TCIL among bidders to set up Bhutan's cellular network

Tuesday, 10 September 2002, 19:30 IST
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THIMPHU: India's state-owned Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) is among three international vendors shortlisted by Bhutan to set up the country's first cellular phone network. TCIL's competitors in the bid are Mitsui Company of Japan and Telos Technology of Canada, state-run newspaper Kuensel reported. Though Ericsson and Siemens were also shortlisted by the Bhutan Telecom Board, Siemens had decided to make a joint bid with Mitsui while Ericsson tied up with TCIL, B-mobile manager Tashi Tshering was quoted as saying. The Bhutan Telecom Board will evaluate the bids in two stages. In the first stage, checks will be made to see whether bidders have complied with technical and commercial specifications. The second stage to evaluate financial bids will be opened next week. The financial bids will include the cost of setting up the cellular network. The Bhutan Telecom Board is expected to award the contract sometime in October. A cellular network -- covering the capital Thimphu, Paro, Chukha, Gedu, Tala and Phuentsholing -- is expected to be commissioned by mid-2003. According to B-Mobile officials, this will involve building a series of base station towers, installing a switching system and testing and commissioning the network. "The roll-out of a mobile service network is much faster than the fixed line service although Bhutan's terrain could pose some difficulties," the report said. Once the network is set up, Bhutan Telecom will sell mobile handsets and later encourage private dealers when the market picks up. The service will have both pre-paid and post-paid schemes to suit government and individual users.
Source: IANS
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