Jammu, Apr 19: Marking a significant development, for the first time ever, troops deployed in some of the world’s most inhospitable terrains and highest battlefields in Ladakh such as DBO, Galwan, Demchok, Chumar, Batalik, Drass and the Siachen Glacier now have access to reliable 4G and 5G mobile connectivity/network.
Besides, the Indian Army has also provided high speed mobile connectivity to the remote border villages of Ladakh, the PRO Defence, Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said.
“The Indian Army has facilitated unprecedented mobile connectivity to the troops across the remote and high-altitude areas of Ladakh, including forward locations in Eastern Ladakh, Western Ladakh, and the Siachen Glacier to the troops,” the PRO said.
This unprecedented achievement will prove to be a major morale booster for the soldiers serving in isolated winter cut-off posts at altitudes above 18,000 feet, allowing them to stay connected with their families and their loved ones.
This has been made possible through a collaborative approach under the Whole-of-Government framework, wherein the Indian Army leveraging its robust optical fibre cable infrastructure partnered with Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and the UT Administration of Ladakh.
The Fire and Fury Corps played a leading role in enabling this synergy, resulting in the installation of multiple mobile towers on Army infrastructure, including four key towers in Ladakh and Kargil districts alone.
The historic milestone is the successful installation of a 5G mobile tower on the Siachen Glacier—the highest battlefield in the world.
It is a significant nation-building endeavour that will transform the socio-economic fabric of remote border villages.
This achievement will bridge the digital divide, boost the economy, promote border tourism, enhance medical aid and emergency services, enable educational access, preserve cultural heritage and will also help in bringing down migration from border villages.
