| More Bandwidth For Bhutan |
| Written by Dave Burstein |
“Your current bandwidth reading is 953.60kbps” the speedtest at Bhutan Telecom informs me. That's not bad from New York, and is likely to get better with the new deal with Bharti for  international connectivity. Bhutan has DSL in Thimphu, Phuentsholing, Damphu, Kanglung, and a dozen other cities. Bhutan Telecom serves Trongsa, population 2,300, while many U.S. carriers don't serve all towns that size. The base price is reasonable at $8-$20, but that's for 256K down. 1 meg down costs $40.
Minister Lyonpo Nandalal Rai writes "It is heartening to know that people from across the world are showing interest in our developmental program. So it is definitely becoming a 'Global Village' in which we care for each other. We are from the 'Land of Gross National Happiness.' Our National Broadband programe will be completed by first quarter 2011. At the moment broadband connectivity is about 50-60% with about 98% reliability. Now with the agreement with Bharti Airtel we hope to achieve 99.99%. We are planning and working towards Universal Connectivity by 2011 for all Bhutanese. Access to the world outside has improved and increased with broadband at more affordable rates and better values added. It was good interacting. Bye." |
