaming works? I made this comprehensive guide about what roaming is and how it works. It is worth the read - promised! Roaming with NTC/Nepal Telecom Video Guide Want to watch the video version of this NTC Roaming guide? You bet! Check the video down below, and make sure to subscribe! What do I need to know about roaming with NTC? NTC does not offer any roaming packages, meaning that if you decide to roam while abroad, you will be charged per action. An action could be making a phone call, receiving a phone call, or using mobile data. Receiving a text message is free regardless of the destinations you are visiting. Postpaid roaming tariffs differ per country and even between preferred roaming operators. For example, making a phone call to Nepal from Afghanistan on Afghan Wireless would cost you रू 494.19/min (Nepalese Rupees - NPR), while it would cost you रू 362.41/min on TDCA. Roaming on NTC prepaid is only available in China and India with local outgoing calls starting at रू 30/min. NTC allows its prepaid and postpaid customers to data roam in 14 destinations around the world. NTC' data roam pilot started on the 6th of September 2019 in India for रू 10/MB (100 KB increments). On the 18th of September, they added 13 more destinations to the list, although the tariff varies by destination. Unfortunately, for now, data roaming in the new destinations is for postpaid customers only. How do I enable the NTC roaming service? NTC customers can either dial a number or use the Nepal Telecom app to enable NTC roaming service. NTC prepaid customers have to dial *1415*7# from your prepaid phone and choose the option in the list to subscribe to the prepaid roaming service. If you want to enable roaming through the Nepal Telecom app, you have to follow the following steps: (Note: NTC recommends you to download and activate the app while you are still in Nepal. You cannot receive the one-time passport (OTP) to activate the app without being connected to a network) Open the appGo to Buy PacksChoose International ServicesChoose Prepaid Roaming*Press on ActivateClick on Buy Packs againPress OK * Even if you are on a postpaid plan, you do have to select Prepaid Roaming to activate roaming. Congratulations - roaming has been activated on your phone! Where can I roam with NTC? Roaming tariffs and availability differ between postpaid and prepaid customers. Below you can find the tariffs for both options together with the corresponding roaming rates. Tip: Looking for cheap flights? Book with AirWander and add stopovers! Not in a hurry yet? Set up flight alerts with Airfarewatchdog and get notified when ticket prices for your preferred route(s) drop! NTC Prepaid International Roaming destinations and tariffs Notes:1. All prices are in NPR per minute or text with the relevant taxes included2. L. Out. Call stands for Local Outgoing Call3. Out. Call ROW stands for Outgoing Call to Rest of the World4. Inc. Call stands for Incoming Call5. Incoming SMS are free of charge Destination L. Out. Call Call to Nepal Out. Call ROW Inc. Call SMS China 50 90 397 53 54 India 30 30 397 14 24 NTC Postpaid Discounted International Roaming zones and tariffs NTC uses zones to group roaming tariffs. Below you can find the list of zones and the corresponding destinations or regions. Underneath, a table with zones and rates can be found as well. Zone 1 - China & Hong Kong Zone 2 - United States & Canada Zone 3 - India Zone 4 - Europe & Russia Zone 5 - Asia Zone 6 - Middle East Zone 7 - SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Countries except for India Zone 8 - Australia Notes:1. All prices are in NPR per minute or text with the relevant taxes included2. L. Out. Call stands for Local Outgoing Call3. Out. Call ROW stands for Outgoing Call to Rest of the World4. Inc. Call stands for Incoming Call5. Incoming SMS are free of charge 6. The tables may be best viewed in landscape mode or desktop view (when on mobile) Action Call to Nepal L. Out. Call Inc. Call SMS Out. Call ROW Zone 1 90 50 53 544 397 Zone 2 59 44 31 38 397 Zone 3 30 30 14 244 397 Zone 4 90 80 111 344 397 Zone 5 135 135 90 34 397 Zone 6 70 50 55 30 397 Zone 7 107 95 42 38 397 Zone 8 119 119 20 28 397 NTC Postpaid Discounted International Roaming Zone 1 rates & destinations Action Call to Nepal L. Out. Call Inc. Call SMS Out. Call ROW Price 90 50 53 54 397 Destinations & operator(s): China - China Mobile & China UnicomHong Kong - HKT & China Mobile NTC Postpaid Discounted International Roaming Zone 2 rates & destinations Action Call to Nepal L. Out. Call Inc. Call SMS Out. Call ROW Price 59 44 31 38 397 Destinations & operator(s): United States - T-Mobile & AT&TCanada - Bell, Telus & Rogers NTC Postpaid Discounted International Roaming Zone 3 rates & destinations Action Call to Nepal L. Out. Call Inc. Call SMS Out. Call ROW Price 30 30 14 24 397 Destinations & operator(s): India - Bharti Airtel, Idea & Vodafone NTC Postpaid Discounted International Roaming Zone 4 rates & destinations Action Call to Nepal L. Out. Call Inc. Call SMS Out. Call ROW Price 9080 111 34 397 Destinations & operator(s): France - OrangeBelgium - ProximusUnited Kingdom - 3 UK & Jersey TelecomNetherlands - KPN & T-MobileDenmark - TDC/YouSee & TelenorGermany - Telekom DeutschlandPoland - T-MobileSwitzerland - Sunrise &SwisscomItaly - WIND, 3 Italy & TIMUzbekistan - UnitelNew Zealand - 2 degrees Norway - TelenorSweden - Telenor NTC Postpaid Discounted International Roaming Zone 5 rates & destinations Action Call to Nepal L. Out. Call Inc. Call SMS Out. Call ROW Price 135 135 90 34 397 Destinations & operator(s): Malaysia - DIGIPhilippines - SMARTSouth Korea - SK Telecom & KTJapan - NTT Docomo & SoftbankThailand - AIS & dtacMyanmar - MPT NTC Postpaid Discounted International Roaming Zone 6 rates & destinations Action Call to Nepal L. Out. Call Inc. Call SMS Out. Call ROW Price 705055 30 397 Destinations & operator(s): United Arab Emirates - Etisalat & DuQatar - Ooredoo (Qtel) NTC Postpaid Discounted International Roaming Zone 7 rates & destinations Action Call to Nepal L. Out. Call Inc. Call SMS Out. Call ROW Price 107954238 397 Destinations & operator(s): Sri Lanka - MobitelBangladesh - Banglalink & Grameen Phone Bangladesh NTC Postpaid Discounted International Roaming Zone 8 rates & destinations Action Call to Nepal L. Out. Call Inc. Call SMS Out. Call ROW Price 119 11920 28 397 Destinations & operator(s): Australia - Telstra NTC Postpaid Standard International Roaming tariffs NTC Postpaid subscribers can roam in the following destinations. However, the rates differ per country and per operator. The prices are high, and I would recommend getting a local SIM card or an international SIM card like OneSimCard, SimOptions, Surfroam, BNESIM, or SimCorner instead of roaming on standard roaming rates - it will be much cheaper. Notes:1. All prices are in NPR per minute or text with the relevant taxes included2. L. Out. Call stands for Local Outgoing Call3. Out. Call ROW stands for Outgoing Call to Rest of the World4. Inc. Call stands for Incoming Call5. Incoming SMS are free of charge 6. Rates may fluctuate due to the NPR/USD exchange rate7. Tables may be best viewed in landscape mode or desktop view (when on mobile) Destinations A-M Destination Operator Call to Nepal L. Out. Call Inc. Call SMS Afghanistan Afghan Wireless 494.19 98.84 136.75 82.36 Afghanistan TDCA 362.41 98.84 136.75 82.36 Albania Vodafone 374.60 63.53 97.66 30.93 Armenia MTS 404.34 74.88 97.66 37.44 Australia Optus 413.67 67.77 97.66 44.20 Australia Vodafone 286.74 67.55 113.30 43.97 Austria A1 485.61 139.35 97.66 63.34 Bahrain VIVA 497.85 127.45 97.66 71.69 Bangladesh Aktel 430.54 108.50 162.88 43.05 Belarus MTS 534.88 35.19 97.66 21.11 Belgium Orange 501.45 158.35 97.66 37.83 Belgium Base 439.87 89.73 97.66 21.82 Bhutan B-Mobile 228.32 138.38 192.77 34.59 Bhutan TashiCell 149.75 74.88 129.26 74.88 Cambodia Cellcard 282.31 69.19 166.85 41.18 Canada Videotron 299.51 133.28 230.94 37.44 Czech Republic Vodafone 690.85 69.08 97.66 34.54 Denmark Telia 354.63 64.07 97.66 47.28 Egypt Vodafone 615.81 87.97 97.66 52.78 El Salvador CTE 344.43 74.88 172.54 29.95 Estonia Elisa 316.70 105.57 97.66 32.55 Finland Telia 263.92 59.82 97.66 28.15 France Free Mobile 527.84 87.97 97.66 42.23 France SFR 263.92 124.92 176.84 42.23 Georgia MagtiCom 449.26 89.85 97.66 29.95 Germany O2 350.13 174.19 97.66 52.78 Germany Vodafone 287.50 155.54 97.66 29.91 Ghana Vodafone 114.86 58.70 97.66 16.47 Greece Vodafone 290.31 70.38 97.66 43.99 Hong Kong SmarTone 226.23 44.10 141.76 57.52 Hungary Vodafone 283.18 58.41 97.66 27.44 Iceland Vodafone 211.14 65.10 97.66 38.71 India BSNL West Bengal 323.82 92.52 204.73 46.26 India MTNL Mumbai India 228.98 113.34 227.86 46.26 Iraq Korek Telecom 314.48 59.90 127.61 29.95 Isle of Man Manx Telecom 297.63 297.63 97.66 19.84 Israel Cellcom 715.76 186.40 97.66 131.72 Israel Pelephone 630.76 122.65 97.66 78.85 Italy Vodafone 351.89 105.57 97.66 43.99 Kenya Airtel 594.52 67.39 97.66 50.92 Latvia Bite 325.50 38.71 97.66 22.87 Lebanon MIC 185.96 149.34 97.66 41.18 Lithuania Tele2 413.48 191.78 97.66 29.91 Lithuania UAB Bite 510.25 95.01 97.66 40.47 Luxembourg Orange 501.45 158.35 97.66 37.83 Macau CTM 297.82 53.98 151.64 55.84 Macau 3 Hong Kong 292.23 48.40 97.66 55.84 Malaysia Maxis 544.63 72.62 170.28 78.06 Malaysia U Mobile 250.17 38.49 136.15 41.75 Maldives Dhiraagu 351.92 40.43 121.78 59.90 Maldives Ooredoo 344.43 44.93 136.75 67.39 Malta GO 512.01 102.05 97.66 40.47 Malta Vodafone 524.32 82.70 97.66 36.95 Mauritius Cellplus 270.25 50.32 198.63 50.52 Mexico TELCEL 409.88 124.75 222.41 44.55 Destinations N-F DestinationOperatorCall to NepalL. Out. CallInc. CallSMS Netherlands Vodafone 492.65 105.57 97.66 45.75 New Zealand Spark 399.83 61.51 97.66 46.13 New Zealand Vodafone 502.36 153.78 97.66 51.26 Norway Telia 254.67 63.67 97.66 30.01 Oman Ooredoo 524.24 150.73 97.66 58.42 Pakistan CMPak 101.80 59.38 84.93 25.45 Pakistan Ufone 156.03 89.48 96.91 41.93 Papua New Guinea Digicel 329.46 82.36 97.66 57.66 Philippines Globe 440.28 41.93 139.59 34.44 Portugal MEO 439.87 52.78 97.66 47.51 Portugal Vodafone 351.89 105.57 97.66 43.99 Puerto Rico Claro 307.00 89.85 187.51 59.90 Qatar Vodafone 349.70 133.71 97.66 51.43 Romania Vodafone 387.08 43.99 97.66 26.39 Russian Federation MegaFon 973.40 599.02 397.17 67.39 Russian Federation MTS 967.71 193.54 97.66 79.18 Russian Federation T2 Mobile 576.55 127.29 157.56 14.98 Saudi Arabia Mobily 315.08 139.77 97.66 63.90 Saudi Arabia Zain 479.21 139.77 217.46 63.90 Sierra Leone Africell Lintel 285.30 62.73 97.66 30.35 Singapore M1 319.46 94.65 192.31 59.16 Singapore StarHub 272.35 66.35 164.01 38.70 Slovenia A1 536.64 118.06 97.66 64.40 Slovenia Telekom Slovenije 457.46 96.77 97.66 43.99 South Africa Vodacom 211.14 61.58 116.13 17.59 Spain Vodafone Espana 362.45 102.05 97.66 52.78 Sri Lanka Dialog Axiata 378.36 57.38 111.77 41.24 Sri Lanka Etisalat 335.45 50.32 104.70 16.77 Sweden Tele2 380.05 96.59 97.66 40.64 Sweden Telia 380.05 105.57 97.66 45.75 Taiwan Chunghwa 435.77 71.32 168.98 39.94 Taiwan Taiwan Mobile 461.30 78.63 176.29 41.94 Tajikistan Tacom 521.29 67.15 150.67 26.51 Tanzania Vodacom 449.26 112.32 97.66 58.40 Thailand True Move H 260.68 96.04 193.70 54.88 Tunisia Tunisie Telecom 614.76 316.10 274.24 87.20 Turkey Turkcell 1056.74 176.12 97.66 67.93 Turkey Vodafone 880.61 155.99 97.66 62.90 United Arab Emirates Thuraya 449.26 449.26 172.54 149.75 United Kingdom O2 396.83 99.21 97.66 49.60 United Kingdom T-Mobile 962.32 105.16 97.66 59.53 United Kingdom Vodafone. 416.68 99.21 97.66 49.60 Uzbekistan UMS 269.56 59.90 120.12 44.93 Vietnam Viettel 247.09 74.13 171.79 41.18 NTC data roam destinations DestinationNPR/MBService TypeAustralia10PostpaidChina10Postpaid & PrepaidIndia10Postpaid & PrepaidCanada24PostpaidQatar24PostpaidUnited Arab Emirates24PostpaidUnited States24PostpaidJapan40PostpaidKorea40PostpaidMalaysia40PostpaidSingapore40PostpaidSwitzerland40PostpaidThailand40PostpaidUnited Kingdom40Postpaid Can I roam on planes with NTC? In-flight roaming is not possible with NTC. Can I roam on cruise ships with NTC? Maritime roaming is not available with NTC. Is roaming with NTC worth it? Depending on the roaming zone, roaming with NTC can be an expensive experience. If you want to call back to Nepal while being in a standard rate destination, your call could cost up to रू 1056.74/min (calling from Turkey). Even receiving a phone call in the Russian Federation on MegaFon would cost you a whopping रू 397.17/min. That is money you could better spend on experiences while traveling. Calling to the other destinations from your visiting destinations is only available for postpaid subscribers who are roaming in one of the 8 discounted roaming zones. In other words, calling someone in destination C when visiting destination B that is not Nepal (A) can only be done if you are a postpaid subscriber and are in a destination that is in the discounted tariff zones. For example, you can call someone in Bangladesh (C) if you are visiting Switzerland (B). You cannot, however, call someone in Bhutan (C) if you are in Cambodia (C). I would not recommend calling anyone in C destinations when visiting a B destination, as you will pay a flat rate of रू 397/min, which is expensive. In fact, I would discourage calling at all, especially if you are in a standard tariff destination, as it will be an expensive experience. Calling in a discounted rate destination could be worth it if you do it in moderation. Keep the calls short if you have to make or pick up a call. You would be better off using an internet-based application like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or Skype to call someone as long as you are connected to a WIFI network. Data roaming with NTC would not even work unless you are in India, which is charged at रू 10/MB. When I wrote that line, data roaming was available in India only. Now, they have expended their data roam destinations to 14, which is awesome. China, India, and Australia are the cheap destinations ( रू 10/MB, but it can go up to रू 40/MB). This sounds cheap, but it can add up quickly if you forget to turn mobile data off when you are not using it or are accidentally watching five YouTube videos on 1080P quality. In short, I would discourage NTC customers from roaming with NTC and encourage them to get a local SIM card or international SIM card like OneSimCard, SimOptions, Surfroam, BNESIM, or SimCorner instead of you need to stay connected while traveling. If not, connect to WIFI hotspots to use data or to use a voice or messaging app to keep in touch with your friends and family back home. What is next? Looking for the best companies and gadgets to enhance your travel experience? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! Save money on plane tickets, bus rides, cruises, and accommodation. Besides that, I also list services and items I use to make my life easier - and I believe they will help you too! Book Your Flight It is time to book your flight. Find cheap flights with AirWander so that you can add free or cheap stopovers in destinations you have not considered yet. If you are not ready to take off yet, set up flight alerts with Airfarewatchdog, and they will notify you once ticket prices for your preferred destination drops. Book Your Accommodation I am a huge fan of Airbnb because it allows me to live with a local or get a local place for myself. Staying in someone’s house or apartment feels much different than being in a ho(s)tel. At least, that is how I see it. Moreover, Airbnb can often be much cheaper than staying in a hotel. Get Your Travel Insurance You will regret not having travel insurance once you actually need it and “forgot” to get it. Nowadays, travel insurance is cheap and comprehensive unlike back in the days. World Nomads is by far the best travel insurance for adventurous travelers like yourself. You can even get insured WHILE already traveling, which is not something many insurance companies allow you to do. Get a Travel Debit Card Travel Cheques are outdated. Paying with your credit card or debit card can be expensive because of all the exchange commissions banks charge you. TransferWise allows you to convert your main currency to the currency of your destination for a small fee (up to 8 times less than with your bank!) Getting a Transferwise Borderless account is FREE, so you will get an instant return on your investment. Enjoy your trip!