- Myanmar's first Internet Freedom Forum to be held in Yangon
- Myanmar police to receive assistance in setting up cyber-crime division
- Myanmar to hold first contest with Korea’s support
- USAID and a local company to form Cisco Networking schools in Myanmar
- Google’s Executive President to visit to Myanmar soon
- Yatanarpon Teleport to accept Y-pay card for ADSL bill
- ‘State sponsored’ hackers of journalists identified by their ingenuity, deputy minister says
- Replacing sim card too longwinded
- Red Link to upgrade mobile Net technology
- Red Link Co. succeed for free Wi-Fi transmission in coming SEA Games
A tech trapped generation
Published on Friday, 09 November 2012 17:16
No matter where in the world you live, you enjoy having an iPhone or an android-based mobile phone to keep in touch with others.
Slim and thin high-definition televisions are other subjects to dads who want to watch sports, moms who want to watch Korean dramas or kids who want to play Sony PS3, Microsoft Xbox or Nintendo Wii.
“Everybody loves HD,” said Kevin Kyaw, a kindergarten student.
Soe Tint, a Nokia user, was introduced to Chinese android phone Huawei last August. He caught up with tech world within a little time thanks to the phone.
Obsessed with his new android, he would play with his phone during every single break. He also downloads applications, read and watch news online.
“Ever since purchasing the phone, I am paying a very high phone bill. But I enjoy having it,” said Soe.
Many people in Myanmar have become fast getting to know everything about new tech products since the government has opened up business doors 18 months ago.
To many, it is wonderful to have all the new tech goodies every now and then. Whenever there is a release of new item, people would rush to get hold of it.
“I have been saving about US$100 per month to buy the new iPhone 4. Now Apple has released iPhone 5, which is costlier than iPhone 4. I don’t know how to catch up anymore,” said Marn Thu Shein.
While an iPhone 5 costs from Ks 900,000 ($1,071) to Ks 1.5 million ($ 1,786) in Myanmar, Nokia’s window phones were released with a basic price of $599.
“I am using both tablet and cell phone, which cost me over Ks 1 million. As I am a seaman, I can afford to buy those,” said Okkar Thwin Aung, a seaman.
A decent android phone or tablet price will be over Ks 110,000 ($120). However, high price of mobile SIM cards remains a key problem.
A SIM card with data line (3G network) costs about Ks 260,000 ($ 300).
According to reports, the government does not have any plan to reduce the SIM card price soon.
“The phone is a necessary evil,” said Aye Thandar, a university student.
Her father bought her the phone when she graduated from High School. She is not allowed to spend more than Ks 10,000 per month for her phone and her parents are helping her with the bill.
Myanmar phone users are now texting, tweeting and using Facebook on their smartphones.
But the Myanmar Post and Telecommunication’s service charge is very high.
Myanmar people are managing very well to keep up with new tech though things are expensive here in comparison with other Asean countries.