Infrastructure and access
- Backbone / Backhaul / Middle-Mile Infrastructure7
- Fiber / Fixed Broadband Infrastructure7
- Infrastructure Planning / Mapping / Funding3
- Data Center / Cloud Infrastructure2
- Institutional / School Connectivity Infrastructure2
Digital Divide Country Profile · Asia
BT
Bhutan
Closing the digital divide, expanding meaningful connectivity, and advancing digital education and workforce participation.
Location in the world
Bhutan
Asia
Bhutan🇧🇹
- Population (2024)
- 791,524
- Total area
- 38,394 km²
- Area in square miles
- 14,824 mi²
- Coastline
- Landlocked · 0 km
National digital inclusion context
A portfolio-based view of access, capability, and outcomes.
This profile organizes the initiatives directly connected to Bhutan in the global research inventory. It follows the study's country-profile framework: national context, broadband infrastructure, inclusion practices, education and workforce connections, implementation actors, and intended contribution.
The documented portfolio emphasizes Backbone / Backhaul / Middle-Mile Infrastructure, Fiber / Fixed Broadband Infrastructure, Infrastructure Planning / Mapping / Funding, Fiber/Fiber Optic, Data Center/Centre. The profile treats infrastructure, affordability, capability, institutions, support, and outcomes as an interconnected system.
Portfolio pattern
What the documented response contains.
Counts reflect source-workbook tags. One initiative may appear in multiple infrastructure or technology categories.
Specific technologies
- Fiber/Fiber Optic7
- Data Center/Centre2
- Campus internet, digital content, and cybersecurity tools1
- Cloud Computing1
- Digital Identity / e-ID1
Intervention classification
- Infrastructure and Specific Technology9
- Infrastructure only3
- Neither explicitly identified2
- School connectivity, content, and teacher-capacity initiative1
- Specific Technology only1
Education and workforce
Connectivity becomes consequential through participation.
5 initiatives explicitly connect to education, K–12, or college/university contexts, and 1 connect to workforce development. Other investments may enable these outcomes indirectly.
Networks, service availability, devices, and connection quality.
Skills, confidence, accessibility, navigation, and support.
Education, work, health, government, and civic opportunity.
Governance, operations, maintenance, funding, and learning.
Project and initiative portfolio
16 documented records
Every directly tagged record is shown with details and supporting URLs preserved from the research workbook.
01International backbone resilience
Additional International Connectivity via Gelephu/Bangladesh Route
Confirmed / diversification effort · Gelephu / Bangladesh route through IndiaView details
International backbone resilience
Additional International Connectivity via Gelephu/Bangladesh Route
Confirmed / diversification effort · Gelephu / Bangladesh route through IndiaStatus / periodConfirmed / diversification effortLocationGelephu / Bangladesh route through IndiaPopulationNational Internet users and operatorsOrganizationsGovTech; operators; regional partners
Diversifies Bhutan’s international capacity beyond the Siliguri-dependent routes, improving resilience and affordability potential.
Activities and approach: Cross-border fiber/international capacity
02School connectivity, content, and teacher-capacity initiative
Bhutan EU–UNICEF Digitalisation in Education Pilot
Three-year pilot active in 2026 · Ten pilot schools across BhutanView details
School connectivity, content, and teacher-capacity initiative
Bhutan EU–UNICEF Digitalisation in Education Pilot
Three-year pilot active in 2026 · Ten pilot schools across BhutanStatus / periodThree-year pilot active in 2026LocationTen pilot schools across BhutanPopulationMore than 6,000 students and 400 teachers in pilot schoolsOrganizationsBhutan Ministry of Education and Skills Development; European Union; UNICEFFunding€1 million; 10 schools; more than 6,000 students and 400 teachers
combining campus-wide internet, digital content, teacher training, and cybersecurity
Activities and approach: School connectivity, digital content, teacher training, cybersecurity, and network-maintenance training
EducationK–12Workforce
03Digital identity
Bhutan National Digital Identity (NDI)
Launched 2023; expanding · Nationwide and Bhutanese abroadView details
Digital identity
Bhutan National Digital Identity (NDI)
Launched 2023; expanding · Nationwide and Bhutanese abroadStatus / periodLaunched 2023; expandingLocationNationwide and Bhutanese abroadPopulationCitizens needing secure online authenticationOrganizationsGovTech Agency; DHI
Enables privacy-preserving authentication for public and private digital services.
Activities and approach: Mobile/decentralized digital ID
04International research connectivity
DrukREN 5 Gbps International Research Link via India
Operational · Bhutan–IndiaView details
International research connectivity
DrukREN 5 Gbps International Research Link via India
Operational · Bhutan–IndiaStatus / periodOperationalLocationBhutan–IndiaPopulationEducation and research usersOrganizationsGovTech; DrukREN; National Knowledge Network India
Provides dedicated international capacity for Bhutan’s research and education community.
Activities and approach: 5 Gbps international link
Education
05Research/education backbone
DrukREN National 10 Gbps Research and Education Backbone
Operational · All 20 DzongkhagsView details
Research/education backbone
DrukREN National 10 Gbps Research and Education Backbone
Operational · All 20 DzongkhagsStatus / periodOperationalLocationAll 20 DzongkhagsPopulationSchools, universities, research institutes and hospitalsOrganizationsGovTech; DrukREN
Provides high-capacity national research and education connectivity outside ordinary retail broadband.
Activities and approach: Multiple 10 Gbps national backbone
EducationK–12College / university
06School broadband
DrukREN School 1 Gbps Connectivity Programme
Operational · Schools across multiple districtsView details
School broadband
DrukREN School 1 Gbps Connectivity Programme
Operational · Schools across multiple districtsStatus / periodOperationalLocationSchools across multiple districtsPopulationStudents and teachersOrganizationsGovTech; DrukREN
Provides participating schools with gigabit-class connections for digital learning.
Activities and approach: 1 Gbps school connections
EducationK–12
07Cloud/data-centre infrastructure
Government Cloud and Multi-Site Data-Centre Operations
Operational/ongoing · Thimphu, Bumthang and GovTech sitesView details
Cloud/data-centre infrastructure
Government Cloud and Multi-Site Data-Centre Operations
Operational/ongoing · Thimphu, Bumthang and GovTech sitesStatus / periodOperational/ongoingLocationThimphu, Bumthang and GovTech sitesPopulationGovernment agencies and citizensOrganizationsGovTech Agency
Provides shared hosting and backup capacity for government systems.
Activities and approach: Government cloud; primary/mini/backup data centres
08Data-centre infrastructure
Government Data Centre Modernization under ACCESS
Procurement 2026 · Thimphu Government Data CentreView details
Data-centre infrastructure
Government Data Centre Modernization under ACCESS
Procurement 2026 · Thimphu Government Data CentreStatus / periodProcurement 2026LocationThimphu Government Data CentrePopulationCitizens and government digital servicesOrganizationsGovTech Agency; World Bank
Adds servers and storage capacity for resilient digital public services.
Activities and approach: Servers; storage; data-centre networking
09Government broadband
GovNet 1,200-Agency Government Network
Operational · NationwideView details
Government broadband
GovNet 1,200-Agency Government Network
Operational · NationwideStatus / periodOperationalLocationNationwidePopulationCitizens and 1,200 government agenciesOrganizationsGovTech Agency
Connects government agencies to shared high-capacity infrastructure supporting online services.
Activities and approach: Government network; 10 Gbps aggregate subscription
10Institution last-mile broadband
GovNet Last-Mile Fiber and Connectivity Service
Ongoing · Government agencies and institutionsView details
Institution last-mile broadband
GovNet Last-Mile Fiber and Connectivity Service
Ongoing · Government agencies and institutionsStatus / periodOngoingLocationGovernment agencies and institutionsPopulationPublic agencies and service usersOrganizationsGovTech Agency
Establishes and maintains last-mile fiber links to agencies that need government-network access.
Activities and approach: Last-mile fiber; LAN/WAN
11National fiber backbone
National Broadband Master Plan Implementation Project
Implemented / ongoing O&M · 20 dzongkhags and gewogs nationwideView details
National fiber backbone
National Broadband Master Plan Implementation Project
Implemented / ongoing O&M · 20 dzongkhags and gewogs nationwideStatus / periodImplemented / ongoing O&MLocation20 dzongkhags and gewogs nationwidePopulationRural communities, public institutions, telecom usersOrganizationsRoyal Government of Bhutan; GovTech Agency/DITT; Bhutan Power Corporation
Built a national fiber backbone extending connectivity to district and local administrative centers, creating infrastructure for affordable broadband delivery.
Activities and approach: OPGW/ADSS fiber; national backbone; access network to gewogs; infrastructure sharing.
12Public-institution connectivity
National Fiber Connectivity to Schools, BHUs and Government Offices
Ongoing use of national fiber network · Schools, Basic Health Units and government offices nationwideView details
Public-institution connectivity
National Fiber Connectivity to Schools, BHUs and Government Offices
Ongoing use of national fiber network · Schools, Basic Health Units and government offices nationwideStatus / periodOngoing use of national fiber networkLocationSchools, Basic Health Units and government offices nationwidePopulationStudents, educators, healthcare users and rural public-service usersOrganizationsGovTech Agency; telecom operators; schools; health facilities
Uses the national fiber network to connect public institutions, extending the practical benefits of backbone investment to education, health and government services.
Activities and approach: Fiber connections; public-institution broadband; shared national fiber infrastructure.
EducationK–12
13International broadband gateway / backbone resilience
Phuentsholing International Gateway under National Broadband Master Plan
Implemented component · PhuentsholingView details
International broadband gateway / backbone resilience
Phuentsholing International Gateway under National Broadband Master Plan
Implemented component · PhuentsholingStatus / periodImplemented componentLocationPhuentsholingPopulationNational internet users and service providersOrganizationsRoyal Government of Bhutan; Bhutan Power Corporation; GovTech Agency
Adds international gateway capacity and supports separation of international/local traffic, improving network performance and resilience.
Activities and approach: SDH equipment; international gateway; traffic segregation.
14Backbone redundancy and regional connectivity
Regional Telecommunications Connectivity Feasibility Initiative
World Bank-funded feasibility / planning · National / international gatewaysView details
Backbone redundancy and regional connectivity
Regional Telecommunications Connectivity Feasibility Initiative
World Bank-funded feasibility / planning · National / international gatewaysStatus / periodWorld Bank-funded feasibility / planningLocationNational / international gatewaysPopulationTelecom operators and users needing more resilient international connectivityOrganizationsGovTech Agency/DITT; World Bank
Assesses a third international gateway, domestic redundancy and fiber monitoring/O&M improvements to strengthen reliable broadband access.
Activities and approach: Feasibility study; third international gateway; redundancy; fiber monitoring; O&M planning.
15Government fiber backbone
Thimphu Wide Area Network Extension to 20 Dzongkhags
Operational / legacy expanded · Thimphu and all 20 district administrationsView details
Government fiber backbone
Thimphu Wide Area Network Extension to 20 Dzongkhags
Operational / legacy expanded · Thimphu and all 20 district administrationsStatus / periodOperational / legacy expandedLocationThimphu and all 20 district administrationsPopulationPublic agencies and community-service usersOrganizationsGovTech Agency
Extends the government intranet from Thimphu to every district administration.
Activities and approach: Optical fiber; P2P links
16Wireless broadband planning
Wireless Broadband Masterplan for Bhutan
Completed study / implementation guide · National, with relevance to remote areasView details
Wireless broadband planning
Wireless Broadband Masterplan for Bhutan
Completed study / implementation guide · National, with relevance to remote areasStatus / periodCompleted study / implementation guideLocationNational, with relevance to remote areasPopulationCommunities not efficiently reached by fiberOrganizationsRoyal Government of Bhutan; ITU; GovTech Agency
Provides a national plan for wireless broadband, complementing fiber and supporting connectivity to hard-to-reach locations.
Activities and approach: Wireless broadband planning; spectrum/technology strategy; ITU technical assistance.
Evidence boundary
Read the portfolio as a starting point, not a final verdict.
Project records document interventions and intended contributions; they do not alone prove nationwide coverage, causal impact, or durable closure.
Profiles will deepen as national statistics, policy documents, evaluations, and implementation evidence are incorporated. Source links allow inspection of underlying evidence.
Evidence and contextProfile Sources+
These sources support the country-level demographic, geographic, and connectivity context. Sources tied to individual projects remain with their project records and are not repeated here.
- Central Intelligence Agency. (n.d.). Bhutan. The World Factbook. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/bhutan/
- International Telecommunication Union. (n.d.). ITU DataHub: Country ICT data. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://datahub.itu.int/
- World Bank. (n.d.). Individuals using the Internet (% of population): Bhutan. World Development Indicators. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS?locations=BT
- World Bank. (n.d.). Population, total: Bhutan. World Development Indicators. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=BT