+353-1-416-8900REST OF WORLD
+44-20-3973-8888REST OF WORLD
1-917-300-0470EAST COAST U.S
1-800-526-8630U.S. (TOLL FREE)

Bhutan - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

  • PDF Icon

    Report

  • August 2020
  • Region: Bhutan
  • Paul Budde Communication Pty Ltd
  • ID: 4375836

Bhutan's Mobile Market Continues to Expand

The telecom market in Bhutan is dominated by the mobile sector, which accounts for the vast majority of voice and data connections. This is partly the result of poor fixed-line infrastructure, and topographic issues which has rendered it easier to deliver services based on mobile infrastructure.

The fixed broadband sector is similarly limited. The number of subscriptions fell in the first half of 2020, and development in the sector is expected to be stagnant over the next five years.

While investment is focussed on mobile infrastructure, Bhutan Telecom in late 2019 deployed an emergency telecom network, designed to be usable in the event of natural disasters.

The two mobile network operators have extended the reach of LTE, and by mid-2020 about 60% of all mobile internet users were on this platform. In early 2020 the regulator published its framework for the deployment of 5G, cautiously noting that it preferred to learn from the experiences in other markets before committing to a launch, and thus 5G is not expected to be widely available in Bhutan until at least 2024.

The publisher notes that the outbreak of the Coronavirus in 2020 is having a significant impact on production and supply chains globally. During the coming year the telecoms sector to various degrees is likely to experience a downturn in mobile device production, while it may also be difficult for network operators to manage workflows when maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure. Overall progress towards 5G may be postponed or slowed down in some countries.

On the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices is under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes. However, the crucial nature of telecom services, both for general communication as well as a tool for home-working, will offset such pressures. In many markets the net effect should be a steady though reduced increased in subscriber growth.

Although it is challenging to predict and interpret the long-term impacts of the crisis as it develops, these have been acknowledged in the industry forecasts contained in this report.

The report also covers the responses of the telecom operators as well as government agencies and regulators as they react to the crisis to ensure that citizens can continue to make optimum use of telecom services. This can be reflected in subsidy schemes and the promotion of tele-health and tele-education, among other solutions.

Key Developments:
  • Telecom regulator develops 5G spectrum plan;
  • Tashi Cell makes gains in mobile market;
  • Operators extend LTE network reach;

The report includes the regulator's 2019 market report, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses; assessment of the global impact of COVID-19 on the telecoms sector, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

Bhutan Telecom, B-Mobile, DrukNet, Samden Tech, Tashi InfoComm, Tashi Cell, Ericsson, Reliance, Airtel.

Table of Contents

1 Key statistics2 Regional Asian Market Comparison
3 Country overview
3.1 Economy
4 COVID-19 and its impact on the telecom sector
4.1 Economic considerations and responses
4.2 Mobile devices
4.3 Subscribers
4.4 Infrastructure
5 Telecommunications market
5.1 Market analysis
6 Regulatory environment
6.1 Bhutan Telecommunications Act 1999
6.2 Bhutan Information Communications and Media (BICM) Act 2006
6.3 Licensing
6.4 Telecommunications Numbering Plan
6.5 Cable TV
7 Mobile market
7.1 Mobile statistics
7.2 Mobile infrastructure
7.3 Major mobile operators
8 Fixed-line broadband market
8.1 Broadband statistics
8.2 Fixed broadband service providers
9 Digital economy
9.1 e-Banking
9.2 e-Education
10 Fixed network operator
10.1 Bhutan Telecom
11 Telecommunications infrastructure
11.1 Overview of the national telecom network
11.2 International infrastructure
12 Appendix Historic data13 Glossary of abbreviations14 Related reports
List of Tables
Table 1 Top Level Country Statistics and Telco Authorities 2020 (e)
Table 2 Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2010 2025
Table 3 Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2010 2025
Table 4 Mobile operators and systems
Table 5 Mobile subscribers and market share by operator June 2020
Table 6 Change in the number of B-Mobile's subscribers 2010 2020
Table 7 Growth in the number of Tashi Cell's mobile subscribers 2010 2020
Table 8 Growth in the number of fixed broadband subscribers and penetration 2010 2025
Table 9 Development of Bhutan Telecom's service revenue mix 2017 2019
Table 10 Development of Bhutan Telecom's financial data 2009 2019
Table 11 Change in the number of fixed lines and teledensity 2010 2025
Table 12 Increase in international internet bandwidth 2010 2019
Table 13 Historic - fixed lines in service and Penetration 1995 2006
Table 14 Historic - Dial-up internet subscribers 2001 2008; 2010 2011
Table 15 Historic - Broadband / Internet subscribers by access (fixed and wireless) 2008; 2012 2017
Table 16 - Historic - Internet users and penetration rate - 1999 2006
Table 17 Historic - ADSL Broadband Subscribers by Service Provider 2017
Table 18 - Historic - Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration 2003 2009
Table 19 Historic - Leased-Line Broadband Services by Service Provider 2017
Table 20 Historic - Broadband, Leased Line and Mobile Broadband by Service Providers 2016
Table 21 Historic - B-Mobile's subscribers 2003 2009
Table 22 Historic - International internet bandwidth 2000 2009
Table 23 Historic - Lit/Equipped International Bandwidth Capacity 2015 2017
List of Charts
Chart 1 Asian Telecoms Maturity Index by Market Category
Chart 2 Asian Telecoms Maturity Index vs GDP per Capita
Chart 3 Telecoms Maturity Index Central Asia
Chart 4 Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2010 2025
Chart 5 Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2010 2025
Chart 6 Change in the number of B-Mobile's subscribers 2010 2020
Chart 7 Growth in the number of Tashi Cell's mobile subscribers 2010 2020
Chart 8 Growth in the number of fixed broadband subscribers and penetration 2010 2025
Chart 9 Development of Bhutan Telecom's service revenue mix 2017 2019
Chart 10 Development of Bhutan Telecom's financial data 2009 2019
Chart 11 Change in the number of fixed lines and teledensity 2010 2025
List of Exhibits
Exhibit 1 Key market characteristics by market segment
Exhibit 2 Central Asia -Key Characteristics of Telecoms Markets by Country
Exhibit 3 Level of competition by market segment
Exhibit 4 Licences issued by service category