The peak of Mt. Everest became a wi-fi hot spot when 3G plan was successfully launched in Nepal by a Sweden-based carrier. The chief executive of Ncell, a subsidiary of TeliaSonera, said the highest video call ever was made from the Mount Everest base camp Friday. Now that Nepal has the beginnings of a 3G network, climbers can go online at the peak of the world's highest possible peak and one of one of the most backward countries on Earth will get a taste of modern technologies.

denselZ · Nov 4, 2010 12:07 AM

"Now that Nepal has the beginnings of a 3G network" ? Sorry, I didn't use but I am ekdam sure that NTC's 3G data was already there when I went to Nepal in 2005. I doubt 3G was much popular even in US at that time. So, couldn't digest "one of the most backward countries" in this 3G stuff.

lamjung · Nov 4, 2010 11:46 AM

yeah even tho we lead the race from the bottom, we get some fringe benefits in technology. while the industrial world went through a decade (or maybe a couple) of black and white television, we just cut the chase and settled with sony color tvs :) and now with 3g without going through edge/gprs. its called 'free riders' in economics

dekchidriver · Nov 4, 2010 12:14 PM

@Lamjung 3g started in Nepal from 2007 only. Though 3g, the download speed in only 384 Kbps. Also having 3g service in Nepal does not mean there would be service at every nook and corner , forget about the peak of the Mt Everest. You got to have cell tower to provide the service. Hence its definitely a big deal to provide 3g service at the Mt Everest. @Dekchi Agree with you.

rahashya · Nov 4, 2010 1:24 PM

That's all nice and dandy for handful of tourists visiting Mt. Everest area but my question is: is 3G available in Kathmandu?  If so, how much does the data plan cost?

riten · Nov 9, 2010 10:08 AM