High speed data services were today launched in Ladakh area, the country's coldest region where temperatures fall to minus 20 degree, by Bharti Airtel under its ambitious 'Project Leap' programme of providing connectivity across the nation.
The services were made operational even at Dras, the coldest place in the country where temperatures go down to minus 40 degrees in winters. It was a main area of confrontation of the 1999 Kargil war when Pakistani intruders had occupied the mountains there.
"Customers in 130 towns and villages, including Kargil, Leh, and Dras, will now be able to enjoy affordable high speed data services and get on to the digital superhighway," an Airtel statement said.
The roll-out of 4G services in the region would not only be beneficial to the local population but also the large number of tourists who visit the region, it said.
Popular spots like Kargil War Memorial, Magnetic Hill, Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Thiksey Monastery, Lamayuru Monastery, Moon Land Lamayuru, Sakti towards pangong Lake, Stok Palace and Hall of Fame are now covered by Airtel 4G, said the country's largest telecom operator.
Bharti Airtel's chief operating officer (India and South Asia), Ajai Puri said: "This is a major milestone for India and for Airtel. Having pioneered 4G rollout in India, Airtel has been committed to expanding its high speed data networks to every corner of the country and contribute to the Governments Digital India vision.
"As part of Project Leap, we will continue to channel investments towards building a world class future ready network that touches every Indian."
Under the 'Project Leap' initiative, Airtels nationwide 4G footprint now spans Ladakh in the North to Kanyakumari in the South and Tawang in the East to Kutch in the West.
The company has committed over Rs 60,000 crore investment for the initiative.
"Airtels network teams and partners have overcome the challenge of extremely difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions, including sub-zero temperatures, to deploy a state-of-the-art 4G network in the region," the statement said.
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