When you travel aboard, staying in contact with others might be always a significant challenge. The fact that most phone operators haven’t been roaming agreement with 1 or 2 Bhutanese network providers or even If they have, the price might be costly. Hence, having a Bhutan SIM card for yourself is the best way to stay in contact and have a big deal of money. If you are going to enjoy Bhutan tours from India and still do not know how to get your own a mobile SIM card, this article will help you out by providing an overview of the 2 popular Network Providers in Bhutan.
SIM Card & Network Providers in Bhutan
Bmobile – Bhutan Telecom
This network provider is run by the Government and also is the leading one of telecommunications and internet services in Bhutan. They offer 3 data servicing packages that include 2G is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G on 850 MHz, and finally is 4G/LTE on 1800 MHz Additionally, 4G/LTE is now available in Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Wangdue, and Phuentsholing. People can also convert their current SIM to 4G free to cost. Also, by providing satellite telephone using the Thuria system, Bhutan Telecom can allow any direct dialing from anywhere in the country, even in remote areas.
Where to Buy Bmobile SIM Card in Bhutan
You can easily get a Bhutan prepaid mobile SIM card right after arriving at Paro International Airport, by showing them your passport and filling up a form. The Bhutan Telecom counter will be right beside the money exchange counters when you completely finish immigration procedures. Now, you can own a Bhutan SIM card.
Because, in Bhutan, they do not have any Micro or Nano-SIM so that you might cut it to fit your phone. If you don’t know, there are two types of SIM cards which are Tourist SIM and Prepaid SIM. They are both sold for BTN. 100. But, there will be major cons of the tourist SIM since it is only available for a month and is not able to extend or no data packages can be active on it.
Default Data Rate of Bmobile
- Pay/ use rate:
- Flat rate: BTN. 0.1 per 50KB
- For tourist SIM: BTN. 0.3 per MB
Data Feature Packages of Bmobile
| Package | Data Value | Validity | Price |
| Daily 19 | 170 MB | A day | BTN. 19 |
| Daily 29 | 265 MB | A day | BTN. 29 |
| Weekly 39 | 335 MB | A week | BTN. 39 |
| Weekly 49 | 425 MB | A week | BTN. 49 |
| Monthly 99 | 860 MB | A month | BTN. 99 |
| Monthly 199 | 1770 MB | A month | BTN. 199 |
| Monthly 299 | 2910 MB | A month | BTN. 299 |
| Monthly 499 | 5370 MB | A month | BTN. 499 |
| Monthly 699 | 14500 MB | A month | BTN. 699 |
| Monthly 799 | 17500 MB | A month | BTN. 799 |
| Monthly 999 | 24600 MB | A month | BTN. 999 |
| Monthly 1199 | 32000 MB | A month | BTN. 1999 |
Please note that the Tourist SIM is not available these data packages above
Users can check these plans via B-wallet or eLoad. For those using prepaid recharge SIM cards, they automatically subscribe to these plans. By dialing *170# you can check the package. After dialing this code, the main information as account balance, data package in MB and SMS count at no cost will be shown.
TashiCell
The only private-mobile network provider in Bhutan – TashiCell is run by Tashi Info COMM Ltd. This sort of SIM Card coverage is lower than B-mobile on 2G and 3G. This provider also provides 4G data, but it is still not so common. TashiCell SIM card is available in Thimphu, Paro, Wangdue, Punakha, and Phuentsholing.
Where to Buy TashiCell SIM Card in Bhutan
By purchasing in their Customer Care Centers (9:00 AM – 4:30 PM in winter) and ( 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM in summer), you can own the TashiCell SIM card. Each SIM card costs BTN. 200 then if you currently have its SIM card, you can convert it to 4G without any cost.
There are two top-ups in total in which both vouchers and E-top-up are available. For those using the voucher, type *77* <14digi code># AND E-top-up, you are able to add any amount from BTN. 10 to 500 which gives 15-120 days available and getting 5% bonus. You can check the balance by dialing *770#
Default Data Rate of TashiCell
- TashiCell provides different pay/ use rate from each time of the day:
- 7 am to 12 midnight: BTN. 0.0006/ KB (BTN. 0.6 per/ MB)
- 12 midnight to 7 am: BTN. 0.0002 per KB (BTN0.2 per MB)
Data Feature Packages of TashiCell
| Duration | Data Value | Price | Activation | Overuse Cost |
| A day | 100 MB | BTN. 19 | *766*1*1# | NU. 0.5/MB |
| A week | 340 MB | BTN. 49 | *766*1*2# | NU. 0.5/MB |
|
A month |
800 MB | BTN. 99 | *766*1*3# | NU. 0.4/MB |
| 1700 MB | BTN. 199 | *766*1*8# | NU. 0.4/MB | |
| 2700 MB | BTN. 299 | *766*1*4# | NU. 0.3/MB | |
| 5000 MB | BTN. 499 | *766*1*6# | NU. 0.3/MB | |
| 15000 MB | BTN. 777 | *766*1*5# | NU. 0.2/MB | |
| 30000 MB | BTN. 1299 | *766*1*7# | NU. 0.2/MB |
In order to subscribe, please dial *766*1# then all packages will automatically be renewed. In order to unsubscribe, dial *766*2#. Dialing *766*4# to check data.
Useful Tips for Indian Travelers When Using Bhutan SIM Cards
- The official language of Bhutan is Dzongkha. Surely you don’t know this language, as it’s unique to the locals. For convenient travel, make sure that you have yourselves Google Translate for your phone before traveling as it would be helpful. However, no worries as more than 90% of the population in Bhutan can speak English.
- SIM Card in Bhutan is called a chip or SIM.
- Do not hesitate to ask the seller to set up the SIM Card for you, they are always willing to help you out. Or you can just simply follow the instructions that we have highlighted above or even find the way to the official operator website to seek advice.
- Because towns of Bhutan are centralized and get busy quickly, go to the shops early, that way you are more likely to receive better assistance as well as avoid the crowds!