Telecommunication facilities are available across the country although overseas mobile phones will not operate. If constant communication is required we recommend use of a satellite telephone. With the introduction of internet to Bhutan in 1999, visitors can also access internet facilities in all major towns and cities.

Postal Service:

The Bhutanese postal system is slow but extremely reliable. As of 199, postcards for all destinations except India , Nepal and Bhutan require a 9 Nu. Stamp. Letters for Europe require 15 Nu, for Asia 9 Nu., for America 16 Nu, and for India , Nepal or Bhutan 50 Chetrum. A letter takes about ten days to reach Europe , one week to Japan and three weeks to America . Package (up to 5 kg or 11 lb.) should be sent by registered mail. DHL and other courier services also now operate from Thimpu.

Telephone Service:

There is a public telex and fax in Thimpu, in addition to telex and fax lines used by government offices.

Internet Services:

Several Internet cafes and communication centers have opened up in the Valley and around the country in the past few years. Visitors only have to find a place they are most comfortable in to use the facilities to keep in touch with home. E-mail and Internet services are also offered by hotels.

Electricity:

Bhutan's electricity is 220 V but it is erratic.

Media:

The Kuensel , a newspaper of a government-owned corporation, circulates biweekly in Dzongkha, English and Nepali. Beginning in April 2006, it competes with The Bhutan Times , Bhutan's first government-authorized privately owned newspaper. In late 2006, another private newspaper, The Bhutan Observer began publication.

Bhutan has about 15,000 Internet users, 25,200 landline subscribers, and 23,000 mobile phone subscribers. The Bhutan Broadcasting Service was established in 1973 as a radio service, broadcasting in short wave nationally, and on the FM band in Thimphu . The service started television broadcasts in 1999, making Bhutan the last country in the world to introduce television. As part of the King's modernization program, cable television was introduced shortly after. By 2002, however, the crime rate had increased appreciably, and the introduction of cable television is alleged to be responsible for the spurt in crime.

Bhutanese lama Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche is a well-known filmmaker, who produced and directed The Cup as well as Travellers and Magicians . While The Cup was shot in a Tibetan monastery in northern India , Travellers and Magicians was the first feature film to be filmed entirely in Bhutan , with a cast comprised entirely of Bhutanese people. No professional actors were used in either film.

People working in media in Bhutan receive short term journalism training from Britain , The Netherlands, India and Singapore .