Students at Royal Thimphu College (RTC) have expressed growing frustration over slow and unstable Wi-Fi services across campus, saying the issue has become a major obstacle in their academic and personal lives.
The concerns were raised after repeated reports of frequent disconnections and sluggish loading times in dormitories, classrooms, and the library places where students rely heavily on internet access. Although the college provides free Wi-Fi to all students and staff, many complain that the current system is unable to keep up with the increasing demand.
“Most of our modules require us to carry out online research, download academic materials, and attend video based lectures. When the Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting, we lose precious time,” said a third-year Communication Arts student. Another student explained that even sending emails or attending an online tutorial session can take several attempts before successfully connecting.
Students note that the problem becomes most severe during the evening hours, when the majority of the campus population is online at the same time. This peak-hour congestion has left many feeling disadvantaged, particularly as higher education in Bhutan increasingly depends on digital resources, e-learning platforms, and international collaborations.
In response, the college IT department acknowledged the issue, stating that the rapid rise in the number of connected devices is one of the main causes of network congestion. “The demand has grown significantly over the past few years, with every student now owning multiple devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets,” an IT staff member explained. “We are currently exploring bandwidth upgrades and additional access points to provide faster and more stable connections.”
The issue also raises broader questions about the role of digital infrastructure in Bhutanese higher education. As universities transition towards technology-based learning, stable internet connectivity has become a necessity rather than a luxury. Experts suggest that without reliable internet, students may face difficulties accessing online journals, submitting assignments on time, or participating in global academic discussions.
Despite the challenges, students remain hopeful that improvements will be made soon. “We understand that providing internet for such a large community is not easy, but with the growing dependence on digital learning, we expect the administration to prioritize this issue,” said one group of students from the Business Department.
For now, RTC is working toward technical upgrades that could ease the strain on the existing system. Until then, the student community continues to navigate the daily struggle of slow Wi-Fi, waiting for solutions that will better align with the academic and communication needs of campus life.
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