Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Reliance Jio, and Bharti Airtel, three out of four telecom operators in India have added new mobile sites to ensure Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2024 pilgrims get seamless connectivity in their journey. Reliance Jio has the most sites in the Yatra route compared to Airtel and BSNL. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Communications on Monday. In addition, new SIM distribution centers were opened for the pilgrims so that they could pick a new SIM of their choice to get mobile connectivity. This improvement in telecom infrastructure will ensure that pilgrims are connected to their loved ones at all times and also provide them access to help during a health emergency or crisis. 5G sites have been added in some areas for delivering high-speed internet connection to users.
More details below.
Read More - Mobile ARPU for Indian Telcos Grew to Rs 153.54 for QE March 2024: TRAI
31 New Sites Added taking the Total to 82
The three telecom operators have together added 31 new mobile sites in the Yatra route. Earlier, there were 51 sites in 2023, now, the total sites have gone up to 82. The routes from Lakhanpur to Qazigund and from Qazigund to Pahalgam and Baltal are fully covered with 2G, 3G, 4G, including 5G technology at many places for pilgrims and the public.
Here are the locations where new SIM distribution centers have been opened up: Lakhnapur, Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar, Chanderkot, Anantnag, Srinagar, Srinagar Airport, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and Baltal.
Bharti Airtel has 19 mobile sites, and their locations are Soanmarg, Nilgrath Army Camp, Baltal-1, Baltal-2, Domail-1, Domail-2 Army Camp, Rail Patri, Burari, Sangam, Holi Cave, Panchtarni, Poshpatri, Sheshnag, Chandanbari, Nunwan Base Camp, and Multiple Yatri Niwas along the routes. Airtel is offering 2G, 4G and 5G coverage here.
Read More - Telecom Tariffs Driven by Market Forces: Ministry of Communications
Reliance Jio has the most sites - a total of 36, and they are Gansibal Pahalgam, Nunwan Base Camp, Pahalgam Bus Stand, Pahalgam Market, Lidder Park Pahalgam, Circuit Road Pahalgam, Lalipora Pahalgam, Lalipora ESC, Betab Velly, Chandanwari, Chandanwari Pahalgam, Pisu Top, Zojibal, Sheshnag Camp, Sheshnag Pahalgam, Mahagunas Pass, Poshpatri, Panchtarni-1 Panchtarni-2, Snagam Top, Holi Cave Pahalgam ESC, Holi Cave Pahalgam, BarariMarg, Rail Patri, Domail Camp, Domail, Baltal Base Came-1,2,3,4, Saribal Kangan, Nilgrath Sonamarg, New Truck Yard Sonamarg, Sonamarg Main Market, and Sonamarg Road. Out of the 36 sites, Jio is offering 4G and 5G in 30, and 4G in six remaining.
As for BSNL, there are 27 sites, located at Ranga Morh, Baltal, Domail Check Post, Domail, Rail Patri-1 Rail Patri-2, Barari, Y-Junction, Sangam, Holi Cave, Panchtarni, Kelnar-1, Kelnar-2, Posh Patri, Mahagunus Top, Wabal, Sheshnag, Nagakoti, Zojibal-1, Zojibal-2, Pisu Top, Chandanwari, Pahalgam, Nunwan Base Camp, and Multiple Yatri Niwas along the routes having 2G, 3G and indigenous 4G coverage.