(Xinhua via NewsEdge) Some local private companies in Myanmar are set to provide new high-speed communication lines to Internet users under a cooperation program extended to the private sector by the state-run Myanmar Posts and Telecommunication (MPT)
A report from the Myanmar Times said the MPT is currently the only source of new Internet services in the country since the Myanmar Teleport suspended providing new service lines in 2004.
Among the private companies which will provide high-speed ADSL services to private users are the Myanmar Info-tech, a consortium of ICT companies, Global Technology and Myanmar World Distribution, the report said, adding that the latter two will use the Thaicom-3 satellite to bring Internet access to the country's remote areas.
According to the telecommunications authorities, the number of Internet users in Myanmar has reached nearly 300,000, up from merely 12 in four years ago.
Although the telephone wire capacity has been upgraded to 12Mbps from 2Mbps previously, the Internet lines are still so congested that arrangements are to be made to upgrade the capacity further to 45Mbps in the future.
To improve the country's Internet access, the authorities are also extending ADSL connections to every township, setting the target to be met by the end of this year.
© 2006 Xinhua
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