Connectivity Providers Database

Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 09:45:54 +0600 From: Jichen Thinley <jichen@druknet.net.bt> To: Steven G. Huter <sghuter@nsrc.org> Dear Steve, > 1) Could you please provide a brief technical description of your > networking environment (operating systems, networking software, > hardware) etc., including the connectivity of DrukNet to the > Internet - upstream provider(s), international bandwidth of the link(s), > etc. ? The Operating System used by DrukNet are as follows like Linux (RedHat). BSD, IBM AIX, Windows NT. Our International bandwidth is 256K both upstream/down stream. For national connection the main node is at Thimphu and 2 POPs, one in the east and one in the south at present. They are connected to the mainnode at Thimphu at 2MBits/s via our digital Microwave system. > 2) What is the current cost of an unlimited PPP dial-up account ? Right now we don't offer unlimited PPP dial-up account. What we offer is a range of packages for Internet with Max of 100 hours. We have revised our tariff from 1st of February 2000. The current exchange rate for 1US$=Nu. 44.60 > 3) Are leased line IP connections available ? If so, what is the current > cost of a 64k leased line IP connection (including dedicated line charges > to the telco) ? Yes we provide 64K and 128K lease lines to our customers, The total charges are as follows: For 64 K dedicated lease line 1. Set up Charges Nu. 40,000.00 2. Monthly charges Nu. 40,000.00 3. Domain Registration Set Up charges Nu.5000.00 Annual Fee Nu.2000.00 4. IP address Nu. 300.00 per IP address For 128K Lease Line 1. Set up Charges Nu. 50,000.00 2. Monthly charges Nu. 65,000.00 3. Domain Registration Set Up charges Nu.5000.00 Annual Fee Nu.2000.00 4. IP address Nu. 300.00 per IP address > 4) What do you see as the prospects for Internet growth in Bhutan; what > would help it, and what are currently the major obstacles ? Internet has really grown during the last 9 months of operations. Initially we were hoping for 500 dialin customers for a year and about three lease lines. As of today we have 375 Internet users+53 e-mail users and 30 users from Telecom and three lease lines and 3 are in the pipeline that will be connected within a month from now. Internet today has become a very essential service for most of the people, especially the computer vendors, Travel agents etc where those days they have to spent a lot of time sending faxes to the supplier/agents and talking them on the phone whereby they get fat phone bills every month. Today this problem has been solved with Internet where they get all the information on the net on a local call. Bhutan Telecom being the first Internet service provider in the country has decided that Internet connection where ever in the country is being charged as local telephone charges which is for every unit(3minutes) is one Ngultrums(0.44 cents) though it can be a long distance call. The major problem we face is the computer literacy in the country though it is picking up. They are 3-4 schools that have computer classes and rest of the schools don't have computers and we are trying our best by organizing computer awareness how to use the e-mail and Internet to our customers by pooling in all our office PCs for 2-3 days. till now we have conducted around 5 courses. The other major problem we face at DrukNet is R&D, we cannot do anything on the live system like testing new software, and other operational issues matters as all the equipment are live. We seriously have resource problem. We would be very grateful if you could help us in supplying second hand routers, modem banks, computers so that we can have a test bed here in Druknet to try various R&D and also used them for training of staff and customers. > You had mentioned setting up the telecenter in a rural area a few months > ago. The Multipurpose Community Telecenter was decided during the WTDC at Buenos Aires sometime in 1993/94 and Bhutan was chosen to be one of the country for the pilot Project. However The telecenter really kick started only in 1998 with the assistance from ITU. The MCT is some what like a cybercafe where community can come and send e-mails, browse the net, make phone calls, send Fax and also photocopying services. It can also be used for training. The MCT is also implemented by Bhutan Telecom and is connected with a 64K lease line to DrukNet. People who uses the various services have to pay a minimum amount of money for the service used as it has to be self sustainable. Best Regards Jichen