Telecoms & IT
From The Report: Myanmar 2016
View in Online Reader

Hailed as the last true telecoms greenfield in Asia, Myanmar’s communications sector has radically evolved in recent years. An impressive number of international companies – a total of 91 – competed for two operating licenses in 2013. Telecommunications development remains a fundamental pillar in the evolution of Myanmar’s economy, and it supports the development of the other sectors, particularly financial services. Network expansion initiatives will remain a dominant force behind foreign investment and job creation for the foreseeable future. Telecoms infrastructure spending is set to increase as border coverage grows and demand continues to rise. The growth of the IT sector has been partly overshadowed by the liberalisation of the telecoms industry. However, the arrival of major international telecoms players has opened up significant new opportunities for Myanmar’s expanding market. Yet this has also put some strain on the country’s internet capacity as a population of more than 51m gradually gains access to the web, mostly for the first time, on their mobile phones. This chapter contains interviews with U Sai Saw Lin Tun, Chairman, Myanmar Post and Telecoms; Liman Zhang, Managing Director, Huawei; and Philippe Luxcey, Managing Director, Apollo Towers Myanmar.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Powering ahead: Myanmar is witnessing a massive increase in demand for mobile communications
OBG
plus

Myanmar’s telecoms sector is in the midst of an energetic expansion, which is reshaping the economic and social composition of the country. The arrival of international mobile network operators (MNOs) in the autumn of 2014 is expanding the ICT market well beyond its former capacities, with an array of new technologies that are dramatically changing the landscape of the country. Rapid Growth Hailed as the last true telecoms greenfield in Asia, Myanmar’s communications sector has radically evolved…

Interview

New territories: OBG talks to U Sai Saw Lin Tun, Chairman, Myanmar Post and Telecoms (MPT)
OBG
plus

Interview:U Sai Saw Lin Tun With ASEAN Economic Community integration nearing, what elements have been identified to improve Myanmar’s ICT capabilities? SAI SAW LIN TUN: Priorities for the improvement of ICT capabilities in Myanmar include the transfer of global technology, knowledge, skills, experiences and an international standard of governance to local companies and workforces. Local operators can contribute by training internal human resources and collaborating with other companies…

Interview

Progress and partnership: OBG talks to Liman Zhang, Managing Director, Huawei
OBG
plus

Interview:Liman Zhang How has the government worked to develop and advance the capacity and quality of the telecommunications sector? LIMAN ZHANG: In terms of the ICT industry, the government has taken an important step in developing the sector. The announcement of the first draft of the ICT master plan at the Myanmar Connect forum in September 2015 was a welcomed initiative that demonstrates the government’s commitment. The plan is very clear and will assist the industry from an investment…

Analysis

Boiling point: The sector attempts to balance affordability and sustainability
OBG
plus

The expansion of Myanmar’s ICT sector is one of the brightest spots in an economy that has undergone rapid transformation in recent years. The increasing demand for data has caught operators off guard. Norway’s Telenor initially launched a combination 2G and 3G network in the anticipation that a good percentage of users would not have 3G capable phones. However, with a growing number of affordable smart phones entering the market and reasonably priced SIM cards – which were once priced as high…

Interview

Towering expansion: OBG talks to Philippe Luxcey, Managing Director, Apollo Towers Myanmar
OBG
plus

Interview:Philippe Luxcey What made Myanmar an attractive destination, and what challenges have you encountered? PHILIPPE LUXCEY: It was quite simple. We chose a greenfield market for our business. There was only one monopolistic operator, Myanmar Post and Telecoms (MPT), with a very limited number of sites. The government decided to award two licences in a very short period. It was a perfect opportunity to set up a tower company and start our business from scratch. Currently, we have two…

Overview

Making connections: Major developments are under way as the sector seeks to improve internet capacity and IT training
OBG
plus

The growth of the IT sector has been partly overshadowed by the liberalisation of the telecoms industry. However, the arrival of major international telecoms players has opened up significant new opportunities for Myanmar’s expanding tech market. Yet this has also put some strain on the country’s internet capacity as a population of more than 51m gradually gains access to the web, mostly for the first time, on their mobile phones. The evolution of Myanmar’s telecoms industry has amplified…