Alcatel was awarded a turnkey contract for implementing a rural telecommunications network in Bhutan. The project, to be implemented before the end of 2006, will use microwave links and an Alcatel NGN softswitch to connect remote areas of the country, with some locations situated at elevation of up to 4,700 meters in the Himalayas. Some of the sites are situated 3-4 days walking distance from the nearest road. Each subscriber will be equipped with a solar cell, a telephone set and a small antenna able to receive data from a central radio base station in the village. Most of the sites will be powered by solar power.
The project is funded by DANIDA, the Danish development aid agency. The contract is valued at EUR 16 million. http://www.alcatel.com
