*Sigh, the poor mountain. Turned into an adult playland long ago, but the march of "progress" continues unabated. Now you can update your Facebook status and Twitter to your hearts content. Awesome. At least the high costs of satellite communications kept the blather to a minimum before. No longer the case, set ready for the deluge.
KATHMANDU (Reuters) – A private telecom firm took high speed Internet
facilities to the top of the world on Thursday when it launched Nepal's
first 3G services at the base camp of Mount Everest.
The installation could help the tens of thousands of mountain climbers
and trekkers who visit the Mount Everest region in the Solukhumbu
district every year.
They have to depend on expensive satellite phones to remain in touch
with their families as the remote region lacks proper communication
facilities.
Nepali telecom company Ncell said its new facility is the first 3G setup
at the base camp of Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain at
8,850 meters (29,035 feet).
"This achievement is as mighty as the altitude as 3G high speed internet
will bring faster, more affordable telecommunication services to the
people living in the Khumbu Valley, trekkers, and climbers alike," said
Lars Nyberg, chief of Nordic telecoms firm TeliaSonera, which owns 80
percent of the firm.
Via Reuters.
