Monday, June 29, 2009

Myanmar: Another 22 GSM base station will expand coverage, though the network supports only 400,000 users

[bernama] The Myanmar telecommunication authorities will add 33 more GSM radio stations in the biggest city of Yangon to expand GSM coverage amid increasing usage of mobile phones in the city.

The project, to be completed at the end of this year, will be launched by local private companies on competitive tender system, reports Xinhua news agency citing the local weekly Flower News on Monday.

Meanwhile, the country has planned to introduce 80,000 more GSM mobile phone lines during this year, in a bid to enhance telecommunication services.

According to the state-run Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT), the number of GSM mobile phones across Myanmar hit 392,800 in 2008, up from 211,812 in 2007.

GSM phones have been extensively used in Myanmar since it was introduced in 2002 after cellular ones in 1993 and the DECT ( Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication) and CDMA in 1997.

According to the MPT, GSM phones in Myanmar can auto-roam over two dozen townships far up to the border areas and mainly cover all other major cities in addition to Yangon and Mandalay.

Moreover, Myanmar is making efforts to introduce world's up-to- date audio-visual mobile phone in the country for the first time to upgrade its telecommunication links.

The upgraded system will be based on the existing GSM network, the authorities said, adding that the introduction of 3-G WCDMA system represents Myanmar's entry into a new phase of its mobile phone system.

Moreover, Myanmar has planned full coverage of public access centers (PAC) in every township in the country by the end of this year to facilitate communication links.

There has been over 400 PAC opened in 44 townships in Myanmar since 2004.

According to the telecommunications authorities, the number of internet users in Myanmar has reached over 300,000, up from merely dozens in four years ago.

Myanmar To Add More GSM Radio Stations

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