Mobile Network and Internet in Meghalaya: Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki and Nongriat (2026)
Where your phone works in Meghalaya and where it doesn't: Shillong, Cherrapunji, Nongriat, Dawki, Mawlynnong and Wari Chora. Plus the Bangladesh-border roaming trap.
Mobile network in Meghalaya is good in Shillong and the main towns, and weak in the deep valleys and border villages. You'll have fast 4G (and 5G in parts of Shillong) on Jio and Airtel in the city, decent signal in Cherrapunji town, and patchy or no signal at places like Nongriat, Krang Suri and Wari Chora.
There's one trap that catches many visitors. Near Dawki and the Bangladesh border, your phone can latch on to a Bangladeshi network. If data roaming is on, that can mean international roaming charges. This guide covers network place by place, the roaming issue, and how to plan around the gaps.
Network by place
Based on traveller and driver reports in 2026. Coverage changes as towers are added, so treat this as a guide.
| Place | Calls | Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guwahati to Shillong | Good | Good | Full 4G along the highway |
| Shillong and Police Bazar | Very good | Very good, 4G and some 5G | Best connectivity in the state |
| Umiam Lake | Good | Good | |
| Laitlum Canyons | Fair | Fair | Drops at the bottom of the trails |
| Cherrapunji (Sohra) town | Good | Fair to good | Heavy rain and fog can slow data |
| Tyrna, the start of the Nongriat trek | Fair | Fair | Last reliable signal before the descent |
| Nongriat and the double-decker bridge | Weak | Weak or none | Plan to be offline. Message family before you go down |
| Mawlynnong | Fair | Fair | |
| Dawki and Umngot river | Fair | Fair | Phones may pick up Bangladeshi networks |
| Shnongpdeng | Fair | Weak to fair | Weaker at riverside camps |
| Krang Suri Falls | Weak | Weak | Valley location |
| Mawsynram | Fair | Fair | |
| Kongthong | Weak | Weak | Remote village |
| Wari Chora (Garo Hills) | Weak | Usually none | Very remote. Carry everything you need |
The Dawki roaming trap
Dawki sits right on the India–Bangladesh border, and stretches of the Umngot river form the border itself. Bangladeshi towers are close, so your phone can switch to a Bangladeshi network without you noticing, especially if the Indian signal is weak.
To avoid surprise roaming charges:
- Turn off data roaming in your phone settings before you reach Dawki.
- Or set network selection to manual and pick your Indian network.
- Check the network name at the top of your screen before making calls.
- If you see a welcome SMS from a foreign network, switch back right away.
Remember too that the Bangladesh side is a different country. Don't step on to the far bank or cross the white border markers at Tamabil, however close they look.
Nongriat and the root bridges: planning to be offline
The trek down to the double-decker root bridge at Nongriat is about 3,500 steps from Tyrna. Most visitors find little or no signal at the bottom. If you stay overnight in a Nongriat homestay, you may be offline until you climb back up.
- Message family your plan from Tyrna or Cherrapunji before you start.
- Carry cash for homestays and snacks. UPI often won't work at the bottom.
- Download offline maps and keep your torch charged. It gets dark early in the valley.
Read our guide to the living root bridges of Meghalaya for the trek itself.
Can you work remotely from Meghalaya?
Shillong is the one place where remote work is realistic. Cafés and hotels around Police Bazar and Laitumkhrah have reasonable Wi-Fi, and phone data is fast. Cherrapunji works for light use if you have a second SIM as backup. Outside those, don't plan calls. Power cuts happen in heavy rain, so carry a power bank.
More tips
- Use two SIMs from different networks. When one drops, the other may hold.
- Download your hotel bookings and tickets. You may need them where there's no signal.
- Save your driver's number. In foggy Cherrapunji and at busy spots like Dawki, it's easy to lose each other in the parking area.
- Carry cash. Entry fees, boat rides at Dawki and village parking are often cash only.
For more planning, see travel mistakes to avoid in Meghalaya and our Meghalaya packing list. If you'd rather leave the planning to us, our Meghalaya tour packages include a local driver who knows the roads.
Helpful Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Jio work in Cherrapunji?
Yes, Jio works in Cherrapunji (Sohra) town. It gets weaker at viewpoints in deep valleys, and there's little or no signal at Nongriat's double-decker root bridge.
Is there network in Dawki?
Yes, Indian networks work in Dawki, but phones sometimes switch to Bangladeshi networks near the border. Turn off data roaming or set your network to manual to avoid international roaming charges.
Is there mobile network at Nongriat?
Usually very weak or none. Message family before you start the descent from Tyrna and carry cash.
Which SIM works best in Meghalaya?
Jio has the widest coverage, with Airtel a close second. Carrying both gives you the best chance of a signal outside Shillong.
Does UPI work in Meghalaya?
In Shillong and most towns, yes. At villages, boat ghats, waterfalls and homestays, carry cash in case there's no signal.
Plan This Journey
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