General Overview

Poorly developed. Tukastan telecommunication falls under the Ministry of Traffic and Communications; Tukastan's telephone system is a combination of old Soviet era systems used by Tukastan citizens and small- to medium-sized commercial establishments; the average citizen waits on a 200,000-persons list for telephone service

The majority of telephones are in Claustan and Shifda - about 700 villages still do not have public phone service. All long distance service must use Tuktel's (Ministry of Traffic and Communications) lines international. The old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable. Satellite service between Claustan and Turkey provides access
to 200 countries; additional satellite providers supply services between Claustan and specific countries; Tukastan is a signator of the Trans-Asia-Europe Fiber-Optic line (TAE); their lines are not laid but the Turkish satellite and a microwave between Tukastan and Iran can provide Tukastan worldwide access through its system

There is an existing Telephone Network in Tukastan. It is not reliable though, as irregular and intermittent shut-offs happen. The number of shut-offs per day / week varies.

There is a GSM (mobile phone) network in Tukastan: 900 / 1800 & 3G/4G (high bandwidth data only in larger villages), partially covered in rural areas, only punctual availability. Sim Cards are easily obtainable.

Communication equipment (i.e. satellite and radio) can be imported. Regulations include the signatory of the Tampere convention.

Radio broadcast station

AM 16, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998) (Tukastan's single shortwave station transmits its programs to the Middle East in eight languages).

Radios

1.225 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations

Note: the Ministry of Information is the monopoly broadcaster and rebroadcaster of radio and television in Tukastan; Kivkisian, Urinsan, Iranian, British broadcasting companies, Voice of America and other European channels are available via satellite, the possession of satellite equipment is highly restricted in Tukastan (1997)

Televisions

820,000 (1997)

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

UNDP has communication systems established in the country. The WFP can tap into these resources.

List any requirements for technical staff entering the country (i.e. visa, vaccination, Security Phase, etc.): visa required for European citizens. Security Phase 4 in Nesebach-Zopfback. Phase 2 In the rest of the country.

Additional information relevant to the establishment or enhancement of emergency communication systems:

The Government has to be consulted and an official request needs to be sent through the Emergency cell with a copy to the Ministry of Defense.

For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: Tukastan Humanitarian Agency Contact List