Broadband recharge cards

If you're using prepaid Broadband from Bhutan Telecom, you probably need to recharge the account from time to time (by the way, to carry over your balance - if you have one - you must recharge before the 30-day expiration date).

Although most people still recharge by visiting one of the Bhutan Telecom offices, there is a another little-known option: Broadband recharge cards. There are 5 card denominations, according to the various prepaid packages (Nu 399, 799, 1199, 1799, and 2499). You can buy the cards at the BT office or one-stop-shop, and then use them as required. To recharge your account, you go to BT Broadband account management page, log in, and click on Recharge Cards. You then enter the recharge card username and password (printed on the back of the card) and your account is automagically recharged.

Although a useful feature, there are two caveats with Broadband recharge cards that you need to keep in mind:

• You need an active Internet connection to recharge your card. So if you're at home and cannot access the Internet because your account expired (or you're out of balance), you won't be able to use the card. In that case, you'll need to use an alternative Internet connection (e.g., at the office, using a friend's connection, mobile Internet etc). That's a shame. Imagine not being to recharge a mobile phone account when it's out of balance! I would expect Bhutan Telecom to make the account management page available to Broadband users with expired accounts, so users will be able to recharge their accounts.
• Some of the cards are "mis-printed". I discovered that yesterday. I tried to recharge my account, but got the following message "Invalid Card User Name / Password". Apparently, there was a missing character in the password. If this happens, call 02-322678, extension 205, and they will be able to help you.