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NEW DELHI: Indian mobile operators are eyeing to be the second GSM operator in Bhutan.
Bhutan Information Communications and Media Authority, which is keen on introducing a new GSM operator had announced to grant license to another private mobile operator to start their mobile services in the country.
Pema Tenzin, Director General, Bhutan Information Communications and Media Authority said that the announcement was made in May and they had sought expression of interest from the mobile operators by August. Tenzin said that an investor's conference was held at Bhutan early this month, which was attended, by a number of Indian mobile operators.
Indian mobile operators have shown interest in starting their operations in Bhutan, but this will only be final once they submit the expression of interest. Bhutan's mobile market is making a rapid growth now, and it is the reason that more operators are eyeing to start their services," Tenzin said. However, he denied revealing the operators, which attended the investor's conference. But he said that a couple of major mobile players were present at the conference.
According to the Bhutan Telecom Policy, a global mobile operator should have an alliance with a local vendor to provide services in the country. So, for the Indian service providers, who are keen on offering services in the Bhutan market should partner with a local vendor to participate in the auction.
The license for operations will be granted to the service provider after short listing, according to quality of service and investments to be made. The license for operations will be granted by the end of October. The operator will be granted one year period to start their operations," Tenzin said.
Bhutan had started its mobile operations in the country in 2003. B Mobile, a subsidy of Bhutan Telecom, operating under the Government of Bhutan. Tenzin said that this would be the first private operator, which would be offering its services in Bhutan.
Currently, there are around 50, 000 subscribers in Bhutan. B Mobile is offering its services only in the major towns. Telecom regulator is targeting to reach the rural areas of the country. The regulator has projected that the subscriber base would increase to around 2 lakh in the next 2 years.
Tenzin said that with the new subscriber stepping in the mobile market, the communication system is likely to improve. He said that this would also help in connecting the rural locations of the country.
¨\ CyberMedia News
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