In a unique collaboration, the Indian Army, the local community, and Airtel have successfully brought 4G mobile connectivity to Phobrang, a remote village in Ladakh.
Located 158km east of Leh and near the strategically important Gogra and Hot Springs areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Phobrang had long been without reliable mobile service due to its low population density and challenging terrain.
Private telecom providers had been hesitant to invest in the village due to the limited revenue potential. However, the villagers, led by their representative in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Konchok Stanzin, were determined to bring connectivity to their community. They decided to take matters into their own hands and sought the help of the Army and local authorities.
Under this innovative initiative, Stanzin used his constituency development fund to finance a solar power plant, while the villagers themselves constructed a battery bank to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the mobile tower. The most crucial component, however, was provided by the Army, which laid a 5km optical fibre cable to connect the tower to the signal hub. This expensive infrastructure investment is often a major deterrent for private companies in remote areas.
The arrival of 4G connectivity in Phobrang is expected to have a significant impact on the village, particularly in boosting tourism. The village is known for its scenic beauty and proximity to popular trekking routes, and improved connectivity will make it easier for visitors to access information and services.
