A: Tibet began to accelerate its post and telecommunications construction in the 1980s. It now has multiple, up-to-date post and telecommunications capabilities: 

 

Applied optical cable equipment: this has raised Tibet's telecommunication technology to a new height. The optical cable laying projects between Lhasa and Xigaze, Lhasa and Shannan were completed in August 1995. In 1996, the communication optical cable between Bainang and Gyangze in Xigaze Prefecture was constructed and put into use. By the end of August, 1999, Tibet had opened 558 kilometers of first-class and 848 kilometers of second-class long-distance trunk optical cable lines.

 

Long-distance telecommunication lines: In December 1981, the Lhasa-Xigaze long-distance communication supporting project-Quxu Maintenance Station-was constructed, and a three-channel carrier opened. Later, the Lhasa-Chengdu, Lhasa-Qamdo, and Qamdo-Chengdu wire carrier circuits were opened. A long-distance carrier circuit from Lhasa to Beijing and from Lhasa to other prefectures in Tibet was also put into use. In March 1988, the Lhasa-Xigaze wire telex circuit was opened and began operation.

 

Microwave communication: Microwave communication technology began to be applied to telephone service in rural areas in August 1993. The first digital microwave circuit in Tibet-from Bayi Town to Nyingchi county seat, was opened in April 1996, which filled the blank in digital microwave circuit in Tibet.

 

Mobile communication: Mobile communication mainly focuses on the construction of mobile phones and paging systems. In the early 1990s, paging systems were established successively in the capitals of Xigaze, Nyingchi, Shannan, Qamdo, Nagqu and Ngari prefectures. The Lhasa Telecommunications Bureau analogue mobile telephone system, and the mobile communications experimental system, based on Motorola's technology, and constructed by Xigaze Prefecture Post Office, were both put into operation at this time. In December 1999, Shiquanhe Town, the seat of Ngari Prefecture Administrative Office, opened the GSM mobile telephone system and achieved dual coverage of both analogue and digital networks. By May 2000, Tibet had an exchange capacity of 115,000 lines, of which, GSM exchange capacity accounted for 97,000 lines. There were 38,449 mobile telephone users, of which, GSM users accounted for 34,883; and 63 base stations, perceptibly raising the popularization rate of mobile telephones. People in Lhasa can now dial direct to anywhere in China, and to more than 180 countries and regions worldwide.

 

Lhasa operates express mail and EMS business with nearly 200 large and medium-sized cities in China. International mails are sent to neighboring countries via Zham of Xigaze, and Yadong County.