Mobile Network in Leh Ladakh 2024 & Data Connectivity

by Vargis.Khan

If you are planning to visit this year, then mentioned below is the most recent update on Mobile Network in Leh Ladakh in the year 2022. Will my Mobile phone work in Ladakh or not is one of the foremost questions asked by anyone planning to visit there. Hopefully, after reading this article, you will have complete clarity on the topic.

Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Leh Ladakh –  A Complete Travel Guide

Rollback about a decade or so and the answer to this question would most probably have been a straight no. Thankfully, such is not the condition anymore. Tourism in Ladakh has increased several folds in the last few years. As a result, the availability of basic amenities also has improved drastically.

Authorities are taking every step possible to make it easier for tourists to visit Ladakh. Along with facilities like hotels and local transport, cell phone connectivity too in Ladakh is far better now than it was a few years ago.

mobile network in leh ladakh

Which Mobile Network Works in Leh Ladakh?

The first thing that you should know here is that only postpaid mobile phones work in Ladakh, and in the entire region of Jammu & Kashmir actually. This remains applicable even after these places were declared union territories and are no longer a state.

This is applicable by law and a mandate for all cell phone companies. If your’s was a prepaid connection, then your mobile phone will be as good as a paperweight the moment you cross over into Ladakh.

If you were however carrying a postpaid connection, then your cell phone reception will depend on where you were exactly. It will continue to change as you move from one place to another. At some locations, you will have full connectivity with 4G data. At others, you will be completely off the network. Further details on the same are provided in the article below.

Best Mobile Network in Leh Ladakh

BSNL by far is the best mobile network in Ladakh with the widest coverage. Airtel will be the second-best network followed closely by Jio at third. Vodafone and Idea are next in line but both provide coverage at limited places only.

Also read: 10 Reasons why you should NEVER visit Ladakh

BSNL Network in Ladakh

The thing with a BSNL network is that there will be a slight compromise on voice clarity and data connectivity too will be bad. But you will get coverage at most of the major tourist attractions.

  • If you were carrying a postpaid BSNL network, then you will have full connectivity in Leh City. Data speed will be just about OK. Voice quality too in Leh will be acceptable.
  • With BSNL, you will remain connected at the majority of the places in Nubra valley with an exception of Turtuk and Warshi. At Hunder, Diskit, and Panamik, your phone will work just fine.
  • BSNL will work at Pangong as well but only during morning hours. Do keep in mind though that even if you were able to make a call, your voice will be extremely bad and you will barely understand the other person. On the upside, you will at least be able to send text messages out.
  • At Tso Moriri, your BSNL network will continue to come and go at regular intervals. The last time I was there, I could not make or receive calls but was able to send an SMS.

BSNL prepaid phones do not work in Leh City. It must be a postpaid phone.

Also read: How to Deal with Acute Mountain Sickness in Ladakh

MTNL Network in Ladakh

Since BSNL and MTNL are pretty much the same deal, everything that I mentioned above about BSNL will apply to MTNL connections as well.

Airtel Network in Ladakh

Airtel Network coverage in Ladakh comes second to BSNL only in terms of coverage. But it makes up for the gap by providing better sound quality and faster internet.

  • You will have a full network and 4G internet in Leh City.
  • In Nubra Valley, you will get full connectivity and 4G internet in Hunder and Diskit. Airtel is working like a charm in Turtuk and the homestays also have a good WiFi network.
  • There is no Airtel network at either Pangong or Tso Moriri.
  • Airtel has full connectivity in Kargil with 4G data. As a matter of fact, you will remain connected on the entire stretch between Leh and Kargil. You may lose the network for a while at a few spots but not for long.
  • With Airtel, you can actually hope to get connectivity even in Drass as well.

Surprisingly, Airtel has full connectivity on the Stok Kangri trek as well. You will remain on the network at Stok Base Camp, Manokarma camp, and Stok Kangri Summit.

mobile network in ladakh

Airtel 4g in Ladakh

4G Connectivity on Airtel is available only in Leh city, nowhere else.

Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Turtuk

Jio Connection in Ladakh

Will Jio work in Ladakh? The answer is a definite yes with a few exceptions. Jio network in Ladakh has improved tremendously in the last couple of years. Their coverage is in fact a bit greater than Airtel; with better voice clarity and internet than BSNL.

  • Your Jio phone will have full coverage in Leh City.
  • In Nubra Valley, Jio has already started to provide 3G connectivity in Diskit and Hunder. It does not work beyond that though if you wanted to visit Turtuk as well.
  • There is no Jio connectivity yet at Pangong and Tso Moriri.
  • Jio provides full connectivity in Kargil as well with 4G data.

Vodafone network in Leh Ladakh

Vodafone sadly has not been able to improve its services in Ladakh yet. Its coverage is limited to Leh City only and nowhere else.

Idea network in Leh Ladakh

Same as Ladakh, Idea mobiles too will work in Leh City only; nowhere else in Ladakh.

Apart from the cellular companies, let me also break this information by regions in Leh Ladakh.

Also read: Clothes for Ladakh Trip – What to Pack?

Mobile Network in Nubra Valley

BSNL, Airtel, and Jio will work in Hunder, Diskit, and Panamik. Only BSNL may provide some connectivity at Turtuk but do not count or rely on it. Jio is already providing 3G internet till Hunder and Airtel will start by May. Vodafone and Idea do not work in Nubra Valley.

There is no cell phone connectivity on Agham Shyok road. It is the direct route from Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake in case you were wondering where it is.

Mobile network at Pangong Tso

Only BSNL has coverage at Pangong, but that too is mostly in early morning hours and at some spots only. Voice clarity will not be good and there will be no internet as well. You will however be able to send text messages out.

Your cell phone will go off the network near Sakti as you start climbing up the Chang La Pass. BSNL users will then start to get connectivity after Tangtse and then it will be a “come and go” affair. This however will be limited to only around Spangmik. If you travel towards Man and Merak, expect to be off the network entirely.

Mobile network at Tso Moriri

Same as Pangong Tso, only BSNL phones may get some connectivity at Karzok but that too is highly doubtful. Even if you do get the network, it will continue to keep coming and going and you won’t be able to make any calls as such.

Mobile Network at Hanle and Chushul Route

There is no mobile coverage in Changthang Valley; including Hanle, Umling La, Chushul, Loma, Nyoma, Mahe, and Sumdo. There is no connectivity in Chumathang as well.

BSNL users may get some signal occasionally in Hanle but I wouldn’t count on relying on it. Just assume that you may not get any connectivity at all once you go beyond Spangmik.

Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Tso Moriri

Mobile Network in Sham Valley

There is no cell phone connectivity in Sham Valley irrespective of which network you are on.

Mobile Network in Zanskar Valley

Only BSNL works in Zanskar Valley and that too only in the town of Padum. There is no mobile network available elsewhere in Zanskar Valley.

Mobile network in Jispa

BSNL may work in Jispa but don’t count on it really. The connectivity will mostly be intermittent.

road trip

Mobile network in Keylong

BSNL and Airtel both have connectivity in Keylong.

As you start to drive from Manali, you will lose network somewhere near Rohtang Pass. Vodafone and Idea will not get back on again until Leh.

BSNL, Airtel, and Jio users however can expect to get coverage for a day more around Keylong and Jispa. After that, it is a complete dead zone until Upshi. Once you cross Upshi and start to get closer to Leh City, all phones will jump back on the network.

Also Read: How to Obtain Inner Line Permit for Ladakh

Mobile network in Kargil

BSNL, Airtel, and Jio phones work well in Kargil. Starting from Srinagar, if you were on a postpaid connection, you will have some connectivity until Sonamarg.

Your phone will be dead again until you reach Kargil. In Kargil, BSNL, Airtel, and Jio will provide an excellent network with good voice clarity and 4G data. On the stretch from Kargil to Leh, Airtel will continue to keep come and go at regular intervals.

Cell Phone network in Leh

Mobile network connectivity in Leh is great actually. No matter which network you are on, you will have full coverage. Airtel and Jio both provide 4G internet in Leh City. Vodafone and Idea do not have 4G in Leh yet but their speed is decent enough.

Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Ladakh with Infants or Children 

Mobile Network at Khardung La

Only BSNL works at Khardung La. If you were a Jio or Airtel user, you will lose connectivity but will get it back again as you drive down into Nubra Valley. For BSNL users though, the network will continue to come and go throughout the day from Leh to Nubra Valley; and it will work on the top of Khardung La as well.

How can a foreigner get a mobile network in Ladakh?

Foreigners can get a prepaid Airtel SIM in Leh at the main office that will be activated within several hours. Just bring your passport and a copy of your visa. 4G speeds depend on where in Leh you are but can be upwards of 10-15 Mbps if you’re near a tower.

If you know a local Ladakhi person who will provide you with a copy of their Voter ID card or driver’s license, you can get a prepaid BSNL SIM from the main office near the bus station.

Satellite Phones

Yes, making a call via Satellite phone is also an option in the rural areas, commonly known amongst the locals as DSPT. These are however strictly for emergency purposes only and not for making general calls.

Mobile Network in Leh Ladakh – Conclusion

I think that covers most of the information that you should know in terms of mobile network in Leh Ladakh. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below and I will be happy to answer. You can also follow me on Instagram and chat with me live there or subscribe to my YouTube channel and ask a question there.

Related Articles

62 comments

Raj Gopal September 4, 2023 - 2:25 pm

Hello Mr Khan,

An update that may interest travellers. Airtel is working like a charm in Turtuk and the homestay I’m staying in also has a good WiFi network.

Not sure if you’ve already updated this elsewhere, but thought of letting the fraternity know.

Reply
Vargis.Khan September 5, 2023 - 7:20 am

Thank you Mr. Gopal. I appreciate the update and have added it to the post now

Reply
Gs Thakur December 3, 2022 - 6:40 am

Can I get a dedicated land line connection at Tangtse.

Reply
Subrata Banerjee August 23, 2022 - 4:10 pm

Hii Vargis, this is Subrata Banerjee from west bengal, I am having Vi postpaid connection. In which places may I get network recently. Does Vi improve their network?

Reply
Charlie Sorel July 3, 2022 - 7:20 am

Hi Vargis

Thanks so much for your posts – they are very helpful in planning my Chandigarh to Khardung La solo cycling trip (probably Sep 2023).
You start this article with:
‘The first thing that you should know here is that only postpaid mobile phones work in Ladakh, and in the entire region of Jammu & Kashmir actually.’
But later you say:
‘How can a foreigner get a mobile network in Ladakh?
Foreigners can get a prepaid Airtel SIM in Leh at the main office that will be activated within several hours. Just bring your passport and a copy of your visa. 4G speeds depend on where in Leh you are but can be upwards of 10-15 Mbps if you’re near a tower.’
So I am confused that you start off with ‘… only POSTpaid …’ and finish with ‘… get a PREpaid …’
If I can manage without mobile from probably Rhotang Pass to Leh, and then get the PREpaid Airtel in Leh – how far might I still have mobile coverage on the way back?
As an aside, can you recommend alternative transport to get back to Manali or even Shimla?

Thanks again, Charlie

Reply
Gs Thakur December 3, 2022 - 6:42 am

Can I get a bsnl dedicated land line connection at Tangtse.

Reply
Drishti Mohan May 1, 2023 - 3:32 pm

Thank you so much for such a informative thing very useful

Reply
Vargis.Khan May 4, 2023 - 6:56 am

Thank you Drishti

Reply
Praveen Prakash Ambashta June 25, 2022 - 5:43 am

This was an extremely helpful blog Mr. Khan. Thank you so much.

Reply
Abhishek Bhowmik April 10, 2022 - 6:23 pm

Hi, Thanks for the wonderful coverage in your blogs. Similar to. Foreigners, can Indians too take a airtel. Prepaid sim locally at leh? Is a passport needed or Adhaar will do fine?

Reply
Vargis.Khan April 11, 2022 - 6:46 am

Prepaid doesn’t work in Ladakh. It has to be a postpaid connection

Reply
John Cordell January 7, 2022 - 5:45 pm

Hello Vargis. I am traveling to Leh with a Google Fi Pixel in February. Do you know if Google Fi actually works in the Leh area? they claim to serve India and probably partner with someone but I have my doubts about Google’s marketing. Do you know?

Reply
Chandan Kumar September 17, 2021 - 6:45 am

I want to go in karu military area in leh. Can u suggest which postpaid connection is working there

Reply
Amal August 13, 2021 - 8:55 am

Hi,
Do you know if international postpaid numbers work in Leh?

Reply
Pradeep Pawar July 25, 2021 - 5:41 pm

I il going to leh Ladakh in Aug 2nd week, I have Jio pre paid and Vodafone post paid sim, Jio pre paid is working in Leh Ladakh or Vodafone post paid working ?

Reply
Vargis.Khan July 26, 2021 - 5:56 am

Prepaid phones do not work in Ladakh, only postpaid do

Reply
Alex Joseph July 24, 2021 - 3:13 am

Hi Vargis, thanks a ton, man! Your blogs have answered all the questions I had and then some. Great resource!

Reply
Vargis.Khan July 25, 2021 - 6:44 am

Thank you for taking the time to drop a note Alex

Reply
Ankit Singh July 8, 2021 - 9:06 am

I read the whole blog and it was quite useful. Thanks for the information. There is just one question about which I didn’t get a particular straight answer. I have an Airtel prepaid and my journey to leh is just for 3 days so I don’t find buying a postpaid connection feasible for this short range. Can I find a shop in Leh market which can provide me an Airtel prepaid sim which will work in Leh and Ladakh and how troublesome is the registration process.? Would be grateful if you can answer this. Thanks in advance

Reply
Vargis.Khan July 8, 2021 - 9:37 am

For security reasons, no one is going to lend you a SIM for 3 days Ankit. That is something that only a known person can do. The only other option you have is to connect to whatsapp (or Google Duo) via hotel wifi and use that to make calls and send texts

Reply
Amit prosad June 25, 2021 - 8:39 pm

Sir how is the jio network there in ladakh region is it better than airtel or i go with airtel .?
Thanks in advance

Reply
Vargis.Khan June 27, 2021 - 6:31 pm

They are more or less the same Bhai. Both will work fine

Reply
Amit prosad June 25, 2021 - 8:37 pm

Sir how is the jio network there in ladakh region is it better than airtel or i go with airtel?
Thanks in advance

Reply
hiteshkkk April 2, 2021 - 7:02 pm

Does vowifi work on jio or airtel once we get logged on to hotel’s wifi

Reply
Vargis.Khan April 3, 2021 - 5:03 am

Yes it does

Reply
Abhishek Bhowmik April 10, 2022 - 6:22 pm

Hi, Thanks for the wonderful coverage in your blogs. Similar to. Foreigners, can Indians too take a airtel. Prepaid sim locally at leh? Is a passport needed or Adhaar will do fine?

Reply
Vargis.Khan April 11, 2022 - 6:46 am

Prepaid doesn’t work in Ladakh. It has to be a postpaid connection

Reply
Meet January 3, 2021 - 6:30 am

Hello…i M going to leh in march , if i have jio postpaid connection from ahmedabad gujarat , will it work in Leh nd ladakh ?? I have other option of airtel postpaid too…but noth are bough from gujarat…

Reply
VIVEK KUMAR KUAR April 21, 2021 - 6:35 am

Yes it will work in But very poor Data service by Jio.In laddakh and j and k area airtel is best

Reply
Sameer Sinha September 13, 2020 - 6:20 pm

Vargis Bhai…if I purchase a Airtel/ BSNL postpaid connection in Maharashtra; will it work in leh Ladakh region.

Reply
Vargis.Khan September 14, 2020 - 4:07 pm

Yes Sameer Bhai, it will.

Reply
Subrata Banerjee December 16, 2019 - 4:43 am

Thank you for your cooperation Mr Khan.

Reply
Bijoy Majumdar November 23, 2019 - 9:03 am

in nubra valley……you mentioned airtel postpaid 4g will start around may 2019……. i wanted to know if airtel postpaid 4g sim will work in sumur village, Lakzung.

Reply
Vargis.Khan November 23, 2019 - 12:26 pm

Not yet. Jio has good data connectivity there but Airtel is still work in progress.

Reply
Bijoy Majumdar November 23, 2019 - 6:56 pm

thank you for the information

Reply
Akash Suresh October 28, 2019 - 1:34 am

I have an update here . Vodafone or Idea do not work in Leh city also . No signal absolutely

Reply
Rahul September 30, 2019 - 9:52 am

Hello sir, just wanted to know whether jio prepaid works there or not as i have confirmed with jio cc. They apprised me that both postpaid and prepaid have connectivity in leh. Please confirm. Thanks

Reply
Vargis.Khan September 30, 2019 - 4:51 pm

Hi Rahul Bhai – Yes it does. Jio works very well in Ladakh now.

Reply
Rahul October 1, 2019 - 5:27 am

Sir my no. Is of delhi and its prepaid. Will it work in leh ?

Reply
Vargis.Khan October 1, 2019 - 1:17 pm

No it will not Rahul Bhai

Reply
Rahul October 1, 2019 - 1:30 pm

Thanks a lot Sir ! Highly grateful to you for a timely response.

Vargis.Khan October 1, 2019 - 11:13 pm

You are welcome Bhai !!!

Subrata Banerjee December 15, 2019 - 1:19 pm

Hello Mr Vargis Khan. My Jio sim is prepaid from Kolkata. Will it work in leh or ladakh or kargil? Pls help me.

Reply
Vargis.Khan December 16, 2019 - 12:34 am

Prepaid connections do not work in Ladakh Mr. Banerjee. You will have to get postpaid.

Reply
Subrata Banerjee December 16, 2019 - 4:49 am

Thanks for your cooperation. Airtel postpaid or jio postpaid which one would be the better choice Sir?

Vargis.Khan December 17, 2019 - 2:50 pm

Both are same actually, you can get either of them.

Rahul October 4, 2019 - 3:29 pm

Sir i have purchased a airtel postpaid sim. How is airtel network there ?

Reply
Vargis.Khan October 4, 2019 - 9:38 pm

Airtel is Ok Rahul Bhai. It will work well. It would have been even better if you converted your Jio to postpaid though.

Reply
David Patterson June 30, 2019 - 4:14 pm

Foreigners can get a prepaid Airtel SIM in Leh at the main office that will be activated within several hours. Just bring your passport and a copy of your visa. I’m using mine to type this comment. 4G speeds depend on where in Leh you are but can be upwards of 10-15 Mbps if you’re near a tower.

If you know a local Ladakhi person who will provide you with a copy of their Voter ID card or drivers license, you can get a prepaid BSNL SIM from the main office near the bus station. I was not able to do this myself.

Hope this helps any foreigners reading this post!

Reply
Vargis.Khan June 30, 2019 - 8:54 pm

Thank you for adding this information David, very helpful indeed

Reply
Loh WS July 4, 2019 - 4:13 am

Is it possible to buy the prepaid Airtel SIM from Delhi and use it in Leh town? Will it work in Leh town? Or is it a must to buy the prepaid Airtel SIM in Leh main office for use in Leh town? Likewise, will a prepaid Airtel SIM bought in Leh works in Delhi?

Reply
Vargis.Khan July 4, 2019 - 4:33 pm

Better would be to buy in Leh. It will work in Delhi

Reply
Garima singh June 1, 2019 - 2:59 pm

So which is the best choice bsnl Or airtel so that i can be connected

Reply
Vargis.Khan June 1, 2019 - 7:53 pm

BSNL definitely

Reply
Sandeep Roy May 28, 2019 - 7:15 am

how quickly can i get a prepaid sim in Leh ? i have airtel prepaid and i assume it will not work. also is it true for prepaid jiofi devices? travelling on 1/6.

Reply
Vargis.Khan May 28, 2019 - 12:12 pm

Prepaid SIM does not work anywhere in J&K so you cannot even get one

Reply
Sandeep Roy May 29, 2019 - 9:27 am

is it possible to buy a prepaid sim in Leh ? how long does it take to activate given that i am an out of state resident of India ?

Reply
Gaurav Bhave May 27, 2019 - 5:46 am

Hey. Your every blog is very informative. Thanks. I have a BSNL Prepaid prepaid sim, as per ur blog it wont work there. Writing this to you to know that is there any updates in this? Will prepaid work?

Reply
Vargis.Khan May 27, 2019 - 6:16 am

Prepaid will still not work Gaurav.

Reply
Bharat April 30, 2019 - 6:05 am

Is introduction of Jio network in Ladakh a very recent development? A friend of mine who visited in September 2018 reported that there was no Jio network at that time. Thanks.

Reply
Subrata Maity February 11, 2019 - 8:01 am

Hi
I am going to leh in 1st week of october for 12 days. I am covering all of leh from nubra valley to pangong lake then moving to srinagar via kargil. I have a postpaid airtel number and a bsnl prepaid number. I just want to know is it necessarly to convert my bsnl prepaid number to postpaid in order to stay connected or airtel be just fine.

Reply
Vargis.Khan February 12, 2019 - 12:16 am

I wouldn’t say it is absolutely necessary if you can live without network for a few days without network

Reply

Leave a Comment