Trekking the remote trails of the Everest Base Camp is an incredible adventure. This spectacular trek offers an opportunity to escape from the urban world and all the material belongings. It is a great time to surround yourself with the tranquility of mother nature.
However, the internet is an integral part of the 21st-century lifestyle. The remote trails of the Khumbu region remain connected to the web in one way or the other. Some trekkers and climbers also want to live streaming videos, post pictures, and talk to their loved ones from the top of the world.
Moreover, the internet connectivity in the Everest region makes this trek popular among young trekkers. There are many options to get connected with the internet that includes, WIFI, mobile data, prepaid broadband connection and others. Good internet connectivity also ensures the safety of the trekkers and climbers in the region.
Furthermore, other features of having a good internet connection are SOS calls, location beacons, map routing, and emergency medical calls. The WIFI, 3G connectivity and broadband connection allows you to use all these features with ease. Read further to know more about the WIFI on Everest Base Camp Trek in detail.
Internet Access on Everest Base Camp Trek
The Everest Base Camp Trek is an incredible adventure in the beautiful landscapes of the Himalayas. The trek passes through the remote trails and thus communication has remained a big problem in the high altitude trek in the past.
With the invention of modern technologies, the trails of the region are now connected with any part of the world. The world has turned into a global village with the help of the internet. Various internet facilities including WIFI, Everest Link Card, mobile data and others are available along the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)
You can buy WIFI on Everest Base Camp Trek. WIFI connectivity is available at various points along the trail. However, at the highest point of their trek, Everest Base Camp (5,364m), the WIFI facilities are not available. Hence, you should get a local mobile Sim Card from Ncell if you want to use the internet at the Everest Base Camp.
Moreover, the beautiful natural landscapes and the breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains are the highlights of the trek. You can contact and share the stories of your adventure with your family and friends through the internet connection Everest Link provides the WIFI internet services for the entire region. Thus, if the server of Everest Link goes down, all WIFI on Everest Base Camp Trek goes down as well.
3G Mobile coverage
The mobile coverage in the Everest region started in the year 2010 through the telecommunication company Ncell. Ncell is the Nepalese subsidiary of TeliaSonera, the Swedish company. It was the first company to establish the 3G mobile broadband station in Gorak Shep.
The broadband station is just a few miles away from Mt. Everest at an altitude of 5,200 meters. Trekkers and hikers can use the Ncell connection to browse the internet in the Everest Base Camp trek. There are 8 mobile base stations in the region including the one in Lukla. The mobile strength is good enough to make video calls.
Moreover, climbers can use the 3G signal while climbing the highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest as well. They can talk to friends and family throughout their ascend to the highest mountain peak in the world. You can call from the summit of Everest and it also allows live feeds back to base camp. However, the mobile phone reception on the Everest Base Camp Trek can get lost at times depending upon the location of the trail.
Everest link card
Everest Link Card is a wireless broadband internet service that is specially designed for trekkers to connect with their loved ones. You can get the Everest Link Card at various stores in the Everest region.
The wireless broadband internet connectivity is relatively cheaper than the teahouse WIFI on Everest Base Camp Trek. The broadband connection WIFI has prepaid cards of 50 MB to 100 MB at variable prices. You can get these cards at the cost of around US$ 2 to US$ 4. However, the price may vary according to the place and the time of the trek.
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The Access to the Internet on Everest Base Camp Trekking Trails
Lukla
The regular Everest Base Camp Trek starts from the beautiful settlement of Lukla. We arrive at the village through an adventurous flight. The lodges in the settlements have WIFI services that trekkers can use after paying US$ 5-6. The famous Starbucks at Lukla has a free WIFI, and thus you can find many tourists and trekkers flocking the cafe to have a fresh cuppa and browse the internet.
WIFI Signal: Good
WIFI Cost: U$D 5-6 for an unlimited package
Mobile Service: NCell 3G
Phakding
Phakding is a beautiful settlement and just a few hours away from Lukla. At Phakding, few bakeries have internet connectivity; but the connection remains weak. The Everest Link Card provides a better internet connection, you can also use 2G-3G NTC and Ncell mobile network.
WIFI Signal: Good
Mobile Service: NTC, NCell 2G-3G
Namche
Namche is the famous commercial and tourist hub of the entire Everest Region. At Namche, you will get a good WIFI connection and trekkers can also browse the internet for free at the Namche Bakery. You can get the WIFI at the cost of US$ 1-2 (per hour) but the connectivity remains poor due to the maximum number of users. The Everest Link WIFI provides easy and fast internet connection.
WIFI Signal: Very Good
WIFI Cost: US$ 10-15 (unlimited)
Mobile Service: NCell 3G
Tengboche
There are only a few tea houses in Tengboche that offer WIFI internet connectivity. Moreover, the connectivity is not so good.
WIFI Signal: Poor
WIFI Cost: U$D 5-6 per hour
Mobile Service: NCell 2G
Dingboche
Dingboche is another spectacular settlement in the Everest Base Camp Trek that lies above the altitude of 4,000m. The tea houses in the village have WIFI service and trekkers can use the internet connection in the arid landscape. You can also use the Everest Link WIFI as well.
WIFI Signal: Poor
WIFI Cost: US$ 7-10 per hour
Mobile Service: NCell 2G
Lobuche
Lobuche is a higher settlement with good internet connectivity. The 3G Ncell Network also works perfectly in the settlement, and you can also use Everest Link Card alternatively.
WIFI Signal: Very Good
WIFI Cost: US$ 10 per hour
Mobile Service: NCell 2G
Gorakshep
Gorakshep is the original Base Camp of Mt. Everest is the last human settlement along the trail. The few teahouses in the region have WIFI or you can get Everest Link Card for better internet connection. Besides that, the Ncell 3G Network is also available for fast connectivity.
WIFI Signal: Very Good
WIFI Cost: US$ 12 per hour
Mobile Service: NCell 3G
Everest Base Camp
The Everest Base Camp (5,364m) is the highest point of the trek and WIFI facilities are not available here. Hence, you can get a Sim Card from Ncell for browsing the internet at the Everest Base Camp. Everest Base Camp area has a strong 3G connection due to the tower at Gorak Shep.
WIFI Signal: Unavailable
Mobile Service: NCell 3G
Is the Internet Necessary During the Everest Base Camp Trek?
The Internet is an essential part of our lives in the modern-day world. Trekkers can use the internet to connect with their loved ones along the trek and ensure their safety. You can use the internet to browse social networking sites like Facebook, WhatsApp, Viber, Instagram, and others. The basic email service is also available in the trek.
Moreover, trekkers are generally advised to use the internet for a limited time. They need to take proper rest after a taxing journey and also need to get prepared for the trek the next day. Laptops are best avoided in the Everest Base Camp Trek due to the heavy load and added power charging costs.
How is the connectivity of WIFI on Everest Base Camp Trek?
Most of the villages in the Everest Region have relatively good internet connections. The WIFI connections along the tea houses get slow at times due to the large number of users. Hence, the WIFI on Everest Base Camp Trek in the teahouses is unreliable for a long term use.
Everest Link Card is an effective connectivity option as it is the dedicated wireless prepaid broadband service in the region. But there are problems of the server getting down at times. Overall, If you want to use the internet for a short amount of time, the NTC and Ncell 2G-3G mobile connection is ideal for you. For long term use, the Everest link WIFI card is your best choice.
The Final Say
The popular Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal is on the bucket list of many trekkers around the world. The WiFi and other internet facilities provide the opportunity for daily bonding with family and friends. Trekkers can connect with their families in any part of the world.
Moreover, most of the tea houses and lodges offer WIFI on Everest Base Camp Trek. The NTC and Ncell provide 2G-3G mobile network packages. The Everest Link Card prepaid broadband wireless service provides better internet services in the Himalayan region.
Furthermore, this guide on the WIFI on Everest Base Camp Trek in the region will help you immensely during the trek. You can choose the internet connection that suits your preference and requirement.
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