Indian Army troops at high-altitude forward posts in Ladakh, by the borders with China and Pakistan, are experiencing mobile 4G and 5G services for the first time. This facility is also available to civilian residents in the remote and isolated villages in the region.

“In the transformative step towards bridging the digital divide and empowering remote communities, the Army has facilitated unprecedented mobile connectivity across high-altitude areas, including forward locations in eastern and western Ladakh as well as the Siachen Glacier region,” an officer said on Saturday.

Connectivity Reaches Extreme Terrains and Strategic Zones.

Mobile connectivity is being rolled out to various vital regions that include soldiers stationed at Galwan, Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), Chumar, Batalik, and Dras-known aby extreme cold, heavy snowbound conditions during winters. 

“It’s a major morale booster for soldiers serving in isolated posts, which are cut off in winters, at altitudes above 18,000 feet, allowing them to stay connected with their families and loved ones,” he said. 

One of the most sensitive areas in the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Galwan Valley saw 20 Indian soldiers killed during a confrontation with Chinese troops on June 15, 2020. The strategically-located DBO, which includes an advanced landing ground (ALG), in turn, overlooks the Karakoram Pass and is just a few km from the Line of Actual Control and the China-occupied Aksai Chin region beyond. 

A whole-of-government approach coordinated with the Indian Army, telecom service providers and the Ladakh administration made this achievement possible. The Army used its optical fibre cable network to facilitate the installation of multiple mobile towers and help expedite emergency internet access in areas once considered to be unreachable.

The operational role for the Leh-based 14 Corps, called the "Fire and Fury" formation, has been cooperatively tasked with laying the project in the said framework. This Corps has facilitated the establishment of important telecom towers across Army-controlled areas, including four towers in the Ladakh and Kargil districts. One of the celebrated achievements is the installation of a 5G tower at Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield.

“The impact of this initiative extends far beyond troop welfare. It is a significant nation-building endeavour that is transforming the socio-economic fabric of remote border villages,” he said.

“By integrating ‘First Villages’ into the national digital network, this effort is boosting local economies and border tourism, while enhancing medical aid and emergency services, enabling educational access and arresting migration from the border villages,” he added.