View source for Telecommunications in Mongolia

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'''Telecommunications in [[Mongolia]]''' face unique challenges. As the least densely populated country in the world, with a significant portion of the population living a nomadic lifestyle, it has been difficult for many traditional [[information and communication technology]] (ICT) companies to make headway into [[Mongolia]]n society. With almost half the population clustered in the capital of [[Ulaanbaatar]], most landline technologies are deployed there. Wireless technologies have had greater success in rural areas.

Mobile phones are common, with [[Provinces of Mongolia|provincial capital]]s all having [[4G]] access. [[Wireless local loop]] is another technology that has helped Mongolia increase accessibility to telecommunications and bypass fixed-line infrastructure. For Internet, Mongolia relies on [[optical fibers|fiber optic]] communications with its Chinese and Russian neighbors. In 2005, Mongolia's state-run radio and TV provider converted to a public service provider. Private radio and TV broadcasters, multi-channel satellite, and [[Cable television|cable TV]] providers are also available.<ref name="cia-fb-2013" />

==Telecommunications infrastructure==
Telecommunications network is improving with international direct dialing available in many areas. A fiber-optic network has been installed that is improving broadband and communication services between major urban centers with multiple companies providing inter-city fiber-optic cable services.<ref name="cia-fb-2013" />
* 7 satellite earth station: [[Intersputnik]] (Indian Ocean Region), [[Intelsat]], [[Asiasat]]-1.<ref name="cia-fb-2013" />{{sfnp|Pûrevsambuu|2006|p=95}}
* International overland: [[ERMC (cable system)|Europe-Russia-Mongolia-China (ERMC)]] cable system.

==Telephones==
* 385,000 fixed lines in use, 102nd in the world (2019 estimate).<ref name="cia-fb-2013" />
* 4.3 million mobile-cellular lines in use, 127th in the world (2019 estimate).<ref name="cia-fb-2013" />
* International dialing code: +976.<ref name="cia-fb-2013" />

There are two landline telephone companies in Mongolia: [[Mongolia Telecom Company]] (MTC) and the Mongolian Railway Authority.{{sfnp|Pûrevsambuu|2006|p=94}} MTC is a joint venture with [[Korea Telecom]] and partially publicly owned. MTC leases [[optical fiber|fiber-optic]] lines from the Mongolian Railway Authority and connects to all [[aimags]] and soums. The number of fixed-line phones in Mongolia is slowly decreasing. The majority of MTC subscribers are in Ulaanbaatar.<ref name="itconsulting.mn">{{cite report |date=2006 |title=Information and Communications Technology Development in Mongolia |url=http://www.itconsulting.mn/publications/index.htm |publisher=InTeC Co.Ltd and MIDAS |format=[[White paper]] |access-date=20 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607035323/http://www.itconsulting.mn/publications/index.htm |archive-date=7 June 2008}}</ref>

Mobile phones are very popular in the city as well as the countryside with 1.5 million active mobile social users in January 2017.<ref name="NSO" /> Especially in the countryside, the government is preferring the installation of cell phone base stations over laying land lines, as cell phone base stations are easier to install. Mongolia's Communication Authority has announced a plan to connect all [[sums of Mongolia|sum center]] and a number of other settlements to cell phone services.<ref name="ubpost" /> Since 2012 the country is covered by 3G services.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Report: Mongolia 2014 |publisher=Oxford Business Group |year=2014 |url=https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/mongolia-2014 |page=172}}</ref> The biggest problem of phone usage in rural parts of the country was the poor reception since in some areas getting the mobile signal required climbing on the highest mountain top in the neighbourhood or on the top of the horse on some hill.<ref name="solutions" /> But with the plan of Communications Regulatory Commission of Mongolia that will allow the nationwide introduction of 4G mobile Internet technologies by approving licenses to use radio spectrum for 4G LTE service to [[Mobicom Corporation]], [[Unitel (Mongolia)|Unitel]], [[Skytel (Mongolia)|Skytel]] according to the first commission meeting in 2016<ref name="LTE" /> this problem should be resolved. It will also help parents for whom mobile phones are the only way to stay in touch with their children attending boarding schools in the cities.<ref name="nomads" />

;Mobile operators
*[[Unitel (Mongolia)|Unitel]] (GSM)- The No.1 ICT group in Mongolia who have the first and nationwide 3G/4G/5G network.
*[[G-Mobile]] (CDMA) – Established in 2007, it is focusing on development in rural areas
*[[Mobicom Corporation]] (GSM) – The first mobile operator.{{sfnp|Pûrevsambuu|2006|p=95}}
*[[Skytel (Mongolia)|Skytel]] (CDMA){{sfnp|Pûrevsambuu|2006|p=96}}
*[[ONDO]] 5th Competitor in telecommunications 
 service resembling that of landlines, but uses technology similar to mobile phones. There are currently five licensed WLL providers, though there only appear to be three companies actually offering service.

;WLL providers
*[[Mongolia Telecom Company]]: WLL project a joint venture with LG Electronics Company of South Korea, 8,768 users, covers Darkhan, Erdenet, Nalaikh, Choibalsan, and Ulanbaatar. It also provides 450&nbsp;MHz coverage in the following aimags: Orkhon, Darkhan Uul, Dornod, Arkhangai, Bayan-Ulgii, Bulgan, Hovd, Huvsgul, Zavkhan, and Uvs.
*[[Mobicom]]: Covers Ulaanbaatar and areas near the city, 13,400 users.
*[[Skytel (Mongolia)|Skytel]]: Covers Ulaanbaatar and rural Mongolia (area not specified), and has 22,000 users.<ref name="itconsulting.mn"/>

==Radio==
{{As of|2008}}, more than 100 radio stations, including some 20 via repeaters for the public broadcaster as well as transmissions by multiple international broadcasters were available.<ref name="cia-fb-2013" /> {{As of|1997}}, there were 360,000 radios.

[[Ulaanbaatar]] has 20 FM stations, including foreign radio stations [[BBC World Service]], [[VOA]], and Inner Mongolian Radio. In the whole country there are 5 longwave broadcasting stations, the most powerful at Ulaanbaatar with 1000 KW.

==Television==
Mongolian TV Broadcasting started on 27 September 1967 with the start of Mongolian National Television.
* Television sets: 118,000 (1997)

===Television providers===
;Stations/Channels
* [[Mongolian National Broadcaster]], the official, state-funded television channel in Mongolia.
* [[Premier Sports Network (Mongolia)|Premier Sports Network]] (PSN, dominant subscription television sports brand in Mongolia.)
* [[C1 Television|C1]]
* [[Channel 25 (Mongolia)|Channel 25]]
* [[Eagle TV]]
* [[Edutainment TV]] (Боловсрол суваг)
* [[ETV (Mongolia)|ETV]] 
* [[Mongol HD TV|Mongol TV]], first HD TV, New Mongol TV
* [[NTV (Mongolia)|NTV]]
* [[Supervision Broadcasting Network|SBN]]
* [[TV5 Mongolia|TV5]]
* [[TV8 (Mongolia)|TV8]]
* [[TV9 (Mongolia)|TV9]]
* [[Ulaanbaatar Broadcasting System]] (UBS)

;Satellite television
* [[DDishTV LLC]], broadcasts major Mongolian channels and some international channels throughout the whole of Mongolia and to other Asian countries via [[Ku-Band]] Satellite. For that service it is necessary to have a dish and special box.
* Mongolsat

;Cable television
* [[DDishTV LLC]]
* MNBC CaTV
* Sansar CaTV – ''Space''

;Internet Protocol television (IPTV)
* Univision IPTV
* LookTV IPTV
* Homemedia IPTV
* Skymedia IPTV
* VOO IPTV

==Internet==
The Internet, established in 1995 in Mongolia,<ref name="pr">{{cite web |url=http://www.pressreference.com/Ma-No/Mongolia.html |title=Mongolia: Basic Data |website=Press Reference |access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref> has begun making a significant impact, with 83.0% of the population having access to it as of 2025.<ref name=":1" /> Mongolia is the most sparsely [[Population|populated]] independent country in the world, which is a serious constraint to country-wide Internet deployment.<ref name="UNPD" /> While much of the country remains pastoral with countryside residents dependent on herding and agriculture, Internet access is widely available to urban populations.<ref name="CROHRP-Mongolia-2012" /> There has been steady online growth in [[online newspapers]], magazines and advertising.<ref name="baner">{{cite book |last1=Banerjee |first1=Indrajit |last2=Logan |first2=Stephen |date=2008 |title=Asian Communication Handbook |location=Singapore |publisher=Asian Media Information and Communication Centre |isbn=978-981-4136-10-5}}</ref> The poor access to the Internet in the countryside has been a reason behind designating Mongolian countryside as a digital detox location for the tech-tired tourists.<ref name="destinations" />
* Internet users: 2,900,000 users; 83.0% of the population (2025).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Digital 2025: Mongolia|url=https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2025-mongolia|access-date=2025-10-04|website=DataReportal – Global Digital Insights|date=3 March 2025 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* Fixed broadband: 115,561 subscriptions, 98th in the world; 3.6% of the population, 114th in the world (2012).<ref name="FixedBroadbandITUDynamic2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ICTEYE/Reporting/DynamicReportWizard.aspx |title=Fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants 2012 |website=International Telecommunication Union |access-date=29 June 2013 |archive-date=26 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726064920/http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ICTEYE/Reporting/DynamicReportWizard.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Mobile broadband: 848,391 subscriptions, 75th in the world; 26.7% of the population, 61st in the world (2012).<ref name="MobleBroadbandITUDynamic2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ICTEYE/Reporting/DynamicReportWizard.aspx |title=Active mobile-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants 2012 |website=International Telecommunication Union |access-date=29 June 2013 |archive-date=26 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726064920/http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ICTEYE/Reporting/DynamicReportWizard.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Internet hosts: 20,084 hosts, 118th in the world (2012).<ref name="cia-fb-2013">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/mongolia/ |chapter=Mongolia Communications |title=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |access-date=31 October 2013}}</ref>
* The [[top level domain]] of Mongolia is "[[.mn]]".<ref name="cia-fb-2013" />

===Internet service providers (ISPs)===
;Wholesale providers
*[[Information Communications Network LLC|Information Communications Network LLC /NETCOM/]]
*Gemnet LLC
*Mobicom Networks LLC
*MT Networks
*Unitel
*Skytel

;Retail providers
*Mongolia Telecom Company
*Univision[MCSCom]
*Boldsoft
*Digicom (FTTB)
*Mobinet
*Magicnet
*Micom
*Bodicom
*Skymedia[SkyC&C]
*Yokozunanet
*Citinet
*HOMENET
*G-mobilenet

;Satellite providers
*[[DDishTV LLC]], provides [[VSAT]] Internet connections, especially in rural area of Mongolia.
*Incomnet LLC,<ref name="incomnet" /> provides data communications network services throughout Mongolia, as well as [[satellite telephone]] call and [[satellite Internet]] services in remote areas since its establishment in 2001.
*Isatcom LLC,<ref name="isatcom" /> national satellite provider in Mongolia, provides [[VSAT]] Internet connections, VPN network for organizations in rural areas of Mongolia, since its establishment in 2004. Also involved in the sale of solar energy equipment.

===Internet initiatives===
Citizens Information Service Centers (CISC) have been established in Ulaanbataar and six Aimags that are equipped to allow nomadic rural populations to receive internet access.<ref name="it4dev" />

Many [[libraries]] and [[Education|schools]] provide internet access, including some mobile providers that travel between rural populations.

The [[Asian Development Bank]] has an initiative to develop ICT technologies to "boost access to high-quality education for disadvantaged and remote populations in Mongolia, through a grant assistance approved for US$1 million."<ref name="adb" /> The goal is to take advantage of newer technologies to improve access to information for about 10,000 students at 36 schools.

===Internet censorship and surveillance===
There are no government restrictions on access to the Internet. The criminal code and constitution prohibit arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home, or correspondence, however, there are reports of government [[surveillance]], [[wiretapping]], and [[Computer surveillance|e-mail account monitoring]]. Individuals and groups engage in the peaceful expression of views via the Internet, including by e-mail. [[Defamation]] laws carrying civil and criminal penalties severely impede criticism of government officials.<ref name="CROHRP-Mongolia-2012">{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=204222 |title=Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012: Mongolia |date=15 August 2013 |website=Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. Department of State |access-date=31 October 2013}}</ref> Moreover, in 2014 the Mongolian Telecommunications Regulatory Commission has published a list of up to 774 words and phrases, use of which is prohibited on local websites.<ref name="observer" />

Censorship of public information is banned under the 1998 Media Freedom Law, but a 1995 state secrets law severely limits access to government information. After an eight-year campaign by activists, the parliament passed the Law on Information Transparency and Right to Information in June 2011, with the legislation taking effect in December 2011. Internet users remain concerned about a February 2011 regulation, the "General Conditions and Requirements on Digital Content", by the Communications Regulatory Commission (CRC) that restricts obscene and inappropriate content without explicitly defining it and requires popular websites to make their users' IP addresses publicly visible. The production, sale, or display of all pornography is illegal and carries a penalty of up to three months in prison.<ref name="FH-FOTP-Mongolia-2013">{{cite web|date=2013|title=Mongolia: Freedom of the Press|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2013/mongolia|access-date=31 October 2013|website=[[Freedom House]]}}</ref><ref name="CROHRP-Mongolia-2012" />

While there is no official censorship by the government, journalists frequently complain of harassment and intimidation.<ref name="FH-FOTP-Mongolia-2013" />

==Post==
[[Mongol Post]] is the state-owned postal service of Mongolia.

==See also==
* [[Telephone numbers in Mongolia]]

==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="NSO">{{Cite web |url=http://www.en.nso.mn/content/190 |title=Social and economic situation of Mongolia (as of February 2017) |date=14 March 2017 |website=National Statistics Office of Mongolia |access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref>
<ref name="ubpost">{{cite news |url=http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1910&Itemid=36 |title=Phone Plan to Connect Remote Populations |newspaper=[[UB Post]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407010427/http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1910&Itemid=36 |archive-date=April 7, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="solutions">{{Cite journal |url=https://www.thesolutionsjournal.com/article/mongolias-nomadic-weather-readers/ |title=Mongolia's Nomadic Weather Readers |journal=The Solutions Journal |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=30–33 |date=January 2013 |last1=Vernooy |first1=Ronnie |last2=Ykhanbai |first2=Hijaba |last3=Tsogt |first3=Jamba |access-date=17 March 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref>
<ref name="LTE">{{Cite news |url=http://www.crc.gov.mn/en/k/2lE/1h |title=4G-LTE service in Mongolia |website=Communications Regulatory Commission of Mongolia |access-date=17 March 2017 |archive-date=19 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219225653/http://www.crc.gov.mn/en/k/2lE/1H |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="nomads">{{Cite magazine |url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/10/mongolia-nomads-in-transition/?img=2#postImage |title=Mongolia: Nomads in Transition |last=Reyes |first=Hannah |date=16 October 2014 |magazine=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]] |access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref>
<ref name="UNPD">{{cite web |author=United Nations Population Division |title=The World at Six Billion |url=https://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/sixbillion/sixbilpart3.pdf |publisher=[[United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs]] |date=12 October 1999 |access-date=16 June 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="destinations">{{Cite web |url=http://www.businessdestinations.com/destinations/mongolias-digital-detox/ |title=Mongolia's digital detox |date=22 February 2017 |first=Emily |last=Cashen |website=Business Destinations.com |access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref>
<ref name="incomnet">{{cite web |url=http://www.incomnet.mn/en |title=Incomnet |website=Information Communication Networks |access-date=31 October 2013 |archive-date=26 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926080428/http://incomnet.mn/en |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="isatcom">{{cite web |url=http://www.isatcom.mn/en |title=Visit our website |website=Isatcom }}</ref>
<ref name="it4dev">{{cite web |url=http://www.it4dev.net/media_articles/mongolia.htm |title=Surfing the Internet from a 'Ger'? |author=Bayasgalan |website=IT4Dev.net |access-date=19 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704124726/http://www.it4dev.net/media_articles/mongolia.htm |archive-date=4 July 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="adb">{{cite web |url=http://www.adb.org/Media/Articles/2004/5422_Mongolia_ICT_for_better_rural_education/ |title=Using ICT to Improve Rural Education in Mongolia |date=14 July 2004 |website=Asian Development Bank |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122005302/http://www.adb.org/Media/Articles/2004/5422_Mongolia_ICT_for_better_rural_education/ |archive-date=22 November 2008 |access-date=6 July 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="observer">{{Cite web |url=http://observer.com/2014/03/mongolian-government-bans-774-phrases-from-internet-including-asshat-and-male-genitalia/ |title=Mongolian Government Bans 774 Phrases from Internet Including 'Asshat' and 'Male Genitalia' |first=Jordyn |last=Taylor |date=20 March 2014 |website=[[New York Observer]] |access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref>
}}
;Bibliography
* {{cite book |last=Pûrevsambuu |first=Givaandondogijn |date=2006 |title=Mongolia |location=Ulanbaatar |publisher=Montsame News Agency |isbn=99929-0-627-8}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite web |url=http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/ni/wsisbridges/linked_docs/presentations/Amaraa-emongolia.pdf |title=Public Access to Information, Mongolia's Situation Analysis |last=Dorjderem |first=Amarbayasgalan |date=2005 |website=Science, Communication & Information Section Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.adbi.org/files/2006.02.dp42.ict.microfinance.mongolia.pdf |title=Information and Communication Technology and Microfinance: Options for Mongolia |last=Hishigsuren |first=Gaamaa |date=February 2006 |website=ADB Institute Discussion Paper No. 42}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.gateway.mn/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2137 |title=Concept of Information and Communication Technology Development of Mongolia by Year 2010 |date=2003 |website=Mongolia Development Gateway}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.american.edu/initeb/dp6120a/html/it_landscape_of_mongolia_-_t.html |title=Telecommunication Infrastructure and Regulation |website=Information Technology Landscape in Mongolia |last=Park |first=Daniel H. |date=2003 |publisher=American University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407065436/http://www.american.edu/initeb/dp6120a/html/it_landscape_of_mongolia_-_t.html |archive-date=7 April 2008}}
*Odkhuu Tsolmondelger (2020).  [https://www.unescap.org/resources/research-report-ict-infrastructure-co-deployment-transport-and-energy-infrastructures# Research Report on ICT infrastructure Co-deployment with Transport and Energy Infrastructures in Mongolia]. ESCAP  Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division. 

==External links==
* [http://www.mtcone.net/ Telecom Mongolia], the national telecommunications company.
*[[Information Communications Network LLC]], national fiber optic backbone network provider.
* [http://www.incomnet.mn/ Incomnet LLC], the national satellite communications company.
{{Asia topic|Telecommunications in}}
{{Internet censorship by country}}
{{Mongolia topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Telecommunications In Mongolia}}
[[Category:Communications in Mongolia| ]]
[[Category:Telecommunications by country|Mongolia]]
[[Category:Internet in Mongolia|Mongolia]]
[[Category:Telecommunications in Asia by country|Mongolia]]