Internet in Burma
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Burma has been connected to the Internet since 2000. However, the military government restricts Internet access through software-based censorship, including software provided by U.S. company Fortinet. This software limits the material citizens can access on-line, especially email service providers and pornographic websites.[1][2] The government also charges high prices to connect to the internet, and then charges on a per-hour basis once connected.[3] Many native Burmans do not have the money to pay for this.
Burma's country code is '.MM'.[4]
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[edit] Access and usage
Myanmar Teleport (formerly Bagan Cyber Tech) [1] and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication (MPT) are the only two Internet service providers in Burma. Internet cafés are common in the country. Most of the internet cafés use a number of different pieces of software to bypass government's proxy servers. As of 2005, Burma had approximately 63,000 internet users, a large increase from only a few thousand in 2000.[5] According to early 2006 information[citation needed], there are approximately 40,000+ users on MPT network, and nearly 80,000 users on Myanmar Teleport. So far there are only about 400+ broadband (ADSL, IP-Star, WLL) connections in the country[citation needed].
[edit] Government control and the "Myanmar Wide Web"
The Myanmar Wide Web (MWW) is a pejorative term for the nature of internet access in Burma. As described by journalists and free-speech activists, the MWW is designed to keep users away from information or artistic works that could possibly "subvert" the régime, cause ethnic tension, or encourage political instability in the view of the military junta. The Web sites that users are able to visit are pre-selected by official censors. Free e-mail services (which are more difficult to monitor than official government accounts) are not allowed. The role of Californian company Fortinet in providing censoring software from the junta was established by the OpenNet Initiative.
During the 2007 anti-government protests, the junta government completely shut down all internet service from its country, citing "a break in an underwater cable." [6]
[edit] References
- ^ "Internet Filtering in Burma in 2005: A Country Study", Open Net Initiative.
- ^ "Burma bans Google and g-mail", Burma Net News, 2006-06-27. Retrieved on 2006-06-28.
- ^ Martin, Steve, et al. Myanmar (Burma), 8th Ed. Lonely Planet Publications. ISBN 1740591909.
- ^ Country Code List: ISO 3166-1993 (E). American National Standards Institute, Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
- ^ ""Internet users reach over 63,000 in Burma in 2005"", People's Daily Online. Retrieved on 2007-09-27.
- ^ Burma 'cuts all Internet links'. Bangkok Post (2007-09-28).
- Article on Myanmar's Internet Censorship, Asia Times Online
- RSF Internet Under Surveillance 2004: Burma
- IFEX: Censorship in Burma
- Myanmar Web Directory
- Myanmar Yellow Pages by Myanmar Post and Telecoms
- Myanmar Telephone Directory / Myanmar White Pages
- Myanmar suffers massive Internet 'blackout'
[edit] External links
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