A Disaster-Resilient Emergency Mobile Network will be installed in Jakar in Bumthang. The Japanese government has committed to provide US$ 8.6m for the project.
The grant aid signing for the project between the Gross National Happiness Commission and JICA Bhutan took place in Thimphu today.
Communication networks can fail in times of disasters. The Disaster-Resilient Emergency Mobile Network will serve as a back-up mobile network system. “Because of disasters like earthquake, mobile network can be disrupted, but if there is a back-up network, the connectivity can be restored at the earliest,” said Koji Yamada, the Chief Representative of JICA.
“In times of emergency, this kind of equipment will remain functional.”
The grant aid for Bhutan Telecom’s (BT) Development of Business Continuity Plan for Disaster Control project was also signed today.
The project worth, US$ 2m will ensure BT’s telecommunication and internet services remain reliable and operational for disaster control. It is expected to begin by February next year.
