Myanmar cracks down on illegally imported mobile phones
Monday, 16 July 2007
YANGON, July 15 (Xinhua): Myanmar is cracking down on using mobile phones illegally imported across border from some neighboring countries, local reports reaching here today said.
Available in low cost and its coverage of wave signal within a radius of about 50 kilometers, such imported foreign mobile phones controlled by other sides of the border are widely and illegally used in some Myanmar border areas such as Muse and Tachilek in Shan state, Myitkyina in Kachin state and Myawaddy in Kayin state, according to the Newsweek journal.
The authorities warned that use of mobile phones in the country can only be granted by the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs.
There has been over 140,000 mobile phones in Myanmar as of now since the 1990s when such phones were first introduced.
According to the state-run Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications, GSM (global system for mobile) phones in Myanmar can auto-roam 21 townships far up to the border areas also mainly covering Monywa, Mawlamyine, Bagan, Ngwesaung, Chaungtha, Taunggyi, Kyaingtong, Tachilek, Lashio and Muse in addition to Yangon and Mandalay.
Official statistics show that the number of various types of telephones in Myanmar has reached 513,300.
Available in low cost and its coverage of wave signal within a radius of about 50 kilometers, such imported foreign mobile phones controlled by other sides of the border are widely and illegally used in some Myanmar border areas such as Muse and Tachilek in Shan state, Myitkyina in Kachin state and Myawaddy in Kayin state, according to the Newsweek journal.
The authorities warned that use of mobile phones in the country can only be granted by the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs.
There has been over 140,000 mobile phones in Myanmar as of now since the 1990s when such phones were first introduced.
According to the state-run Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications, GSM (global system for mobile) phones in Myanmar can auto-roam 21 townships far up to the border areas also mainly covering Monywa, Mawlamyine, Bagan, Ngwesaung, Chaungtha, Taunggyi, Kyaingtong, Tachilek, Lashio and Muse in addition to Yangon and Mandalay.
Official statistics show that the number of various types of telephones in Myanmar has reached 513,300.