Just weeks after postponing a 5G trial due to a lack of compatible devices, Nepal Telecom has finally kicked off its 5G trials.

The operator launched the trials to commemorate its 19th anniversary.

However, the trials are not open to the public and are being conducted internally.

These trials are taking place in the Sundhara and Babarmahal districts of Kathmandu, and are using the 2.6GHz band frequencies allocated by the government.

The trials have come a month later than planned, with initial trials set for January 2023 postponed. Nepal Telecom had planned to conduct trials in July 2021, but was stopped after a change of government prevented the required allocation of spectrum.

According to the Kathmandu Post, no official 5G launch date has been given. Instead, officials have said it "should launch soon".

The state-run operator currently serves 7.13 million customers with its 3G service and over 11.5 million with its 4G network.