Nepal Telecom has extended 4G mobile and internet services to the Badimalika area of Bajura district, bringing connectivity to a remote religious and tourism destination located more than 4,200 metres above sea level.
The service became operational on 24 August following the installation of a new tower at Lauri Binayak, at an altitude of around 4,230 metres.
The deployment required equipment to be transported by Nepali Army helicopter because of the difficult terrain.
4G brings connectivity to pilgrims, tourists and local organisations
The new service is expected to benefit local communities, pilgrims, trekkers, tourists and government and non-government organisations operating in the area.
Badimalika has limited permanent settlement, but it is considered significant because of its religious importance and tourism potential.
Nepal Telecom said the project forms part of its wider effort to extend services to areas where conventional commercial considerations alone may not justify infrastructure investment.
Government prioritises remote-area connectivity
Information and Communications Minister Dr Bikram Timilsina inaugurated the service virtually and said the government is committed to ensuring people in remote areas are not excluded from basic communication services.
He said the current fiscal year is being treated as a period of major improvement and digital transformation for Nepal’s telecom sector.
The government has prioritised expansion of mobile and internet access in rural, remote and tourism-focused areas, alongside improvements in service quality and adoption of new technologies.
Tower deployed after July directive
Timilsina had instructed Nepal Telecom on 24 July to move quickly to provide telephone and internet services in the Badimalika area.
Following that directive, Nepal Telecom proceeded with tower construction despite the technical and geographical challenges.
The new site at Lauri Binayak was completed with support from Nepal Telecom teams and logistical assistance from the Nepali Army.
High-altitude network expansion continues
Nepal Telecom is increasingly extending 4G into mountainous and high-altitude locations.
The operator has already expanded services to Lhan in Tripurasundari Municipality-6 and Dunai in Thulobheri Municipality-1 in Dolpa.
A feasibility study is also underway for the expansion of 4G services along the Sagarmatha, or Mount Everest, base camp area.
These deployments reflect Nepal’s wider effort to improve connectivity in places where terrain, power supply and transport make network construction difficult.
Around 1,600 new towers planned
Nepal Telecom said processes have begun to construct around 1,600 new mobile towers and related sites across the country.
The programme is intended to improve both coverage and service quality, particularly in rural and remote areas.
It also complements efforts to increase the capacity of existing telecom infrastructure.
Why this matters
The Badimalika rollout is significant because it demonstrates how Nepal is pushing mobile broadband into areas that sit well outside conventional urban deployment models.
In high-altitude regions, connectivity can support not only everyday communication but also tourism, emergency response, local administration and digital services.
The use of helicopter transport for network equipment also highlights the practical challenges involved in extending telecom infrastructure across Nepal’s mountainous geography.
Editor’s note
The strategic story is the shift from isolated rural coverage projects toward a broader national expansion programme.
Badimalika is one site, but the planned construction of around 1,600 towers suggests Nepal is trying to address remote-area connectivity more systematically.
The main challenge will be maintaining reliable service in locations where backhaul, power, weather and physical access can be as difficult as installing the tower itself.
