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

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.

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.

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.

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.