Nepal Telecom (NTC), the government-backed telecom provider, has introduced 3G network and telephone services in Sangta village, a remote and underserved area near the Mustang-Dolpa border. This development allows residents and visitors to access mobile data and make calls, significantly improving communication in the region.
The service was established using a microwave radio link repeater installed on a tower at Ghiuladada in Varagung Muktichhetra-02, with local authorities coordinating closely with the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) and NTC. Sangta, discovered by the government in 2022, lies 40 kilometers from the Mustang district’s city of Jomsom and hosts just 13 permanent households.
Locals have welcomed the new connectivity, sharing how prior to this launch they had to trek three hours to find a mobile signal. The 48-volt solar-powered mobile network tower now enables timely access to information, disaster alerts, commercial activities, and easier communication. NTC’s Jomsom office chief, Hum Bahadur Bhujel, emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding quality telecom services to remote communities.
Although the network currently operates on 3G, NTC plans to upgrade to 4G soon, continuing its push to provide modern broadband coverage nationwide—over 98% of local areas already have 4G connectivity. The introduction of 3G in Sangta is expected to benefit not only the nomadic locals but also boost local economic opportunities and tourism.
