Communication Facility in Bhutan
Communication Facility is the most important and modern media in human being lifestyle now in the world. Telephone, Mobile, Internet, Phone, fax, Postal Service, media is type of the communication. Telecommunication facilities are available across the country although overseas mobile phones will not operate. If constant communication is required we recommend use of a satellite telephone. With the introduction of internet to Bhutan in 1999, visitors can also access internet facilities in all major towns and cities.
Postal Service:
- The Bhutanese postal system is slow but extremely reliable. As of 199, postcards for all destinations except India, Nepal and Bhutan require a 9 Nu. Stamp. Letters for Europe require 15 Nu, for Asia 9 Nu., for America 16 Nu, and for India, Nepal or Bhutan 50 Chetrum. A letter takes about ten days to reach Europe, one week to Japan and three weeks to America. Package (up to 5 kg or 11 lb.) should be sent by registered mail. DHL and other courier services also now operate from Thimpu.
Communication facilities:
- Telecommunication facilities are available across the country although overseas mobile phones will not operate. With the introduction of internet to Bhutan in 1999, visitors can also access internet facilities in all major towns and cities.
Telephone Services:
- Telephone, fax, telex and telegraph services are available. Hotels and private communications centers provide long distance telephone.
Internet Services:
There are several internet cafes and communication centers in the Thimphu Valley and around the country. Tourists only need to find a place they are most comfortable with to use the facilities to keep in touch with home. E-mail and Internet services are also offered by hotels.
Mobile Service:
- Mobile was introduced in the month of November 2005 and now covers up to 9 districts in Bhutan. It has two categories of services. Post Paid and Pre-Paid.
- Post Paid: Monthly billing system.
- Pre-paid as per the recharge Card
- Sim Card is available at every dealer shops..
Media in Bhutan:
- The Kuensel , a newspaper of a government-owned corporation, circulates biweekly in Dzongkha, English and Nepali. Beginning in April 2006, it competes with The Bhutan Times , Bhutan's first government-authorized privately owned newspaper. In late 2006, another private newspaper, The Bhutan Observer began publication.
Bhutan has about 15,000 Internet users, 25,200 landline subscribers, and 23,000 mobile phone subscribers. The Bhutan Broadcasting Service was established in 1973 as a radio service, broadcasting in short wave nationally, and on the FM band in Thimphu . The service started television broadcasts in 1999, making Bhutan the last country in the world to introduce television. As part of the King's modernization program, cable television was introduced shortly after. By 2002, however, the crime rate had increased appreciably, and the introduction of cable television is alleged to be responsible for the spurt in crime.
Bhutanese lama Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche is a well-known filmmaker, who produced and directed The Cup as well as Travellers and Magicians . While The Cup was shot in a Tibetan monastery in northern India , Travellers and Magicians was the first feature film to be filmed entirely in Bhutan , with a cast comprised entirely of Bhutanese people. No professional actors were used in either film.
People working in media in Bhutan receive short term journalism training from Britain , The Netherlands, India and Singapore .
