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INTRODUCTION
The erstwhile Ministry of Communications was bifurcated in July 2003 into two Ministries - Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) and Ministry of Works and Human Settlements. Since then, MoIC has been mandated with the following responsibilities:
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Development of an efficient and reliable information and communication system to transform Bhutan into an information society;
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Promotion of ICT in the country as an enabler of national development;
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Development of safe and progressive national surface transport system with a long-term vision;
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Development of a safe and sustainable civil aviation sector of international standards that meets national aspirations.
In discharging the above mandates, MoIC is designated as the lead Government agency in Bhutan for formulation and implementation of policies, drafting of legislation, assist and facilitate the execution of development programs, and acting on behalf of the Royal Government, on matters related to ICT, Media, Surface Transport and Civil Aviation.
MoIC comprises the Department of Information Technology & Telecom (DIT&T), Department of Information & Media (DoIM), Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and Road Safety & Transport Authority (RSTA). The responsibilities of the departments are guided by the following vision and strategic focus:
ICT Development:
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Vision: Creating an ICT-enabled knowledge-based society as a foundation for Gross National Happiness.
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Strategic focus: Empowering the nation and creating an enabling environment for socio-economic growth from governance to e-governance; through appropriate legislation and policy interventions, infrastructure, applications, education and creating awareness.
Information & Media
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Vision: Building a vibrant and informed society to create a shared national consciousness.
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Strategic Focus: A professional media through infrastructure, legislation, content and education.
ICT AND MEDIA INDICATORS
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Indicators
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2004
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2008
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April
end 2011
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i)
ICT & Media:
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1.
Fixed line telephone
subscribers
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30,285
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27,937
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27,152
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2.
No. of Geogs with
fixed-line telephone
access
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Not
available
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195
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198
out of 205
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3.
Cellular mobile
subscribers
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18,995
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228,347
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419,
926 (59.3% of the
total population)
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4.
No. of Geogs with
access to cellular
mobile services
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Record
not available
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47.8%
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204
out of 205 Geogs (99%)
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5.
Internet subscribers:
i)
Lease line
ii)
Dial-up
iii)
Fixed Broadband
iv)
Mobile Broadband
|
351
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5,548
109
4,014
1,300
125
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97,955
211
953
10,252
86,539
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6.
No. of Television
Stations
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1
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1
(BBS)
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1
(BBS)
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7.
No. of Radio Stations
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1
(BBS)
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1.
BBS, November, 1973
2.
Kuzoo FM, 1/9/2006
3.
Radio
Valley
, 12/4/2007
4.
Centennial Radio,
21/9/2008
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1.
BBS, November, 1973
2.
Kuzoo FM, 1/9/2006
3.
Radio
Valley
, 12/4/2007
4.
Centennial Radio,
21/9/2008
5.
Sherubtse FM, 8/5/2009
6.
Radio High, 5/8/2010
7.
Radio Wave, 12/10/2010
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8.
No. of newspapers
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1
(Kuensel)
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1.
Kuensel - 1967
(daily)
2.
Bhutan Times, 30/4/2006
(weekly)
3.
Bhutan Observer,
2/6/2006 (weekly)
4.
Bhutan Today,
30/10/2008 (daily)
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1.
Kuensel - 1967
(daily)
2.
Bhutan
Times –
30/4/2006 (weekly)
3.
Bhutan
Observer –
2/6/2006 (weekly)
4.
Bhutan
Today –
30/10/2008 (daily)
5.
Business
Bhutan
– 26/9/2009
(weekly)
6.
The Journalist
– 21/12/2009
(weekly)
7.
Druk Nyetshuel
- 2/8/2010 (weekly)
8.
Druk Yoezer –
19/2/2011 (weekly)
9.
Bhutan
Youth – 7 May 2011
(weekly)
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