Connecting Bhutan, truly

31 August 2009

Come February 2011, and all the gewogs in Bhutan will be connected with mobile cellular communication services. Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) has disbursed Nu 188.385 million from its universal service fund (USF), to the two telecom operators in Bhutan to connect the designated rural and remote areas on a cost-sharing basis.

The head of telecommunication at BICMA, Wangay Dorji, said the project was undertaken to make communication accessible to communities irrespective of their location.

He said most of the villages are expected to be covered by the network when the project is completed.

Those that are not covered in the first phase will be covered in the second phase.

Bhutan Telecom will cover 28 gewogs and communities in 10 dzongkhags. The cost of the project is Nu 282.50 million. Bhutan telecom has received Nu 141.25 million from BICMA’s USF and it will invest 141.25 million.

Places like Merak, Sakteng, Lunana, Laya, Soe, Naro, and Lingzhi will be covered by Bhutan Telecom.

Tashi Infocomm Limited will cover 13 gewogs and communities in seven dzongkhags. It has received Nu 47.135 million from USF. It will invest Nu 20.555 million for the 67.69 million project. Dumtoe, Sombaykha, Gakiling, Pasha, among others, will be covered by Tashi Infocomm.

According to BICMA, the contract comes into effect from September this year, and the work will be completed in 18 months. Bhutan Telecom’s B-Mobile covers all the dzongkhags and most of the gewogs.

Tashi Infocomm’s Tashi Cell network is available in Thimphu, Paro, Haa, Punakha, Wangdue, Chukha, and Samtse. The company is expected to go nationwide by 2011. Besides the rural communication programme, BICMA has also released Nu 1.45 million to Bhutan Telecom for establishing internet transmission links to Gasa and Dagana dzongkhags and setting up of internet Point-of-Presence (PoP) in these dzongkhags.

The dzongkhags were connected to broadband this month. BICMA funded the cost for the transmission equipment for establishment of link and Bhutan Telecom spent on the cost of installation, PoP equipment and shipping.

Meanwhile, by the end of this year, all the government and private higher secondary schools around the country will be connected with internet lease line.

BICMA will finance equipment for lease line and Bhutan Telecom will spend on procurement, free configuration and installation of lease lines.

By Rabi C Dahal

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