Ncell SMS Pack 2026: Price List, Activation Code & Which Pack Is Actually Worth It
Updated: 29 September 2026 · Prices checked against Ncell’s official Packs & Plans page · All prices include taxes
Looking for the cheapest way to text on Ncell? Ncell currently sells four All Network SMS packs, from a Rs 15 one-day pack to a Rs 125 pack with 850 SMS for 28 days. They work for Ncell, NTC and every other local network, and you activate them by dialing *17119#.
This guide gives you the verified 2026 Ncell SMS pack price list, the real cost of each SMS, a simple way to pick the right pack, and the small rules (Unicode messages, stacking, pack priority) that most other sites never explain.
Quick Answer
- Activation code: Dial *17119#, or buy from the Ncell App → SMS pack section.
- Check remaining SMS: Dial *901#.
- Best value: Rs 125 for 850 SMS (28 days) – about 14.7 paisa per SMS.
- Cheapest to buy: Rs 15 for 100 SMS (1 day).
- Who can buy: All Ncell prepaid and postpaid customers.
Ncell SMS Pack Price List 2026
These are all the SMS-only packs Ncell offers right now. The “cost per SMS” column is our own calculation (price ÷ number of SMS), so you can compare packs fairly.
| Price (incl. tax) | SMS | Validity | Cost per SMS | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rs 15 | 100 | 1 day | Rs 0.15 | Festival greetings, one busy day |
| Rs 45 | 300 | 7 days | Rs 0.15 | Regular weekly texting |
| Rs 98 | 300 | 28 days | Rs 0.33 | Light users who want a month of validity |
| Rs 125 ★ | 850 | 28 days | Rs 0.147 | Heavy texters, small businesses |
★ Best value. Source: Ncell Packs & Plans. Ncell changes offers from time to time, so check the pack menu before you pay.
Which Ncell SMS Pack Gives the Best Value?
When you break each pack down to the cost of a single message, the picture is clear. Three packs cost roughly 15 paisa per SMS. One pack costs more than double that.
Cost per SMS by pack (lower is better)
The takeaway: the Rs 98 pack is the weakest deal on the list. For just Rs 27 more, the Rs 125 pack gives you 550 extra SMS with the same 28-day validity. Only pick Rs 98 if you are sure you will never send more than 300 messages in a month and every rupee matters.
SMS Pack vs Normal Ncell SMS Rate: How Much You Save
Without a pack, Ncell charges its normal Sajilo tariff rate for every message:
Ncell to Ncell
Rs 1.27 / SMS
Ncell to other networks (NTC, Smart)
Rs 1.39 / SMS
So when does a pack start paying for itself? Here is the break-even point for each pack at the all-network rate of Rs 1.39:
| Pack | Worth it if you send more than | Normal cost of full pack | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rs 15 / 1 day | 11 SMS in a day | Rs 139 | Rs 124 (89%) |
| Rs 45 / 7 days | 33 SMS in a week | Rs 417 | Rs 372 (89%) |
| Rs 98 / 28 days | 71 SMS in 28 days | Rs 417 | Rs 319 (76%) |
| Rs 125 / 28 days | 90 SMS in 28 days | Rs 1,181.50 | Rs 1,056.50 (89%) |
Sending 850 SMS to any network: normal rate vs Rs 125 pack
Put simply: if you send even a dozen messages on a busy day, the Rs 15 pack already beats paying per SMS.
How to Activate an Ncell SMS Pack
You can buy any Ncell SMS pack in three ways. The USSD code works on every phone, including basic keypad phones.
Method 1: Using the USSD Code *17119#
1
Open your phone dialer and dial *17119#.
2
Choose the SMS pack option from the menu.
3
Select the pack you want (Rs 15, 45, 98 or 125) and confirm.
4
Wait for the confirmation SMS. Your pack is now active.
Make sure you have enough main balance before you dial. If your balance is short, the purchase simply fails.
Method 2: Using the Ncell App
- Open the Ncell App (free on Android and iOS) and log in with your number.
- Go to the SMS pack section under Packs.
- Tap the pack you want and confirm the purchase.
The app is handy because it also shows your remaining SMS, data and voice balance on one screen.
Method 3: From the Ncell Website
Visit Ncell’s Packs & Plans page, scroll to Ncell SMS Packs, and tap Via Website under the pack you want. Follow the on-screen steps to confirm with your Ncell number.
For every other Ncell code (balance, data packs, Saapati, call forwarding), see our full list of Ncell activation and deactivation codes.
How to Check Your Remaining Ncell SMS
Dial *901#. Ncell will show the SMS left in your pack. You can also see it in the Ncell App on the home screen balance section.
Which Ncell SMS Pack Should You Buy?
Match the pack to how you actually text. Most people overbuy or pick the Rs 98 pack out of habit.
You text a lot on one day only
Dashain, Tihar or New Year wishes, event invitations, a class announcement.
→ Rs 15 (100 SMS, 1 day)
You text most days, but not heavily
Family updates, coordinating with friends, around 5 to 40 SMS a day.
→ Rs 45 (300 SMS, 7 days)
You want to set it and forget it for a month
Small shop owners, tuition teachers, anyone sending reminders to customers.
→ Rs 125 (850 SMS, 28 days)
You mostly use Viber or WhatsApp
You only text people who are not online. A data pack with free SMS may cover you (see below).
→ Skip the SMS pack, check your data pack
Important Rules Before You Buy
These conditions come from Ncell’s own FAQ for the All Network SMS Pack:
- All networks, any time: The SMS work to Ncell, NTC and other local operators, 24 hours a day.
- Shortest validity is used first: If you have more than one SMS pack, the one expiring soonest is used up first.
- You can buy again and again: The SMS count adds up each time you buy.
- The last purchase sets validity: Ncell says the validity of your latest pack applies. So be careful: topping up a 28-day balance with a 1-day pack may cut your remaining validity. When in doubt, buy the same or a longer pack.
- After the pack runs out: Normal rates apply (Rs 1.27 or Rs 1.39 per SMS).
- Local SMS only: International SMS are charged separately at Rs 6.34 or Rs 12.67 per message, depending on the country.
Ncell Packs That Already Include Free SMS
Many people buy an SMS pack without realizing their data or combo pack already gives them daily SMS. Check this list before paying twice:
| Pack | Price | Validity | Main benefit | Free SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Unlimited Voice Pack | Rs 22 | 1 day | Unlimited Ncell calls, 5 AM–5 PM | 100 Ncell-to-Ncell |
| Data Pack | Rs 50 | 1 day | 5 GB, then unlimited | 100 / day |
| Data Pack | Rs 99 | 3 days | 10 GB, then unlimited | 100 / day |
| Data Pack | Rs 200 | 7 days | 20 GB, then unlimited | 100 / day |
| Data + Call Pack | Rs 249 | 7 days | 20 GB + unlimited calls | 100 / day |
| Super Value Pack | Rs 449 / 599 / 699 | 30 days | 7–50 GB + unlimited All Nepal calls | 100 / day |
| Super Value Pack | Rs 799 / 1,199 | 30 days | Unlimited data (FUP) + calls | 150 / day |
| Super Value Pack | Rs 2,299 / 4,499 / 8,499 | 90 / 180 / 365 days | Unlimited data (FUP) + calls | 150 / day |
| Data Combo Pack | Rs 1,699 / 6,499 | 90 / 365 days | Unlimited calls + 25 GB/month | 100 / day |
If you are on a Super Value Pack, you already get 3,000 to 4,500 SMS a month. Buying a separate SMS pack on top of that is usually wasted money.
Why Your SMS Count Drops Faster Than Expected (Nepali Unicode)
This is the part almost no other guide mentions, and it catches a lot of people during festivals.
One SMS is not “one message you type.” It is a fixed number of characters. Once you go past that limit, your phone quietly splits the text into several SMS, and each part is deducted from your pack.
| Type of message | Characters in 1 SMS | Per part in a long message |
|---|---|---|
| Plain English (no emoji) | 160 | 153 |
| Nepali (Devanagari) or any text with emoji | 70 | 67 |
From my own experience
The first Dashain I bought the Rs 15 pack to send greetings, I wrote a warm three-line message in Nepali and sent it to my contact list. I expected to reach about 100 people. The pack was gone after roughly 30. Each greeting was around 180 Devanagari characters, so every single message counted as 3 SMS.
Now I keep festival wishes short: one line in Nepali, or a slightly longer version in English with no emoji. The same Rs 15 pack then covers almost everyone.
Quick tips to stretch your pack:
- Keep Nepali messages under 70 characters when you can.
- Avoid emoji in English messages. One emoji switches the whole text to the 70-character limit.
- For long greetings to many people, the Rs 45 or Rs 125 pack is safer than Rs 15.
Ncell vs NTC SMS Rates
If you carry both SIMs, here is how normal SMS charges compare (without any pack):
| Operator | Same network | Other network | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ncell | Rs 1.27 | Rs 1.39 | Tax included |
| NTC (Namaste) | Re 1 | Rs 1.25 | Before tax |
Once taxes are added, the per-SMS rates are close. The real savings on either network come from packs. For NTC codes and packs, see our NTC USSD codes list and the guide to activating and deactivating NTC services.
Old Ncell SMS Packs That No Longer Work
Many websites still list Ncell SMS offers from years ago. If you try them, the menu will not show them. These are no longer on Ncell’s current pack list:
- Mazzako / “Kya Majjako” SMS Pack (150 SMS for Rs 5, 1,000 SMS for Rs 19–25, Ncell-only)
- Ramailo SMS (Rs 2 daily fee, 10 paisa per SMS)
- Night SMS Pack (100 SMS for Rs 5, 10 PM–6 AM)
- Rs 26 All Net 100 SMS for 3 days
- Weekly / Monthly SMS via 17144 and SMS packs under *17118# (now used for voice packs)
The four All Network packs in the price list above are what Ncell sells today.
Ncell SMS Pack Not Working? Try This
- Purchase failed: Check your balance with *101# or *901#. You need at least the pack price in your main balance. Short by a few rupees? A friend can transfer Ncell balance to you in seconds.
- Being charged per SMS: Dial *901# to confirm the pack is active and has SMS left. Your pack may have expired at midnight on its last day.
- Pack used up too fast: Long or Nepali messages count as multiple SMS (see the Unicode section above).
- Short codes and value-added services: SMS to service numbers (votes, alerts, subscriptions) may be billed at their own rate, not from your pack.
- Still stuck: Call Ncell customer care at 9005 or raise a ticket from the Ncell App.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the code for Ncell SMS pack?
Dial *17119# and choose your pack. You can also buy it from the Ncell App or the Ncell website.
What is the cheapest Ncell SMS pack?
The Rs 15 pack (100 SMS, 1 day) is the cheapest to buy. The Rs 125 pack (850 SMS, 28 days) is the cheapest per message at about 14.7 paisa.
Does the Ncell SMS pack work for NTC numbers?
Yes. All current Ncell SMS packs are All Network packs, so they work for NTC, Smart and other local numbers too.
How do I check my remaining Ncell SMS?
Dial *901#, or open the Ncell App.
Is there a monthly Ncell SMS pack?
Yes. Two packs last 28 days: Rs 98 for 300 SMS and Rs 125 for 850 SMS. The Rs 125 pack is the better deal.
Can postpaid users buy Ncell SMS packs?
Yes. Ncell says all prepaid and postpaid customers can buy the All Network SMS packs.
Do Ncell SMS packs auto-renew?
No. They are one-time purchases. Once the SMS or validity runs out, buy a new pack.
Can I send international SMS with the pack?
No. The packs cover local SMS within Nepal. International SMS cost Rs 6.34 (to countries like India, Malaysia, South Korea and the USA) or Rs 12.67 elsewhere, per message.
Related Guides
- All Ncell activation and deactivation codes
- How to transfer balance on Ncell
- Check SIM owner name in Nepal (NTC & Ncell)
- NTC USSD codes list 2026
- How to activate and deactivate NTC services
- Smart Cell short codes and services
Bottom line
For most people, the Rs 125 Ncell SMS pack (850 SMS, 28 days) is the smartest buy. Use the Rs 15 pack for one busy festival day, and skip the Rs 98 pack. Dial *17119# to buy and *901# to check what is left.