Internet access while maintaining strict control over online activity. The new ISP,
Hanthawaddy National Gateway, which was reportedly launched in July 2008, will
serve the entire country with the exception of Rangoon. 27 In the case of Hanthawaddy,
which officials state will operate to ‘‘international standards,’’ Internet security will be
achieved largely through filtering. According to an MPT official, ‘‘The main advantages
of having this ISP is that the Internet connection will be fast-moving, and good security will be available because of the website filtering system.’’ 28 The Irrawaddy, an overseas news site, reported that Hanthawaddy ‘‘received technical assistance from China’s
Alcatel Shanghai Bell Company.’’ 29
As a signatory to the e-ASEAN Framework Agreement initiated in 2000, Burma has
formed the e-National Task Force to support IT development. 30 Yadanabon Cyber City
(in Pyin Oo Lwin), set to become Burma’s largest IT development, is also part of an
information and communications technology (ICT) development master plan under
the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI). 31
Although the government initially cited a preference for investment from local companies or foreign companies that are cooperating with local companies, rather than
solely foreign-owned enterprise, three foreign companies—Russian-owned CBOSS,
Maxinet of Australia, and Global Technology (believed to be based in either Thailand
or the U.K.)—were among the 12 technology companies approved to invest USD 22
million in the site, which is somewhat isolated by being 30 miles from Mandalay. 32
However, Shin Satellite of Thailand, Alcatel Shanghai Bell of China, and Malaysia’s IP
Tel Sdn Bh were reportedly rejected as investment partners. 33 The Irrawaddy quoted
sources from computer universities as stating that Yadanabon’s objective was to tighten
control over Internet connections as well as prevent users from gaining access to or
distributing information critical of the regime. 34
Both MPT and MMT are currently connected to the Hanthawaddy Gateway backbone (a move announced in September 2008 but only recently executed), 35 but
Yadanabon will ultimately serve as the national backbone (with a bandwidth of 600þ
Mbps according to some sources), connected to China and eventually India and
Thailand through overhead optical fiber (STM 1 or higher), underground optical fiber
(STM 1 or higher), satellite communication systems, and the SMW-3 undersea cable
system. 36
To counterbalance price and access controls, most users access the Internet in Internet cafe ´s (between USD 0.30 and USD 0.50 per hour). 37 Officially, there are 433 public
access centers (PACs) nationwide, and the government plans to achieve full coverage
of PACs in every township in the country. 38 In reality, the number of PACs and Internet cafe ´s has increased rapidly in Rangoon, Mandalay, and other major towns and
cities across the country, with more than 1,000 PACs operating without licenses in
Rangoon alone. 39 Some PACs are owned by Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) and run Internet cafe ´ services in their local offices in townships. Some
434
Burma
Hanthawaddy National Gateway, which was reportedly launched in July 2008, will
serve the entire country with the exception of Rangoon. 27 In the case of Hanthawaddy,
which officials state will operate to ‘‘international standards,’’ Internet security will be
achieved largely through filtering. According to an MPT official, ‘‘The main advantages
of having this ISP is that the Internet connection will be fast-moving, and good security will be available because of the website filtering system.’’ 28 The Irrawaddy, an overseas news site, reported that Hanthawaddy ‘‘received technical assistance from China’s
Alcatel Shanghai Bell Company.’’ 29
As a signatory to the e-ASEAN Framework Agreement initiated in 2000, Burma has
formed the e-National Task Force to support IT development. 30 Yadanabon Cyber City
(in Pyin Oo Lwin), set to become Burma’s largest IT development, is also part of an
information and communications technology (ICT) development master plan under
the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI). 31
Although the government initially cited a preference for investment from local companies or foreign companies that are cooperating with local companies, rather than
solely foreign-owned enterprise, three foreign companies—Russian-owned CBOSS,
Maxinet of Australia, and Global Technology (believed to be based in either Thailand
or the U.K.)—were among the 12 technology companies approved to invest USD 22
million in the site, which is somewhat isolated by being 30 miles from Mandalay. 32
However, Shin Satellite of Thailand, Alcatel Shanghai Bell of China, and Malaysia’s IP
Tel Sdn Bh were reportedly rejected as investment partners. 33 The Irrawaddy quoted
sources from computer universities as stating that Yadanabon’s objective was to tighten
control over Internet connections as well as prevent users from gaining access to or
distributing information critical of the regime. 34
Both MPT and MMT are currently connected to the Hanthawaddy Gateway backbone (a move announced in September 2008 but only recently executed), 35 but
Yadanabon will ultimately serve as the national backbone (with a bandwidth of 600þ
Mbps according to some sources), connected to China and eventually India and
Thailand through overhead optical fiber (STM 1 or higher), underground optical fiber
(STM 1 or higher), satellite communication systems, and the SMW-3 undersea cable
system. 36
To counterbalance price and access controls, most users access the Internet in Internet cafe ´s (between USD 0.30 and USD 0.50 per hour). 37 Officially, there are 433 public
access centers (PACs) nationwide, and the government plans to achieve full coverage
of PACs in every township in the country. 38 In reality, the number of PACs and Internet cafe ´s has increased rapidly in Rangoon, Mandalay, and other major towns and
cities across the country, with more than 1,000 PACs operating without licenses in
Rangoon alone. 39 Some PACs are owned by Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) and run Internet cafe ´ services in their local offices in townships. Some
434
Burma