Huawei and China Mobile have partnered up to bring 5G connectivity to the summit of the world’s highest mountain.
The partners set up a 5G base station 6,500 metres above ground which provides access to China Mobile’s dual-gigabit network. Other base stations were built at the Base Camp (5,300 metres) and the Transition Camp (5,800 metres).
A dozen specialists will be stationed at all times across the three camps to ensure the network operates smoothly.
Later this year, Mount Everest is due to be remeasured. Geologists believe a magnitude 7.6 earthquake that hit Nepal in April 2015 may have shrunk the mountain by around three centimetres. The current recorded height of Everest is 8,848m.
The 5G network established by the partners will provide communication services for the remeasurement of Everest.
At 5,300 metres, the Everest Base Camp benefits from 5G download speeds in excess of 1.66Gbps and upload speeds over 215Mbps.
Huawei has set up a 5G camera which provides specialists like mountaineers and scientists with “further insights into nature.” The company also notes how the network makes live VR experiences possible.
Huawei’s Massive MIMO technology helps to provide the reliable coverage needed for the deployment. The company says it works particularly well vertically on Mount Everest due to its flexible three-dimensional narrow beams.
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