A Milestone in Mobile Communications at 17,000ft

Nepalese telecoms firm Ncell, has launched the world’s highest internet service on Mount Everest.  Climbers can now surf the internet and make video calls through a 3G network says TeliaSonera, the Swedish broadband provider, which owns Ncell.

The company has installed eight 3G base stations along the route to Everest base camp.  It is thought that the wireless network will help the thousands of tourists who visit Mount Everest every year. To date, climbers and trekkers have had to rely on satellite phones and a voice-only mobile network.

At present less than one third of Nepal's population have access to telecommunication services.  TeliaSonera have also announced that they will be investing more than $100m (£63m) in the next year to improve mobile coverage in the country.