Myanmar
Past.
Telecommunications infrastructure was weak before the market was liberalized and regulated. Fixed line services were available only in larger towns and the main cities. Mobile SIM cards used to cost as much as USD1,800 and are limited in supply. Mobile phone coverage and data services were available mainly in the major cities of Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw. Quality of voice calls were at best patchy and mobile data access was practically non-existent. Myanmar was then regarded as one of the last frontier of mobile network service globally.
Present.
The 4 mobile network operators cover most parts of Myanmar. SIM cards now cost less than USD1. There are now about 25,000 towers owned by network operators and tower companies with an average tenancy ratio of 1.4 (as of April 2021) and 56 million subscribers representing a mobile phone penetration of 110%.
Future.
With 4 very competitive mobile network operators and an ever expanding fiber optic network across the country, internet access is about to get more affordable, more reliable and faster. With the next phases of roll-out reaching sparsely populated areas rural areas, Myanmar can look forward to universal mobile and data access in the near future. With the consolidation of tower companies, the tower industry in Myanmar looks set to become more efficient and sustainable.