Mountaineers who climb the Mount Kilimanjaro can now document their climbs in real time on Instagram, following a recent move by Tanzanian authorities to install high-speed internet on the mountain slopes.
Mount Kilimanjaro is in northern Tanzania and is the highest peak in Africa at over 19,000 feet (almost 5,900 meters).
The broadband service was created by Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation and launched on Tuesday (16), said the Ministry of Information.
“Today on Mount Kilimanjaro: I am hoisting high speed INTERNET (BROADBAND) on TOP OF AFRICA. Tourists can now communicate across the world from the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. LET’S GO TO THE UHURU PEAK 5880 meters above sea level!” tweeted Nape Moses Nnauye, Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Communication and Information Technology.
Nnauye said it is not safe for tourists to navigate the mountain without an internet connection.
Technology now plays a huge role in mountaineering.
In addition to the excitement of uploading climbs to social media in real-time, experts have found that internet connectivity is helpful in improving climbers’ awareness and helping guide their climbs.
Climbers of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, already have Wi-Fi services at base camp.
“Previously, it was a bit dangerous for visitors and porters who had to operate without internet” on Mount Kilimanjaro, Nnauye said, adding that internet service will be extended to the summit of the mountain by the end of the year, AFP reported.
Kilimanjaro National Park, which is home to the massive peak, is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site and provides a portion of Tanzania’s tourism revenue.
Thousands of adventurers climb Kilimanjaro every year, with many trying to reach the summit, according to a popular guide service.
The deployment of internet services on Mount Kilimanjaro was welcomed by Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian.
China is jointly funding the Tanzanian government’s efforts to provide broader access to ICT infrastructure.
Source: CNN Brasil
