Telecommunications in Bhutan includes telephones, mobiles, radio, television, and the internet. There is one satellite earth station, Intelsat. Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS), a government owned company, is the first and only television broadcast service in the country. There are five private radio stations that are currently broadcasting. Bhutan Info Communications and Media Authority (BICMA), an autonomous body, is the Communications and Media regulatory body in Bhutan. BICMA exercises control in terms of access to the radiofrequency spectrum and monitoring their usage, licensing of cable TV, broadcast media, printing presses, publications, entertainment licenses, ICT facility and service licenses, issuance of filming permits, review and certification of films and accreditation of journalists.
There are two main telecommunications companies in Bhutan, a state owned, Bhutan Telecom and a private company, Tashicell. Sim cards are easily available upon production of valid documents and data plans are quite reliable and easily available.
For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link:
4.11 Additional Services Contact List
Telephone Services
Is there an existing landline telephone network? Yes
Does it allow international calls? Yes
Number and Length of Downtime Periods (on average) Minimal as most of the maintenance and repair works are carried after midnight.
Mobile Phone Providers Bhutan Telecom and Tashicell
Approximate Percentage of National Coverage 95%
Telecommunications Regulations
Any telecommunications equipment (VSAT, HF, VHF, Thurayas etc.) entering the country needs approval and licence from BICMA. Annual fees need to be paid to BICMA for the frequencies used by UN agencies.
Regulations on Usage and Import
Regulations in Place? Regulating Authority
Satellite Yes BICMA
HF Radio Yes BICMA
UHF/VHF/HF Radio: Handheld, Base and Mobile Yes BICMA
UHF/VHF Repeaters Yes BICMA
GPS NO NA
VSAT Yes BICMA
Individual Network Operator Licenses Required?
Yes, BICMA issues the license.
Frequency Licenses Required?
Yes, BICMA issues the license.
Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems
Most of the humanitarian telecoms systems are located in Thimphu, while HF and VHF radios are fitted in most UN vehicles. Communications equipment is procured, managed and monitored by individual UN agency. Sharing of communication equipment is possible in case is feasible/compatible and there are surplus/excess with other agencies.
Existing UN Telecommunication Systems
UNDP WFP UNFPA WHO UNICEF FAO
VHF Frequencies Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Page 1 HF Frequencies Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Locations of Thimphu Thimphu Thimphu Thimphu Thimphu Thimphu Repeaters
VSAT No Yes No No No No
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
There are two ISP providers in Bhutan which are Bhutan Telecom, a government owned company, and Tashicell, a private company. Both these companies offer a range of lease line, broadband and mobile data at competitive rates. Most business and companies purchase internet connection from these two ISP providers. Both the ISP providers have a bandwidth up to 30 mbps, while 4 G data is available in all 20 Dzongkhags (Districts). With the exception for leased lines (provided through landline by Bhutan Telecome and as WIMAX by Tashicell) all internet services are paid on a volume basis. While recently efforts have been made to upgrade the quality of service, especially during high use hours the actual internet speed consumers can avail off can be limited at times given the country only avails of two gateways.
There are minimal downtimes which are mostly for maintenance and repairs conducted after midnight to avoid inconvenience to the public.
Internet Service Providers
Are there ISPs available? Yes
If yes, are they privately or Both, private as well as government owned. government owned?
Dial-up only? No
Approximate Rates (local Dial-up NA currency and USD - $) Broadb Ranges from BTN 399 (USD 6.3) for 7.6 GB to BTN 2,499 (USD 39) for 51.3 GB data valid for 30 and days only on ADSL with Bhutan Telecom.
Detailed rates for leased lines: Bhutan Telecom (https://www.bt.bt/?page_id=60); Tashicell (https://www .tashicell.com/tariffs/internet-leased-line)
Max Leasable ‘Dedicated’ Up to 30 Mbps [p2] (Bhutan Telecom – microware or fixed line) though higher might be negotiable. Bandwidth Up to 20 Mbps (Tashicel – WIMAX)
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)
Bhutan telecom is the largest mobile network provider in Bhutan with a total 486,000 subscribers and has coverage in all district and sub districts while Tashicell has around 247,000 subscribers and has coverage in all districts but in very few sub-districts. Both operators make efforts to improve quality of service to customers.
For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.
Comp Number of Agent Outlets by Area Network Strength by Area Contracted for Services any Humanitarian or Offered Government Cash Transfer (i.e. Merchant Programmes? Payment,
Bulk Disburse ment,
Receive & Make Payment)
Bhuta Present in all 20 Dzongkhags and small There is 4G network in all district headquarters while 3G network is No No n towns with overall coverage of 95%. present in all other parts, though in more remote areas data speeds Telec often drops to Edge or GSM. om
Tashi Present in all 20 Dzongkhags and 197 There is 4G network only in Phuentsholing, Thimphu and Paro and No No cell (out of 205) sub-districts. Overall other districts have 3G network coverage. coverage is around 75%.
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