SMS is the one channel that reaches every phone in Nepal, including people without data or social media. That's why schools, hospitals, banks and shops still use it for reminders, alerts and offers.
What is the bulk SMS rate in Nepal?
Most providers charge roughly NPR 0.45–1.00 per SMS, with the lowest rates for large volumes bought in advance. One credit usually covers 160 English characters. Nepali text uses Unicode, which fits about 70 characters per SMS, so a long Nepali message can cost two or three credits.
Our own platform, Sigma SMS, charges a flat NPR 1 per SMS plus VAT for NTC and Ncell numbers, with an SMS API for alerts and OTPs, Nepali Unicode support and delivery reports. Its page has a calculator that counts message parts for you.
| Message | Characters per SMS | Example cost for 1,000 recipients |
|---|---|---|
| English, up to 160 characters | 160 | About NPR 450 – 1,000 |
| English, 161–306 characters | 153 each part | About NPR 900 – 2,000 |
| Nepali (Unicode), up to 70 characters | 70 | About NPR 450 – 1,000 |
| Nepali (Unicode), 71–134 characters | 67 each part | About NPR 900 – 2,000 |
What is a sender ID?
A sender ID is the name shown instead of a number, like your brand name. Shared sender IDs are cheaper but look generic. A dedicated, branded sender ID builds trust and is worth it for any business sending regularly; providers handle the registration and it takes some time to approve.
NTC and Ncell coverage
Make sure your provider delivers to both Nepal Telecom and Ncell numbers with good routes, and gives delivery reports for each. Ask for a test send to a few numbers on both networks before buying a large package.
What works best over SMS
- Appointment, fee and payment reminders
- Order confirmations and delivery updates
- OTP and login codes
- Exam results and school notices
- Short offers to existing customers who opted in
Writing an SMS people act on
- Start with your business name if you don't have a sender ID
- One message, one action
- Include a short link or a phone number
- Avoid sending late at night
- Always honour 'stop' requests
