Telecom Services

Sikkim is stated to have the highest density of telephone network among the Indian states. The telecommunications network in the state was very limited prior to the setting up of the Sikkim Telecom Department under the West Bengal Circle of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in 2000. The expansion in the number of exchanges has increased the number of landlines from 3,000 in 1999 to 49,350 in 2004.

Many of these have been supplied under the PCO-booth scheme to unemployed people, to increase self-employment opportunities in the state. The Department has set up village public telephones (VPTs) in 374 of the 427 revenue villages. The remaining villages are too remote for cable or wireless in local loop (WLL ) systems. However, the Department plans to link them through satellite.

Mobile telephone services have also grown rapidly from their introduction to over 25000 lines in 2005. This was 14700 lines in 2004. Originally a monopoly of Reliance, mobile services have now been practically taken over by BSNL, which has 98 per cent of the market. At present mobile services are only available as far as Mangan in the North District, but a long-range switch is planned to extend services beyond this.

Telephone Connections, 2004:

Note: * is approximate figures

To match with the reopening of Nathu la trade route there has been a good attempt by the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to introduce cutting-edge telecom technology. This includes latest telecom facilities such as GPRS and VPN and also several turnkey projects which will ensure the connectivity of the state to in the wake of natural disasters such as a landslide or an earthquake. The installation of communication networks like IMARSAT terminals for security forces and other important state and Central agency wings are also in the anvil. GPRS will enable users to undertake high-rate data transfers from his mobile phone or laptop, it will also enable the service provider to monitor the movement of the user through the GPRS network. The virtual private network (VPN) will allow users to cut down on costs, by enabling them to availing an EPABX-like arrangement though mobile services.

Good telecommunications can help the state overcome some of the handicaps imposed by the mountainous terrain by increasing access, especially for those living in remote areas, to information, goods, and social and economic services. If managed effectively, it could deal with one of the major problems of the state – increasing urban migration, by improving self-employment prospects and giving industries some incentive to locate away from urban areas. The proliferation of community information centres (CICs), enabled by the expansion of the telecommunications network, could give a boost to other sectors such as tourism, horticulture and agriculture. At the macro-level, improved telecommunications helps the state integrate more closely with the rest of the country.

Source: Economic Survey of Sikkim 2006-07