As of late May 2025, the National Telecommunications Authority (NTA) of Nepal is experiencing a noticeable slowdown in regulatory activity, leading to significant delays in application processing and approvals across the ICT and telecom sectors.
Operational Bottlenecks and Management Challenges
Industry sources report that NTA officials have been slow to respond to applications, with decision-making timelines extending well beyond typical expectations. In recent months, the Authority has largely focused on routine administrative functions, with no new programs or initiatives introduced over the past year.
This stagnation has disrupted regulatory workflow, contributing to uncertainty for stakeholders awaiting project clearances, license renewals, or spectrum-related decisions.
Implications for Industry and Market Stakeholders
The delays are affecting a range of telecom and technology projects, with concerns growing over:
- Reduced transparency in regulatory processing
- Lack of engagement on non-routine or strategic matters
- Slowed momentum for innovation and infrastructure deployment
Several companies report that project timelines are slipping due to prolonged NTA approval cycles.
