Phone and internet services are still disrupted in the upper Sagaing Region and Kachin State, where the Shanni ethnic groups reside, according to on-the-ground information.
Phone and internet blackouts remain in several townships, including Homalin, Banmauk, Pinlebu, Wuntho, Katha, Htigyaing, Kawlin, and Phaungpyin in the upper Sagaing Region, as well as in Mohgyin, Moegaung, Moemauk, Bhamo, Hpakant, Myitkyina, and Waingmaw in Kachin State.
Locals report that communication blackouts have resulted in a lack of information and disrupted money transfer services.
A local from Mansi said: “The difficulty is the transfer of money via banks. We can’t make transfer anymore. We can’t transfer money at private banks. The lack of connection makes doing businesses more difficult.”
Despite the phone and internet blackouts, some people are accessing the internet via Starlink satellites at certain tea shops and grocery stores. However, the cost for this service is over ten times higher than standard internet rates.
The people have to spend at least nearly 20,000 kyats to access the internet, a local from Homalin said.
“We have to go by motorbike to access the internet. Gasoline costs 10,000 kyats per bottle. We have to spend 5000-10,000 kyats to use internet. So, we have to spend Ks-15,000 to 20,000 kyats if we want to use internet with mobile phone,” the local said.
Phone and internet blackouts have persisted for over three years in Kawlin, Wuntho, and Pinlebu Townships in Kawlin District since 26 September 2021, local residents said.
Since early 2023, phone lines and internet speeds have been significantly reduced in conflict areas of Hkamti Township in Hkamti District and Homalin Township in Homalin District, where many Shanni people reside. In the first week of July 2024, the entire district experienced complete phone and internet blackouts.
Since the first week of March 2022, phone and internet services have been disrupted in Indaw, Katha, Htigyaing, and Banmauk Townships in Katha District. However, some areas in the western part of Banmauk Township, which are under the control of the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA), still have access to phone lines.
Since August 2021, Hpakant Township in Mohnyin District has been experiencing an internet blackout.
Since 21 July 2024, phone and internet lines have been down in Mohnyin, Moegaung and Hpakant Townships in Mohnyin District and Moemauk, Bhamo, Mansi and Shwegu Townships in Bhamo District and Myitkyina and Waingmaw Townships in Myitkyina District and Tanai District.
Sent by Shanni Voice.
