Bhutan - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses
Bhutan’s MNOs launch limited 5G services ahead of schedule
Bhutan’s telecom regulator, the Bhutan Information Communications and Media Authority (BICMA), published a 5G deployment framework in March 2020. In this document, BICMA outlined a launch timetable along with a set of measures covering the rollout of 5G networks in the country. Notably, the regulator anticipated holding off a launch of commercial services until 2022. It cited a need for operators to learn from the experiences of 5G deployments taking place in other parts of the world.
The two MNOs in Bhutan, B-Mobile and Tashi Cell, apparently learnt quickly! In December 2021, both operators launched 5G services in areas of Thimphu, Paro, and Phuentsholing. Still, there is a downside to getting ahead of the regulator’s schedule: There’s only limited spectrum available for 5G at present, and what is in use is only supported by a small number of handsets. B-Mobile’s 5G service is only accessible to customers with selected Vivo models, while Tashi Cell is offering its 5G service on a total of five models from Samsung and Huawei. Both operators are testing Apple iPhone products and hope to certify them for use in 2022. Otherwise, the wait is on for additional spectrum to be re-farmed from existing communications services.
- 1 Key statistics
- 2 Regional Asia market comparison
- 2.1 Market characteristics
- 2.2 Market Leaders
- 2.3 Market Challengers
- 2.4 Market Emergents
- 2.5 TMI vs GDP
- 2.6 Mobile and mobile broadband penetration
- 2.7 Fixed versus mobile broadband penetration
- 3 Country overview
- 4 Covid-19 and its impact on the telecom sector
- 4.1 Economic considerations and responses
- 4.2 Subscribers
- 4.3 Infrastructure
- 5 Telecommunications market
- 6 Regulatory environment
- 6.1 Bhutan Telecommunications Act 1999
- 6.2 Bhutan Information Communications and Media (BICM) Act 2006
- 6.3 Licenses
- 6.4 Rural Communication Program
- 7 Mobile market
- 7.1 Mobile infrastructure
- 7.2 Major mobile operators
- 8 Fixed-line broadband market
- 8.1 Fixed broadband service providers
- 9 Digital economy
- 9.1 e-Banking
- 9.2 e-Education
- 10 Fixed network market
- 10.1 Major network operator
- 11 Telecommunications infrastructure
- 11.1 National telecom network
- 11.2 International infrastructure
- 12 Appendix Historic data
- 13 Glossary of abbreviations
- 14 Related reports
- Table 1 Top Level Country Statistics and Telco Authorities 2022 (e)
- Table 2 Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
- Table 3 Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
- Table 4 Mobile subscribers by operator September 2021
- Table 5 Change in the market share of mobile subscribers by operator 2011 2021
- Table 6 Mobile 4G subscribers by operator September 2021
- Table 7 Mobile 3G subscribers by operator September 2021
- Table 8 Change in the number of B-Mobile's subscribers 2011 2021
- Table 9 Change in the number of B-Mobile's subscribers by type 2011 2020
- Table 10 Growth in the number of Tashi Cell's mobile subscribers 2011 2021
- Table 11 Growth in the number of Tashi Cell's mobile subscribers by type 2011 2020
- Table 12 Change in the number of fixed broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
- Table 13 Change in the number of fixed lines and teledensity 2012 2027
- Table 14 Development of Bhutan Telecom's financial data (Nu million) 2011 2020
- Table 15 Increase in international internet bandwidth 2011 2020
- Table 16 Historic - fixed lines in service and penetration 2001 2011
- Table 17 Historic - Dial-up internet subscribers 2001 2008; 2010 2011
- Table 18 Historic - Broadband / Internet subscribers by access (fixed and wireless) 2008; 2012 2017
- Table 19 Historic - Internet users and penetration rate 1999 2006
- Table 20 Historic - ADSL Broadband Subscribers by Service Provider 2017
- Table 21 Historic - Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration 2003 2010
- Table 22 Historic - Leased-Line Broadband Services by Service Provider 2017
- Table 23 Historic - Broadband, Leased Line and Mobile Broadband by Service Providers 2016
- Table 24 Historic - B-Mobile's subscribers 2003 2010
- Table 25 Historic - Development of Bhutan Telecom's service revenue mix (Nu million) 2017 2019
- Table 26 Historic - International internet bandwidth 2000 2010
- Table 27 Historic - Lit/Equipped International Bandwidth Capacity 2015 2017
- Chart 1 Asia Telecoms Maturity Index Market Leaders
- Chart 2 Asia Telecoms Maturity Index Market Challengers
- Chart 3 Asia Telecoms Maturity Index Market Emergents
- Chart 4 Asia Telecoms Maturity Index vs GDP per capita
- Chart 5 Asia Mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration
- Chart 6 Central Asia Mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration
- Chart 7 Central Asia Fixed and mobile broadband penetration
- Chart 8 Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
- Chart 9 Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
- Chart 10 Change in the market share of mobile subscribers by operator 2011 2021
- Chart 11 Change in the number of B-Mobile's subscribers 2011 2021
- Chart 12 Change in the number of B-Mobile's subscribers by type 2011 2020
- Chart 13 Growth in the number of Tashi Cell's mobile subscribers 2011 2021
- Chart 14 Growth in the number of Tashi Cell's mobile subscribers by type 2011 2020
- Chart 15 Change in the number of fixed broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
- Chart 16 Change in the number of fixed lines and teledensity 2012 2027
- Chart 17 Development of Bhutan Telecom's financial data 2011 2020
- Exhibit 1 Map of Telecom Maturity Index global ranking among countries in Asia
- Exhibit 2 Generalised Market Characteristics by Market Segment
- Exhibit 3 Asia Market Leaders and market developments
- Exhibit 4 Asia Market Challengers and market developments
- Exhibit 5 Asia Market Emergents and market developments
- Exhibit 6 Level of competition by market segment
- Exhibit 7 Licences issued by service category
Research Assistance
Learn how to effectively navigate the market research process to help guide your organization on the journey to success.
Download eBook