Myanmar

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Brief About Myanmar

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar, commonly shortened to Myanmar.

Geography

The total land area of 676,577 square kilometre
International borders of 5858 Kilometer with Bangladesh, India, China, Thailand and Laos
total coastal line length 2832kilometer
2090 kilometre (north to south )and 925 kilometres (east to west )

Topography

50% of mountains and forests (northern and eastern)

Population

Over 51.49 million Population
135 ethnic groups
Seven states and seven Regions
70% of the population lived in rural areas and occupied in agriculture sectors

Natural Resources

Rice, minerals, teak, hardwood forest, onshore and offshore oil fields, and precious stones such as rubies, jade sapphires, and pearls with the highest quality

Telecommunications Sector Reform

Policy Reform

The Myanmar Telegraph Act 1885, The Myanmar Wireless Telegraph Act 1934 –> Telecommunications Law 2013
Telecommunication Service License (Chapter III of Telecommunication Law) –> Anyone who is willing to provide telecommunications facilities and/or telecommunication services shall apply for permission and license

Key Objectives of Licensing Regime

Promote competition and liberalization of the telecom sector in Myanmar
Ensure transparency in market entrance
Establish technology-and-service neutral approach to licensing
Ensure non-discriminatory treatment of similarly situated licensees

Laws and Regulations


Sr. No	Name	Issued Date
1.	Telecommunication Law	8-10-2013
2.	Licensing Rules	14-10-2014
3.	Interconnection Rules	6-1-2015
4.	Competition Rules	9-6-2015
5.	Numbering Rules	3-12-2015
6.	Spectrum Rules	7-3-2015

Licensing Framework Multi-service licensing framework ° to simplify licensing

Processes ° encourage entry and expansion of services and ° increase End-User access to Telecommunications Networks and Telecommunications Services.

License Type NFS (I) NS AS NFS (C)

Maximum of two Telecommunications Service Licenses NFS (C) + NS OR AS

Licensing Category

NFS license (not exhaustive)

Terrestrial fixed-line and radio transmission
Submarine cable facilities
Satellite earth station facilities
Mobile base station facilities and passive infrastructure to deploy networks

NS license (not exhaustive)

Wireline connectivity services
Terrestrial wireless connectivity services
Satellite uplink/downlink connectivity services
International and domestic network transport and switching services
International gateway services

AS license (not exhaustive)

Public payphone services
Public switched data services
Audio text hosting services provided on an opt-in basis
Directory services
Internet service provider services
Messaging services and Value-added services

NFS(C) (not exhaustive)

Towers, masts, ducts
Trenches and poles
Dark fibre

Type of License and Licensees


Sr.	Type of License	Number of Licensees
1.	Nationwide Telecommunications License	2	2	4
2.	Network Facilities Service (Individual) License (NFS-I)	35	11	46
3.	Network Facilities Service (Class) License (NFS-C)	25	16	41
4.	Application Service License ( AS )	17	4	21
5.	Network Service License ( NS)	9	6	15
	Total	88	39	127

National Policy

Myanmar Telecommunications Masterplan

The Myanmar Telecommunications Masterplan includes several references to universal service and the USF. Key connectivity targets for 2020 are as follows:
1) Over 90% of Myanmar population covered by a telecommunications network;
2) Over 85% of Myanmar population covered by a network that provides internet access;
3) Over 50% of Myanmar population with access to a high-speed internetconnection.

Telecom Policy and ICT Policy

Telecom Policy

To increase the deployment of national IT infrastructure
To provide a financially viable telecommunications sector conducive to sustainable investment in telecommunications
infrastructure
To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of telecommunications service delivery to end-users
To provide telecommunication services at the affordable price
To fulfil universal services obligation to the people of Myanmar

ICT Policy

To promote cooperation for ICT development
To enhance competitiveness of the ICT sectors
To promote cooperation to reduce digital divide
To promote cooperation between State and private sectors
To increase the availability of information technologies to all the citizens of our country

E-Government Master Plan (2016-2020)

MCIT has started the preparation of Myanmar e-Governance Master Plan with the support of ADB and Infosys Ltd in 2014
Revised in 2016
Implement by MOTC with the cooperation of the international Consultants from IDA and KPMG in 2016

Guidelines for the implementation of e-Government

Intended to extend utility based on existing resources. (e.g., e-Government network will be built on existing fibre network along the

railway and road)

To ensure that G2G, G2B and G2C services should meet the utility needs of citizens and businesses

Assessment of ICT and e-Government Policies

Computer Science Development Law (1996)
Electronic Transaction Law (2004), Amended (2014);
The Telecommunications law (2013)

Economic Policy for ICT

One of the National Objectives in August 2016
To establish
- Data ID Card System,
- Digital Government Strategy and
- e-Government system

DEDC Master Plan – 7 Key Sectors

1.Education and Learning
2.Healthcare and Welfare sector
3.Financial Services sector
4.Agriculture sector
5.Manufacturing sector
6.Tourism, Hospitality and Retail sector
7.Government services

Note: Digital Economy Development Committee (DEDC)

Operator Licensing

LICENSE PROCESSING TIMELINE


License Type	Applied for or Applied by	Ministry Approval	Union Government Approval	Processing Timeline
NFS (I)	Int’l Gateway Or Foreign person	Yes	Yes	90 days
	Otherwise	Yes	No	60 days
NS	Foreign person	Yes	Yes	90 days
	Otherwise	Yes	No	60 days
NFS (C)	Foreign person	Yes	Yes	60 days
	Otherwise	Yes	No	30 days
AS	Foreign person	Yes	Yes	60 days
	Otherwise	Yes	No	30 days

Technical and Administrative Requirements

Licensing Fees

Access to Spectrum

All the guide for application and procedure and fees are here: https://ptd.gov.mm/ServicesDetail.aspx?id=18&__ncforminfo=QFFd0cALmJsGx4tqx5i3TOkiPHsyPePkuzER8TGyqpu5xZ5VSI7bhOPhJZLQpK755_bjivWgt6UL8dMKfC5frA==

Technical and Administrative Requirements

Licensed

Access Networks

Operator	800MHz	900MHz	1800MHz	2100MHz	2600MHz	3500MHz
XYZcom	None	2×10	2×15	2×10	None	None

PtP Networks

License-Exempt

Access Networks

Frequency	Power Limit	Transmit Power
2.4GHz
2400 – 2483.5 MHz	`2.4EIRP`
5GHz
5150-5250 MHz	`5.1EIRP`
5250-5350 MHz	`5.2EIRP`
5470-5725 MHz	`5.4EIRP`
5725-5800 MHz	`5.8EIRP`

PtP Networks

Frequency	Power Limit	Transmit Power
2.4GHz
2400 – 2483.5 MHz	`2.4EIRP`
5GHz
5150-5250 MHz	`5.1EIRP`
5250-5350 MHz	`5.2EIRP`
5470-5725 MHz	`5.4EIRP`
5725-5800 MHz	`5.8EIRP`

Secondary Use

Access Networks

PtP Networks

Spectrum Fees / Costs

Application

All telecom and communication license application process and fees https://www.ptd.gov.mm/Services.aspx

Licensing and Inspection Division

https://www.ptd.gov.mm/Organization.aspx?id=6&__ncforminfo=6BQavN68SiGx6FG6xW3KjCj_DvM776qdD8UThT6Dnz-2exE8nTe3G58PylTHAL1iMHyTx2fiiCv18TJXExIFQ7YNLmUyoc2Y

Auction

All of telecommunication related tender call are here https://www.ptd.gov.mm/Announcement.aspx?id=2&__ncforminfo=i7C4b9XQ2ZJHJAaaVLiZ6yAW3y0hQCHR6R7XD9qufUEZ2okGRZ_fCfMeWmhKUBEnt90g8FEfgFyvMCRA1PoUwLdOj-PwoB2t

License holder list https://www.ptd.gov.mm/Uploads/License/Attach/12020/78536142212020_Website%20New%20%20Licence.pdf

Tower list https://www.ptd.gov.mm/Uploads/License/Attach/122019/9655593122019_Co.,Ltd%20Tower%20Update.pdf

List of the optical fiber path https://www.ptd.gov.mm/Uploads/License/Attach/112019/25121419112019_BACKBONE%20FIBER%20UPDATE%20(9-2019)%20.pdf

Microwave Band Plan (31 Jan 2019 Update) https://www.ptd.gov.mm/Uploads/License/Attach/22019/821915622019_Micro%20Band%20Plan%20Update(31.1.2019)English.pdf

Public Land Mobile Spectrum (31 Jan 2019 Update) https://www.ptd.gov.mm/Uploads/License/Attach/22019/1681015622019_Band%20plan%20Update%20(31.1.19)%20English.pdf

List of FM Station and their license https://www.ptd.gov.mm/Uploads/License/Attach/52019/5761315752019_FM%20(Enhlish).pdf

Toll-Free Number list https://www.ptd.gov.mm/Uploads/License/Attach/22019/3428161422019_Allocated%20Tollfree%20Number%20Data.pdf

Mobile numbering list https://www.ptd.gov.mm/Uploads/License/Attach/12020/4517141412020_Allocated%20Mobile%20Number%20Data%20.pdf

Backhaul

Telecommunications Infrastructure (August, 2017)


Indicator	Statistic / Description
Telecom Operator	4 (2 from domestic, 2 from International)
National Fiber Backbone	549,55.23 Kilometer
International Submarine Cable	SEA-ME-WE-3, SEA-ME-WE-5, AAE1 (Ongoing Project)
Cross-border Fiber	China – Myanmar, India-Myanmar, Lao-Myanmar, Thailand – Myanmar(4 Links)
International Bandwidth	324.10 Gbps
International Gateway	5
Tower Over	18,000 towers
Number of Telephone	Fixed Phone - 0.52 million, Mobile Phone - 55.61 million, Total - 56.13 million
Telephone density	108.56 %
Internet Users	46.39 Million
Internet Penetration	89.73%

Gender

Universal Service

What is Universal Service?

* a policy goal to ensure that all people in a country have access and are able to use telecommunications services. * in particular for people living in rural and remote parts of the country and poorer households.

Specific objectives of USF

Collect funds ⇒ Design programs & projects ⇒ Finance those projects / disburse ⇒ Monitor implementation ⇒ Evaluate impact ⇒ Consult stakeholders throughout ⇒ Publish results ⇒ Publish results

Scope of Universal Service


Issue	Basic meaning	Specification
Availability	All inhabitants have service available	Coverage of inhabited geographic territory · Region /area · Locality size (e.g., towns, villages, settlements with varying number of inhabitants)
Accessibility	All inhabitants can access the service	Gender · Race, tribe, religion · Ability /disability
Affordability	All inhabitants can afford to pay	· Access device (e.g., mobile phone) · Cost of calls & services · Minimum “basket” below a certain national limit (e.g., 3% of family income)
Ability	All inhabitants have the telecom services	With increasing focus on the broadband Internet, user capabilities become important · Awareness of services and their benefits · Ability to use computers & devices · Ability to navigate the Internet & use ICT services

Universal Service Strategy Outcomes

Increasing & accelerating Voice and Internet broadband provision.
More people have access to services & applications, as well as the capacity to use them.
Creating opportunities for both economic & social growth.

Program 1 Infrastructure Roll-out: Voice & Broadband

Voice

Operators will reach at least 94% by Q1, 2019
Target: within 5 years 99% of the population to be covered by mobile signal
Service for an additional 3.2 million people

Broadband Internet

Target: 95% of the population will have broadband Internet within 5 years
Total estimated subsidy cost USD 25.4 million

Program 2 ICT Capacity Building: Enabling the Digital Future

Target

Increase capacity of population to use the Internet for their socio-economic benefit and Myanmar development
Many links between increased ICT capacity and economic growth and social development

Two Sub-Programs

Broadband Internet connectivity for various learning & other institutions
Digital literacy project with eligible local organizations

Program 3 Special Programs

Purpose

integrate other aspects of universal service which won’t fit in Program 1&2
Explore new approaches to be used later in mainstream program

Types of Special Projects

ICT content, service or application for development for rural users/ lower income groups
Improved access/ usability for persons with disabilities
Small pilot for broadband connectivity (e.g., rural hospitals)
Any other pilot or research projects

Proposed Pilot

Funding to translate special software to assist persons with disabilities to use
ICT – RFP process

USF Progress

Universal Service Strategy (Final)
Guideline for USF
Public Consultation
Implementing Pilot Project
Implementing Universal Service Strategy

Laws and Regulations

THE TELECOMS LAW The Telecommunications Law No. 31/2013 (“Telecoms Law”) was introduced on 8 October 2013, providing a modern regulatory framework for Myanmar’s telecommunications sector. The Telecoms Law regulates network facility services, network service providers and application service providers.

THE LICENSING RULES The Telecoms Law is supplemented by Notification No. 16/2014 (Licensing Rules) issued by the then Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of the Union Government (MCIT), which introduced rules and regulations in respect of licensing as well as the implementing regulations to the Telecoms Law. The Telecoms Law and Licensing Rule have been augmented by the following legislation

Note: MCIT reorganized as Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) Notification No. 9/2016 (25 May 2016)

Legislation	Date
Interconnection and Access Rules	6 January 2015
Telecoms Competition Rules	9 June 2015
The Numbering Rules	3 December 2015
The Spectrum Rules	7 March 2016
Technical Specifications for Short Range Device	17 July 2016
Guidelines on the Provision of International Gateway Services	8 September 2016
Telecommunications Numbering Plan	31 January 2017
The Technical Specification and Quality of Service for International Gateway Service	5 April 2017
Draft Myanmar Communications Regulatory Commission Law (MCRC Law)	15 May 2017
The Law Amending the Telecommunication Law	18 August 2017

Other laws and regulations related to Telecom sector in Myanmar


Year	Law and Regulation
October, 1885	Myanmar Telegraph Act (India Act XIII)¹
January, 1934	Myanmar Wireless Telegraph Act (India Act XVII)²
March, 1989	State-owned Economic Enterprises Law³
October, 1993	Amendment of Myanmar Wireless Telegraph Act⁴
September, 1996	Computer Science Development Law⁵
April, 2004	Electronic Transactions Law⁶
January, 2011	Myanmar Special Economic Zone Law⁷
October, 2013	Telecommunications Law⁸
December, 2013	Licensing rules⁹, Interconnection and access rules¹⁰, Spectrum rules¹¹, Numbering rules¹² and Competition rules¹³

Resources / References

1. http://www.mcpt.gov.mm/mcpt/myanmar-telegraph-act.htm
2. http://www.mcpt.gov.mm/mcpt/myanmar-wireless-telegraphy-act.htm
3. http://www.mcpt.gov.mm/mcpt/miscellaneous.htm
4. http://www.mcpt.gov.mm/mcpt/amendment.htm
5. http://www.mcpt.gov.mm/mcpt/myanmar-computer-science-development-law.htm
6. http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un-dpadm/unpan041197.pdf
7. http://www.mcpt.gov.mm/mcpt/miscellaneous.html
8. http://www.mcit.gov.mm/content/telecommunications-law.html
9. https://www.motc.gov.mm/sites/default/files/1%20-%20MCIT%20-%20Final%20Licensing%20Rules%20-%20122013%20CLEAN.pdf
10. https://www.motc.gov.mm/sites/default/files/3%20-%20MCIT%20-%20Annex%20B%20-%20Proposed%20Interconnection%20Rules%20-%2011113.pdf
11. https://www.motc.gov.mm/sites/default/files/3%20-%20MCIT%20-%20Final%20Spectrum%20Rules%20-%20122213%20CLEAN-1.pdf
12. https://www.motc.gov.mm/sites/default/files/4-%20MCIT%20-%20Final%20Numbering%20Rules%20-%20%20122213%20CLEAN-1.pdf
13. https://www.motc.gov.mm/sites/default/files/5%20-%20MCIT%20-%20Final%20Competition%20Rules%20-%20122213%20CLEAN.pdf