COUNTRY BACKGROUND - Gross National Happiness Commission

Table 16.1 Telephone Facilities 1990
Exchange Year of
Est
Western Zone
Thimphu
Phuntsholing
Chimakoti
Haa
Paro
Punakha
Samchi
Wangdiphodrang
Central Zone
Geylegphug
Sarbhang
Tongsa
Eastern Zone
Tashigang
S. Jongkhar
Communications Sector
16.16 All the exchanges are of step-by-step strowger type except the ones in Thimphu and Punakha. The
Thimphu exchange is a digital exchange which can process international, transit and local calls, with an equipped
capacity of 3,000 direct exchange lines. The Punakha exchange has been replaced by a SAX (small automatic
exchange).
B. ConstraintsB. Constraints
1990
1965
1980
1965
1967
1979
1976
1971
1973
1976
1974
1968
1966
System Total
capacity
NEAX61E
RAX
RAX
SAX
SAX
CB
RAX
RAX
SAX
RAX
SAX
SAX
SAX
Working
Connection
16.17 The constraints are common to the entire communication sector. The constraints relate to: shortages of
qualified technical manpower and lack of appropriate technology, machinery and equipment. Although the Ministry
has attempted to minimise the size of existing manpower in line with RGOB policy, the institutional capacity of the
Departments has not been able to meet the requirements of recent programmes. The introduction of modern digital
technology in the telecommunications subsector will require highly trained technical manpower. The other
subsectors are all lacking modern equipment.
16.18 While communication facilities exist, all 3 sub-sectors are not connected into a unified network. Thus it is
not possible to communicate with all areas of Bhutan through the existing telephone and telex system. The only
system through which this is possible is the Civil Wireless network.
3000
400
50
50
100
20
100
50
100
50
35
35
100
1000
387
49
39
75
19
58
48
Total 4090 2461
98
47
34
34
87
3