If you’re gearing up for a Leh Ladakh expedition in 2024 or embarking on a Zanskar ride this year, you’ll be amazed by the enhanced connectivity across the Ladakh region.
In the past, BSNL was the sole provider in Ladakh, with sporadic coverage from Airtel and Jio in certain areas. However, these days, you’ll discover internet connectivity extending to all corners, including the once-remote villages.
Also read: 10 Days itinerary for Ladakh from Delhi
Table of Contents
All About Mobile Networks in Leh Ladakh for 2024 Road Trip
Which Type of Sim Works in Leh Ladakh?
Only Postpaid SIMs work in Ladakh; if you have a postpaid connection, you can easily travel to Ladakh with your number.
Other country sim won’t work in Ladakh.
Airtel, Jio, and BSNL have connectivity, so if you have any one of these, then it would be best for you. The other networks work only in Leh. Airtel Jio and BSNL will work in most areas.
What if you don’t have a Postpaid sim in Ladakh?
If you don’t have a postpaid sim, then you can buy a Prepaid sim in Ladakh. Prepaid sim purchased in the Ladakh region will work in Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.
Which Network Provider has the best connectivity in Ladakh?
Although Airtel, BSNL, and JIO work perfectly in Leh, you don’t live in Leh only on your Leh Ladakh Road Trip, so you need reception in remote areas as well.
Airtel works in all major Stops in Leh, like Nubra, Durbuk Upshi, etc. BSNL also works in all these areas, but JIO has installed towers in many new remote places, so I would recommend going with a JIO prepaid sim or getting your Jio Postpaid number for your Ladakh trip.
Mobile Network & Internet Connectivity in Leh-Ladakh Circuit
Mobile Network on Srinagar Leh Highway (Only Postpaid)
Udhampur – Vi, Airtel, Jio, BSNL
Srinagar – Vi, Airtel, Jio, BSNL
Sonmarg – Airtel, Jio, BSNL
Kargil – Airtel, Jio, BSNL
Nimmu – Airtel, Jio, BSNL
Leh – Airtel, Jio, BSNL and others
As you can see, Airtel, Jio, and BSNL work best on the Kargil Leh Highway. The network is available in all major halts of the route, even on high mountain passes.
From Leh, if you go to Nubra Valley
Mobile Network in Nubra Valley (Only Postpaid)
In Nubra Valley again, the network is after the Junction point in Kemur, where the new Nubra Valley Filling station is located. Beyond that, you will find internet connectivity in Diskit, Hunder, Turtuk, and Tyakshi.
Diskit – Airtel, Jio, BSNL
Hunder – Airtel, Jio, BSNL
Turtuk/Tyakshi – BSNL and Jio
Mobile Network in Pangong and Beyond (Only Postpaid)
Only BSNL used to work in that area. Pangong Lake and other border villages are connected with BSNL right now, but connectivity is very disrupted. Network availability in this area is not permanent, and you may not get signals all the time, as electricity is another issue there, but Jio has installed towers in the Pangong, Hanle, and Demchok areas; as per our sources, Pangong Tower is operational, so you can get 4g Connectivity in Pangong area, but you have to stay in Spangmik village.
So, in the future, you will get better connectivity with 4G and 5G speeds in the Border villages of LAC.
I would suggest you stay in Spangmik village, 4 Km from the Pangong Lake starting point. You will find plenty of homestays there, and government-free Wi-Fi is also available; the speed is slow, but it can be used for texting. Also, a new JIO Tower has been erected in that village, so you will get networks, too.
Mobile Network on Leh Manali Highway (Only Postpaid)
Leh Manali highway is one of the most adventurous routes in India, and it is better than the Srinagar Leh highway in terms of thrill and adventure. Leh Manali Highway is 430 km long. People used to cover it in small patches; some people completed it in one day, but that is not recommended.
Manali – All Networks (Prepaid, postpaid both)
Keylong/Tandi – Airtel, BSNL, Jio
Jispa – BSNL, Jio
Darcha – Airtel, BSNL, Jio
Sarchu – Jio 4G only (2 Years Back, jio installed a tower on the Ladakh side of Sarchu, Sarchu is a Himachal/Ladakh border area, so you will get network on your postpaid and prepaid both sim).
Pang – Jio Postpaid only
Leh – Airtel, BSNL, Jio (Only Postpaid sim works)
So, We have shared the completed information about the Network connectivity in Ladakh in 2024. In next article we will share the Camping locations in Ladakh.
If you have any Questions regarding Leh Ladakh Road Trip in 2024, you can comment below.
