International Seminar on Integrating Modern and

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International Seminar on Integrating Modern and
Traditional Information and Communication
Technologies for Community Development Januar
y 22-27, 2001 Kothmale, Sri Lanka
Sonam Tobgyal
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BHUTAN
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Bhutan Broadcasting Service

• Bhutan
• Situated between India and China
• Land area 47,000km squared
• Around 70 is under forest cover
• 8-10 Agricultural land
• Population 700,000
• A major technical challenge for the Broadcaster

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Bhutan Broadcasting Service

• As Public Service Broadcaster aim
• INFORM
• EDUCATE
• ENTERTAIN
• Low literacy rate, rugged terrain makes Radio
  popular medium of information

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Bhutan Broadcasting Service

• Brief History
• 1973 Group of Volunteers started radio service
• Used a 400 watt SW transmitter
• 1979 Became part of Dept of Information and
  Broadcasting
  
• 1986 Professional 5KW RIZ SW Transmitter put into
  operation

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Bhutan Broadcasting Service

• Brief History(cntd)
• 1991 50 KW BBC SW Transmitter complex
• UNESCO-DANIDA Project enabled good transition
• 1997 DANIDA funding for National FM Network

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Bhutan Broadcasting Service

• Present Status
• Broadcasts 10 Hours a day
• 4 Major languages
• Dzongkha
• Sharchopkha
• Lhotsamkha
• English

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Bhutan Broadcasting Service

• Nationwide FM Network
• FM started in 1990 using a 100W transmitter.
• Intensive tests carried out to choose the
  transmitter sites
  
• Set up 3 main 1KW transmitters two 20watt
  transposers
  
• Covers 1/3rd of the Country

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Bhutan Broadcasting Service
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Bhutan Broadcasting Service

• Internet
• Services started in June 1999
• Restricted to urban areas
• Computer with modem
• Service still expensive
• Nu.1000/month Local telephone charges(15-20
  salary)
  
• UNDP Strongly supporting Internet usage

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Bhutan Broadcasting Service

• Radio Browsing
• Idea planted in June 2000 during Jayaweeras
  visit
  
• Program where listeners can send letters,
  postcards, email or phone in for information from
  the Internet on any subject

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Bhutan Broadcasting Service

• Objectives
• Provide information
• Create IT awareness
• Provide information through the Internet
• Broaden Internet market
• Provide quality and variety to programs

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Bhutan Broadcasting Service

• Target Groups
• Students
• General Internet users
• Uneducated farmers, workers, businessmen,
  entrepreneurs
  
• Travel agents

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Bhutan Broadcasting Service

• Requirements( Hardware)
• Computers
• A leased Internet connection
• Studio with Telephone Interface
• Toll free lines to encourage more callers

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Bhutan Broadcasting Service

• Requirements( Software)
• Technical support(ISP)
• Professional Support(Resource Persons)
• Anchor having fairly good Internet knowledge

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PIE CHART
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Bhutan Broadcasting Service

• Funding and sustainability
• UNESCO and Telecom provided capital
• Look for sponsors
• IT Industries ready to fund but will it be
  sustainable?

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Bhutan Broadcasting Service

• Future
• Increase Program time
• Establish a regional bureau near a Telecenter
• Eventually set up a small broadcast station ?

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• TASHI DELEK!