A survey has been conducted to establish Nepal Telecom (NTC)’s 4G and electricity line at North Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) North. Although ABC is a hugely popular tourism spot, it suffers from the absence of modern communications facilities. Therefore, under the initiative of the local level’s chairman, Bharatkumar Pun, a survey was completed just recently. The popular tourist area lies in Annapurna Rural Municipality- 04, Narchyang, which attracts thousands of domestic and foreign tourists annually.
The Chief Administrative Officer, Kapil Pandey, said that the chairman, Pun, had submitted a letter to the Communication and Energy ministries for the survey. After this, a nine-member team consisting of individuals from NTC, electricity technicians, and locals surveyed Panchakunda Lake, reports Gorkhapatra.
Also: The State of 4G Speed in Nepal and its Influencing Factors
NTC 4G in North Annapurna Base Camp
The plan is to bring electricity and NTC 4G to the North Annapurna Base Camp. The former communication minister Jagdish Kharel had also cooperated positively on this project. Communication services will not just help with reliable connectivity but also aid rescue efforts at the globally popular tourist hotspot. There is a communication dead zone from Humkhola to the upper regions. NT engineer, Jivaraj Upadhyaya, said that additional plans will be made after the preliminary details, including the survey, are received.
The ABC stands at an elevation of 4150 meters above sea level, which usually causes health complications to the tourists. But rescue and medical services have been difficult due to the lack of power and telecom services, Chairman Pun said.
NT has remained active and aggressive in expanding its services in remote regions, including tourist areas. NTC 4G is now available in the Tilicho Lake area, Manaslu circuit, Machhapuchchhre Base Camp, and various other areas.
Current state of connectivity at North ABC
Communication services are available from Narchyang to Humkhola (20 km) en route to Humkhola on the way to the North ABC. However, there is no coverage for 22 km between Humkhola and the North ABC. So, areas that come along the way, such as Chhotepa, Humkhola, Sandhikharka, Gufafat, etc., and the base camp itself are left without 4G.
NTC and NEA have completed a survey to bring 4G and electricity to the region, which is flooded with enthusiastic tourists in Ashoj, Kartik, and Falgun to Jestha.
Ntc’s 4G coverage has reached 749 local levels out of 753. The company continues to expand modern communications services across the country including the rural and remote regions, with tourism and religious significance.
