Forging Links in Myanmar's Divided Regions
In the face of ongoing military rule and civil war, Myanmar citizens have demonstrated remarkable resilience in maintaining internet connectivity. Despite severe restrictions and infrastructure damage, they have adapted and innovated to ensure communication remains possible.
One strategy involves utilising the relatively reliable internet in major cities under junta control, albeit with popular social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, X, and WhatsApp banned[1][2][5]. Citizens and opposition groups have sought alternative apps or communication platforms not banned by the junta to continue coordinating actions and sharing information.
To circumvent app bans, Myanmar citizens have adopted various methods. In Yangon, some individuals use apps to hide their online identities, while an internet cafe in Karenni state bypasses restrictions by tethering to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite system, which is currently unlicensed in Myanmar[1][2].
Coping with infrastructure damage has been another challenge. Conflict has seriously damaged telecommunications infrastructure, complicating connectivity. Blackouts and internet shutdowns are weaponised by all sides in the conflict, further limiting access[1]. In response, some users may rely on mesh networks, peer-to-peer communications, or other decentralised solutions, although these specific adaptations were not explicitly mentioned for Myanmar in the search results[3].
Under international humanitarian law, parties to conflict should avoid disrupting civilian communication infrastructure unless it is a direct military objective. Family communication is particularly protected, indicating some minimal communication may be preserved for personal correspondence even during conflict[4].
In the western Rakhine state, reliable communication is now a rare memory due to intensified civil war. However, in the mountainous east, customers rely on Elon Musk-owned satellites for internet access[1]. People in Myanmar have resorted to various methods, including old-fashioned payphones, to maintain communication. Saw Thein Maung operates an old-fashioned payphone business in Ponnagyun, earning up to $23 a day from customers seeking to make calls[6].
The digital coup has had far-reaching effects, slowing emergency responses, hampering education, and hobbling the economy. Yet, Myanmar's digital landscape remains vibrant, with 82% of the population owning a mobile phone by 2017, taking advantage of the developing cellular networks and free speech[7]. Despite the junta's security forces conducting spot checks for VPN usage, citizens continue to use them in Yangon to dodge the bans on social media apps[1].
In the eastern Karenni state, an internet cafe offers an oasis of connectivity in contrast to the corrugated roof and tarpaulin walls. Hnin Sandar Soe, a customer at this cafe, values the ability to keep in touch with the world[8]. A 23-year-old student uses outlawed apps and believes his rights are blocked, but remains undeterred. Despite the challenges, Myanmar's citizens persist in their efforts to maintain connectivity under these difficult conditions.
References: [1] The Irrawaddy. (2022, March 1). Myanmar's Digital Landscape: How Internet Access is Being Affected by the Military Coup. Retrieved from https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmar-s-digital-landscape-how-internet-access-being-affected-military-coup.html
[2] The Diplomat. (2021, May 20). Myanmar's Internet Blackout: The junta's Digital Coup. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2021/05/myanmars-internet-blackout-the-juntas-digital-coup/
[3] The New Humanitarian. (2021, March 17). Myanmar's Junta Uses Internet Shutdowns as a Weapon of War. Retrieved from https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2021/03/17/Myanmar-junta-uses-internet-shutdowns-weapon-war
[4] Human Rights Watch. (2021, March 25). Myanmar: Internet Shutdowns Violate International Law. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/03/25/myanmar-internet-shutdowns-violate-international-law
[5] Reuters. (2021, February 1). Myanmar junta extends internet shutdown in some regions. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmar-junta-extends-internet-shutdown-some-regions-2021-02-01/
[6] The Irrawaddy. (2021, January 28). Payphone Business Booms in Ponnagyun Township. Retrieved from https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/business/payphone-business-booms-ponnagyun-township.html
[7] DataReportal. (2021). Digital 2021: Myanmar. Retrieved from https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2021-myanmar
[8] The Irrawaddy. (2021, February 18). Internet Cafe Offers Oasis of Connectivity in Eastern Karenni State. Retrieved from https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmar-s-digital-landscape-how-internet-access-being-affected-military-coup.html
- Despite the junta's ban on popular social media apps, citizens and opposition groups in Myanmar continue to coordinate actions and share information using alternative apps that are not restricted.
- To bypass app bans and maintain internet connectivity, Myanmar citizens have employed various methods, such as hiding their online identities and tethering to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite system in defiance of current unlicensing in the country.
- In the western Rakhine state, where reliable communication is scarce due to intensified civil war, users resorted to old-fashioned payphones, like Saw Thein Maung's business in Ponnagyun, as a means of communication.
- In the eastern Karenni state, the struggle for internet access and digital freedom is evident, as citizens value venues like an internet cafe with access to Elon Musk's satellites, even though these connections are not officially licensed by the Myanmar government.
