Connectivity Down in Townships in Naga Self-administered Zone
By Network Media Group
Friday, December 1, 2023
For over a week, 2G service has been inactive in Burma’s Nanyun Township, which is situated in Naga Self-administered Zone within Sagaing Region. This has caused some local residents to express concerns about the spread of rumours, although that’s yet to happen.
“It’s so easy to spread fake news in our region. When we receive information, we are unable to verify whether it’s true or not,” explained a man from Nanyun town, who preferred not to disclose his name due to security concerns.
Following the coup, the junta’s State Administration Council had previously cut off 3G services in Nanyun and Leshi (also known as Layshi) townships.
The special zone shares a border with Kachin State’s Tanai Township, where communication towers are located, and locals there also experienced a loss of connectivity with MPT, Ooredoo, and Mytel.
A resident of Tanai town reported spotty connectivity in the previous weeks. He said that recently he can’t get online at all, noting that services are down in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State. Since they share the same hub, the impact is felt in Tanai and Nanyun townships as well.
Although household internet in Myitkyina has been suspended for 20 days, ATOM Myanmar cellular services are still operational.
An anonymous MPT staff member in Tanai Township clarified that the government did not intentionally cut internet services. “It’s because a phone cable was damaged in Htigyaing Township (Sagaing Region),” he said. Repairs are underway, but he said there is no specified completion date.
The Nanyun resident mentioned that individuals with CDMA phones can still access the internet, but not many people own these devices. Even for those who do, the connection remains poor, especially in bad weather. “If we want to communicate with someone, we cannot use our phones; we have to talk in person.” However, given the challenging transportation in the area, the loss of services is negatively impacting businesses in the self-administered zone.
