The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2024 Asia
Telecommunication systems Bhutan, in 35 editions.
The entry for Bhutan published Telecommunication systems in 35 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2024. The text changed in 27 editions. Each is shown as published. Telecommunication systems in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 27
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2024
Published as “Telecommunications” (1990 to 1994), “Telephone system” (1995 to 2019) and “Telecommunication systems” (2020 to 2024).
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.
2024 edition
Same as 2023Published as “Telecommunications”
- inadequate;
- 1,890 telephones (1985);
- 15,000 radio receivers (1987 est.);
- 85 TV sets (1985);
- stations--20 AM, no FM, no TV
inadequate; 1,890 telephones (1985); 15,000 radio receivers (1987 est.); 85 TV sets (1985); stations--20 AM, no FM, no TV
Published as “Telecommunications”
- inadequate;
- 1,990 telephones (1988);
- 22,000 radios (1990 est.);
- 85 TVs (1985);
- stations--1 AM, 1 FM, no TV (1990)
inadequate; 1,890 1,990 telephones (1985); 15,000 radio receivers (1987 (1988); 22,000 radios (1990 est.); 85 TV sets TVs (1985); stations--20 stations--1 AM, no 1 FM, no TV (1990)
Published as “Telecommunications”
- inadequate;
- 1,990 telephones (1988);
- 22,000 radios (1990 est.);
- 85 TVs (1985);
- broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, no TV (1990)
inadequate; 1,990 telephones (1988); 22,000 radios (1990 est.); 85 TVs
(1985); stations--1 broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, no TV (1990)
Published as “Telecommunications”
- domestic telephone service is very poor with very few telephones in use;
- international telephone and telegraph service is by land line through India;
- a satellite earth station was planned (1990);
- broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, no TV (1990)
Rewritten: too little of the 1992 text remains to mark the changes.
domestic telephone service is very poor with very few telephones in use;
international telephone and telegraph service is by land line through India;
a satellite earth station was planned (1990); broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1
FM, no TV (1990)
Published as “Telecommunications”
- domestic telephone service is very poor with very few telephones in use;
- international telephone and telegraph service is by land line through India;
- a satellite earth station was planned (1990);
- broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, no TV (1990)
domestic telephone service is very poor with very few telephones in use;
use; international telephone and telegraph service is by land line
through India;
stations - 1 AM, 1
Published as “Telephone system”
NA telephones; domestic telephone service is very poor with very few telephones in use
- local:
- NA
- intercity:
- NA
- international:
- international telephone and telegraph service is by land line through India; an earth station was planned (1990)
NA telephones; domestic telephone service is very
poor with very few telephones in useuse; local: NA
intercity: NA
international: international telephone and telegraph service is by
land linea satellite an earth station was planned (1990); broadcast (1990)
stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, no TV
Published as “Telephone system”
- domestic:
- domestic telephone service is very poor with very few telephones in use
- international:
- international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
NA telephones; domestic: domestic telephone service is very
telephones in uselocal: NAinternational: international telephone and telegraph service is by
intercity: NAland line landline through India; an a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
Published as “Telephone system”
- domestic:
- domestic telephone service is very poor with very few telephones in use
- international :
- international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with very few
telephones in useinternational: international : international telephone and telegraph service is by
landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
The same text in 1998 and 1999.
Published as “Telephone system”
- domestic:
- domestic telephone service is very poor with very few telephones in use
- international:
- international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with very few
telephones in useinternational : international: international telephone and telegraph service is by
landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
Published as “Telephone system”
- domestic:
- domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use
- international:
- international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with very few
international: international telephone and telegraph service is by
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- NA domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use international: international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India;
- a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
general assessment: NA domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use
The same text in 2002 and 2003.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- NA
- domestic:
- domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use
- international:
- international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
general assessment: NA
domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use
international: international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- NA
- domestic:
- domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India;
- a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
general assessment: NA
domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use
international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- telecommunications facilities are poor
- domestic:
- very low tele-density;
- domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas;
- wireless service available since 2003
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2005)
general assessment: NA telecommunications facilities are poor
domestic: very low tele-density; domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones especially in use rural areas; wireless service available since 2003
international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service is by via landline and microwave relay through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990) - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2005)
The same text in 2006 and 2007.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- telecommunications facilities are poor
- domestic:
- very low teledensity;
- domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas;
- wireless service available since 2003
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
- satellite earth station - 1 (2005)
general assessment: telecommunications facilities are poor
domestic: very low tele-density; teledensity; domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003
international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2005)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
- domestic:
- very low teledensity;
- domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas;
- wireless service available since 2003
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2007)
general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications facilities are poor services
domestic: very low teledensity; domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003
international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 (2005) Intelsat (2007)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
- domestic:
- low teledensity;
- domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas;
- wireless service available since 2003
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2008)
general assessment:
urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
domestic: very
low teledensity; domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003
international:
country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2007) (2008)
The same text in 3 editions, 2010 to 2012.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
- domestic:
- low teledensity;
- domestic service is poor especially in rural areas;
- mobile-cellular service available since 2003
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2009)
general assessment:
urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
domestic:
low teledensity; domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas; wireless mobile-cellular service available since 2003
international:
country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2008) (2009)
The same text in 2013 and 2014.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
- domestic:
- low teledensity;
- domestic service is poor especially in rural areas;
- mobile-cellular service, started in 2003, is now widely available
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2012)
general assessment:
urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
domestic:
low teledensity; domestic service is poor especially in rural areas; mobile-cellular service service, started in 2003, is now widely available since 2003
international:
country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2009) (2012)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
- domestic:
- low teledensity;
- domestic service is poor especially in rural areas;
- mobile-cellular service, started in 2003, is now widely available
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2012)
general assessment:
domestic:
international:
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
- domestic:
- domestic service inadequate, especially in rural areas; mobile-cellular service, begun in 2003, is now widely available
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2015)
general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
domestic: low teledensity; domestic service is poor inadequate, especially in rural areas; mobile-cellular service, started begun in 2003, is now widely available
international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2012) (2015)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
- domestic:
- domestic service inadequate, especially in rural areas;
- mobile-cellular service, begun in 2003, is now widely available;
- Internet services widely available
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2016)
general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
domestic: domestic service inadequate, especially in rural areas; mobile-cellular service, begun in 2003, is now widely available; Internet services widely available
international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2015) (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services;
- telecom sector has been continuing on a steady development path;
- fixed broadband penetration remains very low, due to the preeminence of the mobile platform;
- next five years to 2023 low to moderate growth is expected from this small base (2017)
- domestic:
- domestic service inadequate, notably in rural areas;
- mobile-cellular service, begun in 2003, is now widely available;
- 3 to 100 fixed-line, 96 to 100 mobile cellular (2017)
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2016)
general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services services; telecom sector has been continuing on a steady development path; fixed broadband penetration remains very low, due to the preeminence of the mobile platform; next five years to 2023 low to moderate growth is expected from this small base (2017)
domestic: domestic service inadequate, especially notably in rural areas; mobile-cellular service, begun in 2003, is now widely available; Internet services widely available 3 to 100 fixed-line, 96 to 100 mobile cellular (2017)
international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services;
- telecom sector has been continuing on a steady development path;
- fixed broadband penetration remains very low, due to the preeminence of the mobile platform;
- in the next five years to 2023 low to moderate growth is expected from this small base (2018)
- domestic:
- domestic service inadequate, notably in rural areas;
- mobile-cellular service, begun in 2003, is now widely available;
- 3 to 100 fixed-line, 96 to 100 mobile cellular (2018)
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services; telecom sector has been continuing on a steady development path; fixed broadband penetration remains very low, due to the preeminence of the mobile platform; in the next five years to 2023 low to moderate growth is expected from this small base (2017) (2018)
domestic: domestic service inadequate, notably in rural areas; mobile-cellular service, begun in 2003, is now widely available; 3 to 100 fixed-line, 96 to 100 mobile cellular (2017) (2018)
international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2016)
- general assessment:
- 4G platforms now gaining traction;
- 4G/WiMAX networks now cover well over half of the country;
- fixed broadband penetration remains very low, due to the preeminence of the mobile platform;
- low to moderate growth is expected from this small base with a maturing mobile subscriber market (2020)
- domestic:
- 3 to 100 fixed-line, 96 to 100 mobile cellular; domestic service inadequate, notably in rural areas (2019)
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services; telecom sector has been continuing on a steady development path; 4G platforms now gaining traction; 4G/WiMAX networks now cover well over half of the country; fixed broadband penetration remains very low, due to the preeminence of the mobile platform; in the next five years to 2023 low to moderate growth is expected from this small base (2018) with a maturing mobile subscriber market (2020)
domestic: domestic service inadequate, notably in rural areas; mobile-cellular service, begun in 2003, is now widely available; 3 to 100 fixed-line, 96 to 100 mobile cellular (2018) cellular; domestic service inadequate, notably in rural areas (2019)
international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
- general assessment:
- Bhutan’s telecom market is dominated by the mobile sector for voice and data connections due to poor fixed-line infrastructure and topographic issues;
- investment is focused on mobile infrastructure and an emergency telecom network for natural disasters;
- extended LTE to 60% of all mobile Internet users;
- regulator developing 5G plan;
- international communication through landline and microwave relay;
- nascent satellite service;
- importer of broadcast equipment from India (2021)
- domestic:
- 3 to 100 fixed-line, 96 to 100 mobile cellular; domestic service inadequate, notably in rural areas (2019)
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Rewritten: too little of the 2020 text remains to mark the changes.
general assessment: Bhutan’s telecom market is dominated by the mobile sector for voice and data connections due to poor fixed-line infrastructure and topographic issues; investment is focused on mobile infrastructure and an emergency telecom network for natural disasters; extended LTE to 60% of all mobile Internet users; regulator developing 5G plan; international communication through landline and microwave relay; nascent satellite service; importer of broadcast equipment from India (2021)
domestic: 3 to 100 fixed-line, 96 to 100 mobile cellular; domestic service inadequate, notably in rural areas (2019)
international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
- general assessment:
- the small land-locked Kingdom of Bhutan has only recently emerged from decades of isolation from the modern world;
- that, and its mountainous terrain, left the country far back in the field in terms of teledensity as well as access to the Internet;
- over the last decade, the country has undergone a significant transformation due to the opening of its borders, liberalization of its telecom sector, and the active support from the government towards increased competition in the mobile, broadband, and ISP segments;
- the relatively widespread availability of the mobile platform has caused an explosion in mobile broadband subscriber numbers, growing from zero to over 100% penetration in just ten years (between 2010 and 2019).;
- the onset of the Covid-19 crisis in 2020 caused the subscription rates to drop back a little;
- growth is projected to return in 2022 (along with the broader mobile market) as the overall economy recovers;
- the government opens up more to foreign investment, trade, and tourism;
- and network expansion continues – the recent (December 2021) launch of 5G services by both of the country’s mobile operators being particularly noteworthy (2022)
- domestic:
- approximately 3 to 100 fixed-line and 97 to 100 mobile cellular; domestic service inadequate, notably in rural areas (2020)
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Rewritten: too little of the 2021 text remains to mark the changes.
general assessment: the small land-locked Kingdom of Bhutan has only recently emerged from decades of isolation from the modern world; that, and its mountainous terrain, left the country far back in the field in terms of teledensity as well as access to the Internet; over the last decade, the country has undergone a significant transformation due to the opening of its borders, liberalization of its telecom sector, and the active support from the government towards increased competition in the mobile, broadband, and ISP segments; the relatively widespread availability of the mobile platform has caused an explosion in mobile broadband subscriber numbers, growing from zero to over 100% penetration in just ten years (between 2010 and 2019).; the onset of the Covid-19 crisis in 2020 caused the subscription rates to drop back a little; growth is projected to return in 2022 (along with the broader mobile market) as the overall economy recovers; the government opens up more to foreign investment, trade, and tourism; and network expansion continues – the recent (December 2021) launch of 5G services by both of the country’s mobile operators being particularly noteworthy (2022)
domestic: approximately 3 to 100 fixed-line and 97 to 100 mobile cellular; domestic service inadequate, notably in rural areas (2020)
international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
The same text in 2023 and 2024.
- general assessment:
- the small land-locked Kingdom of Bhutan has only recently emerged from decades of isolation from the modern world;
- that, and its mountainous terrain, left the country far back in the field in terms of teledensity as well as access to the Internet;
- over the last decade, the country has undergone a significant transformation due to the opening of its borders, liberalization of its telecom sector, and the active support from the government towards increased competition in the mobile, broadband, and ISP segments;
- the relatively widespread availability of the mobile platform has caused an explosion in mobile broadband subscriber numbers, growing from zero to over 100% penetration in just ten years (between 2010 and 2019).;
- the onset of the Covid-19 crisis in 2020 caused the subscription rates to drop back a little;
- growth is projected to return in 2022 (along with the broader mobile market) as the overall economy recovers;
- the government opens up more to foreign investment, trade, and tourism;
- and network expansion continues – the recent (December 2021) launch of 5G services by both of the country’s mobile operators being particularly noteworthy (2022)
- domestic:
- approximately 3 to 100 fixed-line and 100 mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people (2021)
- international:
- country code - 975;
- international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
general assessment: the small land-locked Kingdom of Bhutan has only recently emerged from decades of isolation from the modern world; that, and its mountainous terrain, left the country far back in the field in terms of teledensity as well as access to the Internet; over the last decade, the country has undergone a significant transformation due to the opening of its borders, liberalization of its telecom sector, and the active support from the government towards increased competition in the mobile, broadband, and ISP segments; the relatively widespread availability of the mobile platform has caused an explosion in mobile broadband subscriber numbers, growing from zero to over 100% penetration in just ten years (between 2010 and 2019).; the onset of the Covid-19 crisis in 2020 caused the subscription rates to drop back a little; growth is projected to return in 2022 (along with the broader mobile market) as the overall economy recovers; the government opens up more to foreign investment, trade, and tourism; and network expansion continues – the recent (December 2021) launch of 5G services by both of the country’s mobile operators being particularly noteworthy (2022)
domestic: approximately 3 to 100 fixed-line and 97 to 100 mobile cellular; domestic service inadequate, notably in rural areas (2020) cellular subscriptions per 100 people (2021)
international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Bhutan: Telecommunication systems.” The World Factbook, 1990–2024 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/bhutan/telecommunication-systems.