Is there phone signal at Everest Base Camp? Village by village
Mobile data works from Lukla to Namche, fades after Dingboche, and at Everest Base Camp itself there is almost none. Which network lasts longest, and where Everest Link Wi-Fi takes over.
Not usefully at Everest Base Camp itself. You will have 4G from Lukla to Namche Bazaar, the signal thins out after Tengboche, and by Gorak Shep only Nepal Telecom still reaches, weakly. At base camp expect emergency calls at most. For the last days of the trek, the Everest Link Wi-Fi cards sold in the lodges are what people actually use.
Our Nepal eSIM connects to both local networks, Ncell and Nepal Telecom (NTC), so you get whichever of the two is stronger at each stop.
Signal along the trail
| Stop | Nepal Telecom | Ncell |
|---|---|---|
| Lukla | 4G | 4G |
| Namche Bazaar | 4G | 3G to 4G |
| Tengboche | 3G | 2G to 3G |
| Dingboche | patchy 3G | 2G |
| Lobuche | 2G to 3G | very weak |
| Gorak Shep | 2G, data unreliable | none |
| Everest Base Camp | emergency calls only | none |
This comes from trekking operators on the route, updated in 2025 and 2026, not from official coverage maps, and conditions change with weather and load. Other operators agree on the pattern: Ncell stops after Dingboche, and Nepal Telecom holds on a little longer.
Wi-Fi: Everest Link
Most lodges from Namche up sell Everest Link Wi-Fi cards. Prices vary a lot by source and season, from around NPR 500 for 100 MB to NPR 2,500 or 3,000 for 10 GB. It is slow and shared, but in Lobuche and Gorak Shep it is often the only connection. There is no public Wi-Fi at base camp itself.
Charging
Lodges charge per device, and prices rise with altitude, from a few hundred rupees low down to NPR 500 or more near Gorak Shep. Power is solar or hydro and weak on cloudy days. Carry a power bank and keep batteries warm at night.
What to do with that
- Use Lukla and Namche for anything important: bookings, bank, long calls home.
- Download offline maps and your permits before you fly to Lukla.
- Tell family when to expect silence, usually from Dingboche to your return to Namche.
- Carry a satellite messenger if you trek without a guide.
Quick answers
Can I use WhatsApp at Everest Base Camp?
Not reliably on mobile data. A message may go through on Nepal Telecom at Gorak Shep, or over Everest Link Wi-Fi in the lodges.
Which SIM works best on the EBC trek?
Nepal Telecom reaches further up the valley than Ncell. Our eSIM can use either, so it takes whichever is available.
Is there signal in Namche Bazaar?
Yes, 4G on Nepal Telecom and 3G to 4G on Ncell.
Sources: Nepal Intrepid Treks (updated 3 September 2026), Highland Expeditions (30 June 2025), Ammonite Adventure. Checked 21 September 2026.