If it is indeed true, the Mi 9 Lite should be priced in the same range as the Mi CC9, barring the differences of taxes and duties. Xiaomi Mi CC9 price in China has been set at CNY 1,799 for the 6GB RAM + 64GB storage option, and CNY 1,999  for the 6GB RAM + 128GB storage model. It was made available in Dark Blue Planet, Dark Night Prince, and White Lover colour options.

Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite aka Mi CC9 specifications

As for the specifications, the Mi 9 Lite should come with identical specifications as the Mi CC9 if any of these rumours are true. It will run on Android Pie-based MIUI 10, feature a 6.39-inch full-HD+ (1080x2340 pixels) AMOLED display, Snapdragon 710 SoC, a triple rear camera setup with a 48-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle sensor, and another 2-megapixel sensor for depth of field. As mentioned, the phone is equipped with a 32-megapixel selfie camera as well. It should come packing a 4,030mAh battery with 18W fast charging.

Telecom operator Ncell has begun preparations to bring satellite-based connectivity to areas of Rasuwa still cut off from mobile service following the devastating Bhotekoshi floods. The initiative aims to reconnect communities that have had no telecom access since the disaster struck.

To get the necessary equipment into the affected region, Ncell is arranging chartered flights, since ground access to several of the hardest-hit areas remains difficult. Technical teams are being sent alongside the equipment to begin setup as soon as it arrives on site.

According to the company, roughly 20 locations across Rasuwa remain without any telecom coverage. Ncell has indicated that further details about how the satellite service will be rolled out are expected within the next few days.

The scale of the damage has been significant. The floods destroyed more than 60 kilometers of Ncell's fiber-optic links and knocked out 27 mobile towers spread across Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and Dhading districts. Of those, 24 sites have already been brought back online as repair crews continue working through the affected areas.

Ncell says its technical staff are continuing repair and restoration work around the clock as the company works to bring full connectivity back to the region.