Amarnath pilgrims to enjoy better connectivity as BSNL provides satellite phones en route

SRINAGAR: Pilgrims to the high-altitude Amarnath cave shrine can hope to enjoy uninterrupted telecommunication services this season as state-run BSNL has provided optical fibre connectivity and satellite phones en route the mountainous trek.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has already made available pre-paid SIM cards for the pilgrims at the twin base camps of Baltal in Ganderbal district and Chandanwari in Anantnag district.

General Manager, Telecom, D K Aggarwal told reporters here that "Optical fibre connectivity, V-Sat as alternate media and other satellite phones have been installed for providing uninterrupted telecom services during the yatra period."

Aggarwal said while 2G services are being provided at all stations en route the shrine, 3G services have also been introduced at various stations for the benefit of the pilgrims.

As part of the Digital India Week celebrations, BSNL has also been holding different programmes at district levels in the Valley.

On Monday, state-of-the-art technology equipment (4K) - Next Generation Network (NGN), a body of key architectural changes in telecommunication core and access networks, was installed, tested and accepted for commissioning at the Bemina Telephone Exchange here.