China sets up 5G signal base at Tibet’s radar station near Sikkim border

According to the Chinese military's official website, China has established a 5G signal base at the Tibet's Ganbala radar station which is the world's highest manually controlled radar station at an altitude of 5,374 metres, near the Sikkim border.

The new 5G station is mainly intended to assist People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers stationed at the remote station in accessing the internet and staying in touch with their families back home.

The mountain is situated in Tibet's Nagarze County, close to the Indian and Bhutanese borders.

China Military Online, the official Chinese defence website said, “Recently, a 5G signal base station was put into use at the Ganbala radar station in Tibet at the elevation of 5,182 metres, the world’s highest manually operated radar station.”

According to the website, the People's Liberation Army began coordinating with civilian enterprises to begin construction of a 5G base station in Ganbala at the end of last year to address the problem of network access for border defence soldiers.

The “information blockade” according to the report, was contributing to the “exceptionally challenging” living conditions at the radar station, which included a shortage of drinking water, housing, and heating.

The Chinese military has made advances in numerous initiatives in the last few years to develop the conditions for its border forces and personnel, including year-round green vegetable supply, warm and clean barracks, and ready-to-use oxygen inhalers.

China Military Online also said, “The implementation of these measures has supported the improvement of training and on-duty conditions for soldiers stationed in border areas.” It further added, “The stable and high-speed 5G signal enables soldiers in the deep mountains to keep up with the information society, leaving the monotonous and boring life on the border behind forever.”