Mobile phones have considerably shrunk the distance between the tundra and the city. However, in most tundra camps there is no signal and these things are carried along just in case. Nearer to settlements, signal strength is improved by finding the highest spot during the daily migration. Phones give an opportunity to trade meat, fish and antlers more efficiently as well as to find friends who happen to have a connected phone. When not in the network, a phone serves as a music player or a gaming device. As with all other technologies, suddenly people depend on charging opportunities and topping up their phone cards. Also, a new cycle of consumerism has emerged as smarter phones are desired.
After half an hour or so, a reindeer caravan needs to take a breath before moving on to the next campsite. This is the moment when one checks whether the network is available for calls to be made.
When a need arises it is common to drive a reindeer harness a dozen or more kilometres to a triangulation tower erected on a higher spot and where there is at least a faint mobile signal.
When on the fringe of a coverage area many use the opportunity to contact relatives who have settled in the city to learn the latest news.
A phone call enables the herder to know how many kilograms of reindeer meat could be sold. This helps to travel less and thus optimise time and energy.
Some incredibly nice pictures allying traditional way of life and new possibilities... The worldview of today's reindeer herders is more diversifies than the one of their predecessors!