Myanmar Prepaid SIM
Dec 9, 2008, 8:49 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Dec 9, 2008, 7:05 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Like anything else there, money! Current cost is about $2500 for the phone itself. A friend of our guide/driver had one. And even with, the actual cell service wasn't always reliable -- even in cities.
As the article indicates, the cost will be dropped, but the per minute charges will balloon.
As the article indicates, the cost will be dropped, but the per minute charges will balloon.
Dec 10, 2008, 12:50 pm
#5
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yikes... I had no idea the cost for the phone was so high. I dont remember seeing anyone with phones for my entire 2 weeks there. Then again, I stayed at small guesthouses not major hotels and did not travel on a package tour to try to put as little money as possible to the government.
I would assume that anyone with a cell phone then would somehow be connected to the government goons.
I would assume that anyone with a cell phone then would somehow be connected to the government goons.
Dec 10, 2008, 2:55 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: bay area, ca
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it might seem that way, but...
And I'm pretty sure he's not in cohoots with the generals based on private conversations we had.
Interesting tidbit: the cost of a mobile phone was actually cut ~50% around a year ago -- so $2500 ain't that bad!
Last edited by TheBeerHunter; Dec 10, 2008 at 2:55 pm Reason: more info
Dec 18, 2008, 8:28 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Yes, US$2500. The country of Myanmar is ruled by a paranoid junta that doesn't want its people to know about life in the outside world. God forbid the people should easily be able to communicate with friends, family, and others in the outside world (or that during such crises as the so-called saffron revolution that happened last year, they should be able to get news out to the world of what is going on).
By keeping the cost of things like cell phones way out of reach of the average person, the government keeps its fist tightly clenched around the knowledge of its people.
By keeping the cost of things like cell phones way out of reach of the average person, the government keeps its fist tightly clenched around the knowledge of its people.
Jan 17, 2009, 1:09 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Myanmar
Posts: 1
About prepaid GSM phone cards in Myanmar
There are some interesting articles on this blog about prepaid phone cards in Myanmar. They are cheap and easily available to general public but also has their own shortcomings. Call rate is expensive and no way of refill, so after a month, the phone card expires. To buy one, you need to show your ID card or your passport. The price is US$ 10 and US$20 per card and each customer can buy up to 3 SIM cards (two US$ 10 cards and one US$ 20 card).
Here are the articles:
Prepaid SIM cards available in City Mart Supermarket
New GSM prepaid SIM cards from Myanmar
Hope these articles would help you in finding a SIM card to use while you are in Burma.
Here are the articles:
Prepaid SIM cards available in City Mart Supermarket
New GSM prepaid SIM cards from Myanmar
Hope these articles would help you in finding a SIM card to use while you are in Burma.
Feb 11, 2009, 8:34 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Call rates for these are (in US$):
Outgoing International 1.5
Outgoing local 0.30
Incoming call 0.05
Outgoing SMS 0.05 (couldn't get this to work).
Card has a validity of 30 days once activated, no top-ups possible - just buy a new one.
It seems City Mart is usually out of stock, I bought one in a phone shop on Anawrahta Road, near Sule (US$20+2000kyat) - no need for ID/Passport.
It's not the most reliable network but functions mostly ok.
Outgoing International 1.5
Outgoing local 0.30
Incoming call 0.05
Outgoing SMS 0.05 (couldn't get this to work).
Card has a validity of 30 days once activated, no top-ups possible - just buy a new one.
It seems City Mart is usually out of stock, I bought one in a phone shop on Anawrahta Road, near Sule (US$20+2000kyat) - no need for ID/Passport.
It's not the most reliable network but functions mostly ok.
May 21, 2013, 2:51 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
2013 updates?
Visiting for first time next month and wanted to purchase prepaid sim card, ideally with both voice and data. Suggestions re which provider, where to buy [at airport, hotel or retail store], passport or other ID required, etc./..
May 21, 2013, 9:04 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Yangon
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I would recommend getting one at the airport. This will be USD 20 I believe and once used you throw away you can not top it up.
you can try to buy a SIM from one of the retail stores in Yangon that can be topped up. However they are in very short supply at the moment. There are new USD2 SIM cards but they are virtually impossible to get hold of. therefore you are likely to only be able to get the old ones that cost USD250 (and even these are difficult to find).
you can try to buy a SIM from one of the retail stores in Yangon that can be topped up. However they are in very short supply at the moment. There are new USD2 SIM cards but they are virtually impossible to get hold of. therefore you are likely to only be able to get the old ones that cost USD250 (and even these are difficult to find).
May 22, 2013, 7:38 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
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May 22, 2013, 6:14 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Yangon
Programs: LH, PG, BA, SPG, HH
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I'm not sure of the details as I have a top upable pre pay SIM. But assuming it is similar to mine then you get voice (both national and international), text (just national) and data (charged per minute not by quantity of data - speed is very slow so not suitable for large quantities of data)