Olivia Cavallaro Tech 08.19.2022 06:Aug AM EDT

Tanzania Equips Mount Kilimanjaro with High-speed Internet for Social Media Savvy Climbers

Tanzania has installed broadband service so climbers on smartphones can provide social media updates as they climb.

On Tuesday, Tanzania installed high-speed internet services on Mount Kilimanjaro so that climbers and tourists can post social media updates through their smartphones and devices. The broadband service was set up at an altitude of 3,720 meters or 12,200 feet.

According to The Guardian, the broadband network was installed on Tuesday by the state-owned Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation. Tanzania's information minister Nape Nnauye called the addition of high-speed internet service to Mount Kilimanjaro a "historic" step forward.

Nnauye explained that previously, tourists and climbers had to "operate without internet," making the ascent a "dangerous" one for them. Now, however, climbers can easily access the network and post updates on social media about the climb or call for help if required.

Tanzania to Add Internet Service at Kilimanjaro Peak This Year

Right now, climbers will have access to the internet up to the 3,720 meter height, but Tanzania plans to add broadband connection at the peak of the 5,895-meter mountain by the end of the year, The Independent reported. Tanzania is the latest to add internet connection to outdoor tourist spots that are within the wilderness. Previously, the first mobile phone call made from the summit of Mount Everest was back in 2007 through a Chinese phone mast.

High-speed internet connectivity in places such as Mount Kilimanjaro is a must, especially for historic treks or for seeking help. Decades before on May 29, 1953, news of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reaching the summit of the tallest mountain in the world did not reach other places until June 2.

Connectivity also helps climbers, sailors, and explorers access weather information and forecasting and ensure they have a way to communicate in cases of emergency. Mobile phone networks have also made strides in expanding services to more remote places. These connections can be accessed via smartphones and other smart devices such as Garmin's inReach Mini, which has tracking, positioning, and messaging capabilities.

Internet Connectivity in Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro Expected to Boost Tourism, Mountaineering

Aside from sharing their exciting adventures on Mount Kilimanjaro, climbers will also be assured that the high-speed internet will be reliable in the event they need more information about their journey. The peak is located within Kilimanjaro National Park, which is a protected UNESCO World Heritage site and contributes to Tanzania's overall tourism revenue, CNN reported.

Chinese ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian commended the addition of high-speed internet to Mount Kilimanjaro. China is helping fund the Tanzanian government in its efforts to expand ICT infrastructure within the African nation.

Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant stratovolcano and the highest mountain in Africa, rising to 5,895 meters above sea level. It features seven official trekking routes that ascend and descend Mount Kilimanjaro, spanning six or seven days.

According to UNESCO, Kilimanjaro National Park spans up to 75,575 hectares and is the largest free standing volcanic mass in the world. It features a breathtaking snow-capped peak that can be seen from afar and six forest corridors.