Zanskar to go mobile

For better or for worse (better if you are Zanskari, worse if you are a Western romantic) Zanskar is about to receive BSNL mobile coverage. The transmitter is apparently in situ and waiting for the last commissioning strokes before Zanskaris can use their much cherished handsets. This is a significant step up from Zanskar’s previous ‘mobile’ service which relied on the use of cordless handsets (designed for around-the-house use) in the bazaar!

I wonder if the Zanskaris will fall into the trap of offensive ringtones and overly loud telephone conversations in public about nothing particularly pressing. I await the ‘Om mane padme hung’ ringtone: I suspect it exists already.

More on the story can be found
here.