China's ZTE Corporation has successfully deployed eight 3G stations at the Mt. Everest National Park to provide quality voice and 3G broadband services for local residents and mountaineers from all around the world preparing to climb the world's highest mountain.

To withstand the high altitude and extremely harsh natural environment of the Himalayas, ZTE provided a tailor-made solution for the Mt. Everest project with a strong environmentally conscious focus. The micro base-station is based on the SDR platform, which has a low power-consumption, small footprint, and is easy to install. A one-piece ground tower and heat-insulating Diet shelter are used in the stations, which allow them to be installed quickly without the need for earthwork and foundation construction.

Solar panels were also incorporated in the design to ensure that the station has power supply throughout the year and be environmentally friendly. These features will allow the station to operate at optimal levels even with outdoor temperatures as low as minus 30 to 40 degrees Centigrade with minimal power usage.

"In order to ensure smooth communication for these hikers on their way to Mt. Everest, and to enable them to share their happiness at the most exciting moment of getting on top of the peak with their loved ones, Ncell again teamed up with ZTE to build a network covering the hiking route leading up to Mt. Everest, to create a legacy on the south side of Mt. Everest," said Aigars Benders, chief technology officer for Ncell. Ncell is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Europe's multinational operator TeliaSonera and the second largest mobile operator in Nepal with 40% market share.