[6] The company was a monopoly until 2003, when the first private sector operator, United Telecom Limited (UTL), started providing basic telephone services.

As of 2019, Nepal Telecom had about 20 million users across its fixed landline, GSM mobile, CDMA, and internet services.

A telephone exchange known as "Central Battery" was installed in Kathmandu in 1950, providing telecommunication service to the public.

In 1952, service expanded to Doti, Dang, Jumla, Dailekh, Sallyan, Okhaldhunga, and Rajbiraj, and later to Jaleshwar, Ramechhap, Bandipur, Terathum, Taplejung, Dandeldhura, and Baitadi.

[citation needed] In 2003, Nepal Telecom began offering GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) services to the entire population.

In addition to GSM, Nepal Telecom offers CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), EVDO, ADL, ADSL, FTTH, and other services.