New Delhi: Troops deployed in some of the world’s most inhospitable terrains — such as Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), Galwan, Demchok, Chumar, Batalik, Dras, and even the Siachen Glacier, are now able to connect to their families through video calls and even transfer money from their accounts digitally, thanks to the Indian Army’s initiative to connect these areas to reliable 4G and 5G networks.
“In a transformative stride towards bridging the digital divide and empowering remote communities, the Indian Army has facilitated unprecedented mobile connectivity across the remote and high-altitude areas of Ladakh, including forward locations in Eastern Ladakh, Western Ladakh, and the Siachen Glacier. This initiative has proved to be a major morale booster for soldiers serving in isolated winter cut-off posts at altitudes above 18,000 feet, allowing them to stay connected with their families and loved ones,” a senior official said.
The Indian Army — leveraging its robust optical fibre cable infrastructure — has partnered with telecom service providers and the administration of Ladakh. The Fire and Fury Corps played a leading role in enabling this synergy, resulting in the installation of multiple mobile towers on Army infrastructure, including four key towers in Ladakh and Kargil districts alone.
The impact of this initiative extends beyond troop welfare. It is a significant nation-building endeavour aimed at transforming the socio-economic fabric of remote border villages. By integrating ‘First Villages’ into the national digital network, this effort will bridge the digital divide, boosting local economies, promote border tourism, enhance medical aid and emergency services, enable educational access, strengthen local commerce, preserve cultural heritage and arrest migration from the border villages.
“A particularly historic milestone was the successful installation of a 5G mobile tower on the Siachen Glacier — the highest battlefield in the world — showcasing India’s technological prowess and resolve. Local populations have welcomed this initiative with overwhelming gratitude. Mobile connectivity is not just a communication tool, it is now a lifeline for remote communities, fostering inclusion, opportunity, and dignity,” the official added.
