Sim Cards in Nepal
As travelers can save a significant amount of money by using the local sim card available in Nepal instead of spending additional costs on roaming, it is the most logical and cost-efficient way to travel. Getting a sim card is also pretty easy with just an ID photocopy and two passport-sized photographs.
There are generally two major telecommunication services providers in Nepal that offer network coverage all the way to the base camp Ncell and NTC (National Telecommunication Corporation). Both of these big networks have a huge influence on the trekking route of the Everest Base Camp and are the most convenient option to stay connected to the outside world during this remote exploration in the Khumbu region.
NTC is famous for its wide network coverage in the country but has a slower speed compared to its counterpart Ncell, which is known for its reliable speed and easy set-ups, especially for travelers. Both of these companies are widening their coverage by proving 4G, 3G, and 2G services. But at the current period, travelers exploring the Khumbu region consider NTC services best below the Lukla region and Ncell's reliable reception for the higher altitude.
Mobile Phone Reception on the Everest Base Camp Trek- Different Elevations
You will receive high network coverage at the lower segments of the trek and naturally, as you graduate to the higher elevation points, the coverage quality gradually starts to decline. But fret not, during the most part of the trek you will have a moderate level of network coverage for the phone calls, however, for a reliable internet connection, you may have to depend on a prepaid wifi card.
Phone Reception at Lukla
Lukla Altitude: 2,860 meters
Phakding Altitude: 2,640 meters
Phone Reception: Good
Lukla which is also dubbed the ‘Gateway to Everest’ is the first segment of every adventure in the Everest region. After landing here you will be able to have a good phone reception here for both phone calls and internet usage. You will be also able to buy wifi card here but as the network coverage of both Ncell and NTC is strong here, you probably won’t be needing it.
However, as you trek down to Phakding, the network coverage is on a ‘moderate’ scale, and although it won’t problem for phone reception, the internet connection may slightly get sluggish. In that case, you could use the Everest link wifi prepaid cards.
Mobile Phone Reception on the Everest Base Camp Trek- Namche to Tengboche
Namche Altitude: 3,440 meters
Tengboche Altitude: 3,860 meters
Phone Reception: Good
As you further ascend towards the higher altitude in your Everest Base Camp trek, you will get good network coverage at both Namche and Tehnboche sections. You can use both Ncell and NTC 3G services at the Sherpa capital, and the coverage actually spikes during the hike to the Syanboche area.
You will receive excellent reception for both phone reception and internet service at Namche Bazaar. However, as you trek up to Tengboche, you will only be able to use the service of Ncell as NTC network coverage isn’t available in the region. Tengboche has good coverage of the Ncell network, as the Ncell tower is right in the middle of the teahouses settlement in the area.
Dingboche and Lobuche Phone Reception
Dingboche Altitude: 4410 meters
Lobuche Altitude: 4,940 meters
Phone Reception: Bad/no coverage
After making a significant elevation jump during your Everest Base Camp trekking expedition, the phone reception starts to get bad at this section of the trek or sometimes there is no network coverage at all. Still, you will get a moderate level of network coverage during your hike to Chukkung from Dingboche.
Similarly, at Lobuche, the Ncell phone reception is bad with often no coverage at all. And, the NTC coverage isn’t available in the region; you will have to use wifi prepaid cards at this segment of your trek.
Gorakshep and Kalapatthar Phone Reception
Gorakshep Altitude: 5,164 meters
Kalapatthar Altitude: 5643 meters
Phone Reception: Good/average
During your uphill trek to Gorakshep, you will be able to use the good to moderate network coverage of both NTC and Ncell for call and internet. There is the availability of a good 2G network for calls and a moderate level of data network for internet usage. If the data connection is slow in this region, you will be able to buy wifi prepaid cards.
Mobile Phone Reception on the Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp Altitude: 5,364 meters
Phone Reception: Moderate
Arriving at the foothills of the magnificent and greatest peak of them all in the Himalayas, Mt. Everest, you might be wondering how well the mobile phone network is. Well, rest assured, both Ncell and NTC offer moderate network coverage to make the phone call, in case you want to share accomplishments ASAP on your social platforms, then in that case you will have to wifi link prepaid cards.
In case, if you are planning an adventure above the base camp, scaling the highest mountain in the world, satellite phones are the best way to stay in touch. Generally, the mountaineers on the expedition of Mt. Everest use satellite phones to make calls and text, as for the internet services, portable satellite internet devices are used during the climb.
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