The previous 256 Kbps plans- there were two of them - have been eliminated, so there are now a total of three plans instead of five: 512 Kbps ("Home"), 1 Mbps ("Office"), and 2 Mbps ("Enterprise"). See table below. The postpaid plans have also been updated.
Package Name | Circuit Bandwidth | Tariff (Nn) | Data Limit | Validity | Nu/GB |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Home | Up to 512 Kbps | 399 | 2.5 GB | 30 days | 160 |
Office | Up to 1 Mbps | 1499 | 9.0 GB | 30 days | 167 |
Enterprise | Up to 2 Mbps | 2499 | 15.0 GB | 30 days | 167 |
The trend is positive: More bandwidth for the same price. If things work out nicely, it's a win-win situations for both consumers and BT. On the one hand, users will be able to download songs in half the time, and in general enjoy a smoother web surfing experience. Bhutan Telecom, on the other hand, should see an increase in revenues, as Nu 399 still gives you the same 2.5 GB, but with faster access consumers are bound to spend it more quickly.
My main concern is whether there is enough international capacity to avoid customer frustration. With most broadband users subscribing to the Nu 399 package, this means that the load that these users generate will increase. Since most Internet traffic is international, the load on the international lines is also bound to increase, and that will remain the bottleneck. Without a corresponding increase in international capacity, the lines may clog down.
One thing's for sure: It will be interesting to see how this change will affect Bhutan's ranking in the Download Index.
PS: Bhutan Telecom did a great job of disseminating this information. A coordinated announcement on the www.bt.bt webpage, a tweet, and a Facebook status update.