April 2004 updates

Bhutan adopts a novel way in building a new network
By Gopi Pradhan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. April 2004.

Bhutan has begun laying optical ground wire (OPGW) next to the high voltage transmission lines of Bhutan Power Corporation. This is a novel project for the country. It will provide optical fibre-based transmission medium between the urban hubs of Thimphu, Phuentsholing and Paro.

Besides these three main terminals, the project will also provide fibre-based connectivity to the smaller towns around Thimphu and Phuntsholing. In addition to providing increased bandwidth between the various towns and exchanges, the fibre link will add redundancy to the existing digital microwave link connecting Thimphu, Phuentsholing and Paro.

The increased bandwidth will be used to introduce new services such as video conferencing, live television signal and radio signal transmissions, as well as provide broader bandwidth for Internet connections, and to meet the increase in tele-traffic after the introduction of mobile phones in November 2003.

This new network will also open up an alternative international route via India. The project is expected to provide Bhutan Power Corporation with the links required for their in-house operation and management systems. A Buddhist ceremony marked the start of installation works of the OPGW Network Project at the commercial town of Phuentsholing in southern Bhutan on 24 February 2004.