Huawei announced plans to build a GSM base station on Mount Everest at an elevation of 6,500 meters or 21,325 feet. The reason for putting a GSM base station on Everest is to provide coverage for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay Team on Mount Everest.

The torch relay team plans to reach the summit in time for the Olympic Games. The GSM station will be placed at an altitude high enough to provide GSM coverage for the base camp on Everest and the main route to the summit of Everest.

Huawei’s new generation of GSM Base Station will be constructed because it is built on 3G and IP technologies and it is equipped with a solar power supply, satellite communications system and Ethernet fiber transmission. The equipment complies with European ROHS standards.

“We are delighted to cooperate with China Mobile to build the highest mobile telecommunication network in the world and to help the 2008 Beijing Olympic Torch Relay Team reach the summit of Everest safely,” stated Mr. Yu Chengdong, President of Huawei Mobile Networks. ”As an industry-leading mobile network equipment supplier, Huawei has a lot of experience in network construction, and the company remains committed to taking mobile networks to ALL-IP FMC.” this announcement means that climbers at the summit of Mount Everest will have access to 3G service, while here in the U.S. 3G is still uncommon.