Ncell becomes Nepal’s 1st authorised data centre, cloud service provider

KATHMANDU: Ncell has become the first and only Nepali company to be officially enlisted as a data centre and cloud service provider in Nepal. The Department of Information Technology (DoIT), under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MoCIT) enrolled Ncell on Sunday for both services.  

The company was enlisted under the legal provisions outlined in the Data Centre and Cloud Services Operation and Management Directives 2025. This follows a thorough inspection of Ncell’s infrastructure and a detailed review of its application and submitted documents, confirming that the company fully meets the required operational standards and security protocols to provide these services.  

The directive mandates that all existing data centre and cloud service providers must enrol with DoIT within six months of the directive’s issuance. Ncell successfully completed the enrolment process well ahead of the deadline.  

The directive came into effect on January 28, 2025, following a ministerial decision by Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung. It lays the foundation for the legal regulation of data centres and cloud services in Nepal.  

In accordance with the directive, companies must obtain separate certifications for operating data centres and offering cloud services. Ncell has secured both certifications, making it the first and only officially authorised company to operate in full compliance with the new legal framework.  

Ncell currently operates a high-tech Tier III Integrated Data Centre (IDC) in Nakkhu, Lalitpur, which serves banks, government agencies, and large enterprises. It also runs two disaster recovery data centres located in Pokhara and Hetauda.  

"Our commitment to international standards, prioritisation of cybersecurity, and focus on data privacy contributed to the smooth enrolment process. Ncell has become the first and only company in Nepal to receive this recognition from the government. Given the growing market for data centres and cloud services, this certification holds significant importance. We are grateful to DoIT for this recognition, which reflects Ncell’s readiness to support ICT development in alignment with the Digital Nepal vision," said Dion Asencio, Chief Business Officer of Ncell.  

During the enlistment process, the DoIT thoroughly reviewed a wide range of documentation, including fire safety protocols, organisational security and privacy policies, business continuity plans,data centre tier classification, and IP pool details. The directive aims to ensure the reliable, secure, and efficient operation of IT systems in the country. The formal enlistment of data centre and cloud service providers is expected to enhance regulation, transparency, and cybersecurity across the sector.

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