COUNTRY BACKGROUND - Gross National Happiness Commission

Communications Sector
Printing PressesPrinting Presses
16.8 There are 4 printing presses, including the Government Press in Thimphu. The other 3 are in Thimphu,
Phuntsholing and Geylegphug. All of these printing presses are engaged in producing stationery for both the private
sector and RGOB offices, in addition to printing bulletins, reports and institutional magazines. There is another
private printer in Thimphu who uses desktop publishing. For the bulk of publishing at competitive prices, religious
and other books are printed in India.
16.9 In rural areas and monastic institutions, the technique of printing with wooden blocks has been used for
centuries and continues today. Hand made paper (from the bark of edgeworthia and daphne) is preferred when
books are reproduced.
Sound BroadcastingSound Broadcasting
16.10 Broadcasting was first started in Bhutan as an amateur radio station run by the National Youth Association
of Bhutan. Bhutan Broadcasting Service as it is now known was formed in 1986 as part of the Department of
Information and Broadcasting Services. On average there are six hours of daily broadcast or 42 hours per week.
News services are shared between Kuensel and the Bhutan Broadcasting Services. Programmes are produced in
English, Nepali, Dzongkha and Tshangla or Sharchopkha.
Development Support Communication DivisionDevelopment Support Communication Division
16.11 The functions of Development Support Communication Division (DSCD) of the Department of
Information are to assist other organizations - both private and Government - to formulate communication
strategies and develop various kinds of communication materials in support of development programmes. Forms of
communications materials produced by DSCD include leaflets, pamphlets, posters, flipcharts, photographs, news
and feature articles, audio tapes, radio releases, slides, film strips, transparencies, motion pictures, bill boards and
video tapes. The DSCD is also responsible for supplying a set of audio visual equipment to all the 18 Dzongkhags.
Postal ServicesPostal Services
16.12 The total volume handled by the Postal Services is over seven million articles a year. The volume of articles
has been increasing at an annual rate of 4%. This growth rate is expected to accelerate to 6-8% during the 7FYP.
The mail is carried on most of the routes by private passenger bus services at a fixed rate. Departmental mail
transport and runners are used only in remote areas, where there are no private passenger services. Air mail going
out of the country is not airlifted, but despatched by road transport from Phuntsholing to Calcutta, which delays
airmail transmission. By the end of the 6FYP, air mail will be despatched by Druk-Air from Paro.
Telegraph and Facsimile ServicesTelegraph and Facsimile Services
16.13 Telegram and telex services are available only in Thimphu and Phuntsholing. The telex network has only
one telex exchange in Thimphu with two multiplexers. One is linked to Phuntsholing with 23 telegraph channels
and the other is linked to Delhi, India with 46 telegraph channels. In 1991, fax machines were also introduced in
Thimphu, Paro, Chimakoti, Wangdiphodrang and Punakha post offices for public use.
Wireless ServicesWireless Services
16.14 There are wireless stations in all the 18 Dzongkhags and several dungkhags. Wireless services are thus the
only radio communication service covering the entire country. The wireless service is also used in communication
with the Royal Bhutan Embassies in Delhi and Dhaka.
Telephone ServicesTelephone Services
16.15 The telephone network consists of 13 public telephone exchanges. The total installed capacity is 4090 direct
exchange lines and 2,461 working connections.
2