BBS Annual Report 2007

Bhutan Broadcasting Service Annual Report 2007 is now available for download using this link :

http://www.bbs.com.bt/annualreport07.pdf

Lot of interesting info & photo's of BBS, there is a photo of 100 kW SW Txer at Sangaygang,Thimpu on Page 10.

Excerpts from the Annual Report .....

TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT

Technical Department continued to upgrade and strengthen BBS's technical capacity to gather and disseminate news and programmes. New satellite technologies were successfully introduced and effectively used particularly during the mock elections and the National Council elections.

The following FM and Television transmitters were installed to enhance our Radio and TV transmission in 2007:
- 150W TV Transmitter installed at Yonphula,
- 500 W FM Transmitter and 150 Watts VHF TV Transmitter at Jabjey, Paro
- 500 W FM Transmitter and 150 Watts VHF TV Transmitter at Saureni, Samtse
- 500 W FM Transmitter and 150 Watts VHF TV Transmitter at Thonphu Gompa, Pema Gatshel
- 500 W FM Transmitter at Rameytay, Phuentsholing (accordingly the 1 KW FM Transmitter at Takti which serviced Phuentsholing was replaced with 5 watts solar powered FM Transposer to counter frequent power surge)
- 250 Watts FM Transmitter at Bumthang
- 100 Kilo Watt shortwave transmitter with Digital Radio Mondale (DRM) capability was commissioned.

With these installations most of Trashigang, some part of Mongar, most of Pemagatshel and Samtse dzongkhag could receive live TV signal for the first time using simple Yagi antenna. Similarly FM signal was strengthened in Bumthang, Pemagatshel, Paro, Chukha and Samtse. With the commissioning of the 100 KW shortwave transmitters, the Bhutanese population is able to listen to very high quality reception through short wave radio. Integration work for BBS/Kuzoo FM Audio was done using Multi Channel Per Carrier (MCPC) system. With this BBS satellite system could handle more FM audio for linking with remote stations.The BBS earth station is now transmitting three channels (BBS TV, BBS Radio and Kuzoo FM) through a single carrier of 6 MHz bandwidth via satellite.

The construction of the new TV centre with assistance from the Government of India continued during this period. Work for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of two digital studio and automation facilities for the new TV centre was awarded to M/s Essel Shyam Technologies Ltd. Noida, India. Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) terminals, provided under Government of Japan grant aid, were used for the first time and enabled live reports from different places especially during the mock elections and NC elections. The project for installation of Television Receive Only (TVRO) systems at 172 geogs was signed. The project is funded by the Government of Japan through UNDP as part of institutional and human capacity building in preparation for the first ever democratic elections. Through this project, all 172 geogs in the country which have no access to the television network will be able to receive BBS TV signal. Phase II of JICA Technical Cooperation project started from September 2007 after the arrival of new JICA Expert. This new project will bring support to BBS in the form of content development and training along with some short term consultancies. Under Grant Aid from the Government of Japan, the basic design team finalized the main components of the project as follows:

1. Purchase of 1 4WD Satellite News Gathering Van
2. Setting up of Master Control System
3. Establishment of transmission system for Bureaus using Bhutan Telecom link
4. Purchase of News and Production Equipment for Bureaus
5. Purchase of Equipment for Continuity Studio
6. Purchase of Maintenance Equipment and Tools
Five BBS regional bureaus are included in the project: Kanglung, Jakar, Wangdue Phodrang, Paro and Phuentsholing.