KATHMANDU, Aug 24: Telephone and internet services have reached the Badimalika area of Bajura, a destination of major religious and tourism significance, following the expansion of Nepal Telecom’s 4G network to the remote region.
Mobile and internet services came into operation on Monday after the installation of a 4G tower in the area. The service was launched ahead of the religious fair held in Badimalika on the occasion of Janai Purnima.
Located at an altitude of around 4,200 meters above sea level, the area previously lacked reliable telecommunications services. The expansion is expected to ease communication for local residents, pilgrims, tourists, and government and non-government agencies operating in the region.
The tower installation was completed at around 1 pm on Monday, after which 4G service was brought into operation. Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dr Bikram Timilsina virtually inaugurated the service, saying the government was committed to ensuring that citizens living in geographically remote areas are not deprived of their basic right to communication.
Minister Timilsina thanked Nepal Telecom employees who worked continuously to extend telecommunications services to the area, as well as the Nepal Army for assisting with the transportation of equipment by helicopter and local representatives of Badimalika for their coordination and support.
He said the government was observing the current year as a period of unprecedented improvement in the telecommunications sector and digital transformation.
Smart Telecom starts 4G service today: starts 4G service today
The minister added that the government would work to end situations in which citizens are deprived of communication services simply because they live in geographically challenging areas.
According to Timilsina, the government has given priority to expanding quality telephone and internet services to remote and tourism-related destinations across the country.
Following the launch, Minister Timilsina also spoke directly via video call with Nepal Telecom technicians deployed in Badimalika for the installation of the tower.
During the conversation, he sought updates from employees of Nepal Telecom’s Wireless Services Directorate and Sudurpaschim Provincial Directorate regarding the status of the newly launched service and the challenges they faced during the installation process.
Assistant Technical Officer Madhav Budhathoki, engineer Sudarshan Acharya, civil engineer Dipak Raj Bhatta, and other technicians briefed the minister on the work carried out during the tower installation and service launch.
Nepal Telecom Managing Director Sangeeta Pahadi said providing telecommunications services to remote areas remains one of the company's key priorities.
She said Nepal Telecom was working not only to expand service coverage but also to improve service quality. Pahadi added that the company prioritizes its responsibility to serve remote areas with limited access to telecommunications, rather than making expansion decisions solely on the basis of commercial returns.
One month of effort to install the tower
The government and Nepal Telecom had been working continuously for around a month to bring telephone and internet services to Badimalika.
On August 8, Minister Timilsina instructed Nepal Telecom to immediately expand telecommunications services in the Badimalika area.
After expressing concern over the lack of communication facilities in the region, he directed the company to begin the necessary procedures and overcome technical and geographical challenges to bring the service into operation.
Following the minister’s directive, Nepal Telecom initiated preparations for the construction of the tower and the launch of 4G services in the area.
Transporting equipment and construction materials by road proved difficult due to the rugged terrain. As a result, the Nepal Army deployed a helicopter to transport the equipment and other materials required for the construction of the tower.
The successful launch means residents, pilgrims, and visitors to the high-altitude religious and tourism destination can now access reliable mobile and internet connectivity.
