Mobile Internet in Tibet

Question

Hi, this spring I'm going to travel three weeks trough Tibet. Since I want to stay connected to my home without being blocked by the Great Firewall, I seem to have two options: Either using a VPN, what might or might not work or using an international pre-paid SIM-card for my phone and use data roaming.

The latter of course only works, if there is decent mobile network coverage in Tibet. Does anyone have experience with mobile internet in Tibet? Is there a huge difference between the signal quality between the three large companies (China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom)?

I did find some information on the internet in Tibet, but that information is a few years old and basically tells, that huge investments are being made. Unfortunatlely it is hard to find any recent information. Can anyone please tell me more about the current situation?

Answer

Mobile internet in Tibet has improved over recent years, but it is still inconsistent in many remote areas. Major cities such as Lhasa, Shigatse, and Nyingchi generally have good 4G coverage, and you can use data reasonably well for messaging, maps, and browsing. However, in rural areas, high-altitude passes, and along certain highways, signal can be intermittent or completely absent.

Regarding mobile operators:

China Mobile: Often has the widest coverage in Tibet, including some remote highways and smaller towns. Most travelers prefer it for reliability.
China Unicom: Coverage is decent in cities but can be weaker in rural or mountainous areas compared to China Mobile.
China Telecom: Focuses more on eastern Tibet and urban centers. Its network is improving but is still patchy in some regions.

For international travelers, using a Chinese SIM card with a local provider is recommended over relying on international roaming, as data roaming can be very expensive and may not always work in remote areas. Once you have a Chinese SIM, you can install a VPN to bypass the Great Firewall, but note that VPNs may not always be reliable or fast in Tibet due to network restrictions and altitude-related connectivity issues.

Other practical tips:

Buy your SIM card in major cities like Lhasa, where staff can help set it up and top up data packages.
Consider purchasing a SIM with China Mobile for the most consistent coverage.
Download offline maps and essential content before traveling to remote areas, as signal can be weak or nonexistent.
Be prepared for slower speeds and occasional disruptions even in areas with coverage.

In summary, mobile internet in Tibet works best in cities and towns, with China Mobile offering the most reliable coverage. For rural travel, plan for offline use and expect occasional connectivity gaps. Combining a local SIM with an occasional VPN can help you stay connected, but don’t rely on it for critical communications in remote areas.

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