Mobile, Internet charges to drop in two years: ministry

Only 7 per cent of citizens now use mobile phones, while Internet penetration is just above 1 per cent, some of the lowest rates in Asia. This is in part due to expensive costs of calls and excessive government regulation. 

“Billing charges are expensive if we compare them to Myanmar’s GDP per capita which is under US$1,000 [Bt30,430],” said Thaung Tin.

Most developing countries have had to make mobile services affordable to the general population until usage climbs above 30 per cent, after which the sector can gain momentum.

“We are targeting a mobile-phone density of 50 per cent in two and a half years. We will give licences to operators who can provide the best and most reliable services,” said Thaung Tin. 

The deputy minister also discussed making Internet services as cheap as possible, especially in rural areas. 

“In rural areas, Internet access has to be cheap or free of charge,” Thaung Tin said.

The Ministry will announce the name of two operators this month among 12 companies that submitted applications to compete for the remaining two operator licences.

 

Rakhine locals object to MSF clinics for Bengalis

Residents of Myrauk-U Township in Rakhine State have objected to plans by the Netherlands-based Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) to open clinics for Bengali patients. MSF director Richard Kinder held a meeting with township administrator Ye Win, officials of other governmental departments, town elders and members of social organisations at Myrauk-U General Administration Office on May 29. During the meeting, Kinder sought approval from local authorities to open clinics in Myrauk-U town and Shantaung village and to use their jetty to transfer the Bengali patients from the villages to Myrauk-U town. The local people refused the request and objected to the move, according to Aung Soe Myint who attended the meeting. Locals objected use of their jetty by MSF for fear it would increase the number of Bengalis in the area. MSF started running clinics in the town five months ago, said Aung Soe Myint.

MSF is currently the only organisation providing medical aid to Bengali patients in the area. 

 

Petrol prices soar in border areas

Petrol prices are rising in border townships due to the weakening of the kyat against stronger foreign currencies, according to local importers. The price of one litre of octane or diesel is now 4,000 kyats, up from about 3,000 kyats a few months ago. Local importers said the cost for them is now around 3,200 to 3,400 kyats per litre.

Myanmar has imported 7,850 tonnes of petroleum oil through its China and Thailand borders in the first two months of this fiscal year.

The majority of the imported fuel comes from Thailand. Muse, Chinshwehaw, Tachileik, Myeik, Myawaddy are the major border transit points for oil.

Over 4,400 tonnes of diesel and 382 tonnes of petrol were imported through Myeik township, and 1,334 tonnes of diesel and 1,044 tonnes through Tachileik township.