Bhutan will not face a telecommunication calamity in case a major disaster damages the core mobile network systems in Thimphu. This is because Bhutan Telecom (BT) is constructing a backup system at its exchange office in Bumthang.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funded project will start operating by the end of next month.
Under the ‘Construction of Disaster Resilient Emergency Mobile Network’ project, an identical set up of the core system that currently provides BT’s mobile network throughout the country is under construction at Dekiling in Bumthang.
23 software engineers from Ericsson, a multinational networking and telecommunications company and 7 engineers from BT are currently carrying out installation and configuration works. About 60 per cent of works are complete.
“Presently at Thimphu, we have the core mobile system, in case that fails, we are not in a position to provide seamless services. With the new backup system in place, we will be able to provide uninterrupted services,” Jichen Thinley, the Project Manager of BT, said.
JICA has provided about Nu 660 M as a grant for the project.
Meanwhile, BT spent Nu 40 M for new power and transmission equipment for the project.
“We have successfully tested the voice call on 2G, 3G and LTE and the user acceptance test is scheduled to happen from next week wherein our engineers will come in and start the acceptance test,” he added,
Once the new facility is constructed, certain portion of mobile traffic from all over the country will be migrated to Bumthang. The site has been chosen in Bumthang as the district has minimal seismic hazard.
