Telephone

Even though thousands of visitors pass through Tengboche every year, there was no reliable method of communicating to the outside world. The only way was through the short-wave radio to the National Park and even that was only during scheduled times in good weather. On one level this is quite appealing since it adds to the mystique of a spiritual place in the Himalayas.

However, it has also directly contributed to deaths that could have been avoided if there had been a telephone in Tengboche. When people are suffering from Acute Mountain Sickness it can be a matter of hours before they die. In order to arrange a helicopter a deposit has to be arranged through the patient's Embassy, family, trekking or insurance company. It needs a telephone to be able to do this quickly and effectively especially out of office hours.

The Nepal Telecommunication Cooperation has now established an Earth Satellite Station in Tengboche. In addition to the support provided by Mr. Wolfgang Nairz, Tengboche Development Project invested more than US$ 7,000. - into the establishment of the telephone. It is hoped that the transmitting quality, which is not the best at the moment, will be improved and an internet/email service could be added. Nonetheless Tengboche is now connected to the world. The number is 0977 (0) 19 22011