Myanmar junta suspends all wireless broadband networks until further notice

As night-time internet cut-offs stretch beyond 50 consecutive days

Myanmar’s military junta has ordered the suspension of wireless broadband services.

News of the clampdown came from local carriers, such as Ooredoo, which shared the following image explaining that, following a coup, the now-ruling military regime issued a directive that all wireless broadband services must be suspended as of April 1. The alert appeared on the English language version of its Myanmar website.

Ooredoo's Myanmar wireless broadband suspension notice ... Click to enlarge

Multiple reports suggest other carriers have sent posted or sent similar notices to their subscribers.

While news of wireless broadband being suspended makes the matter official, access has been hard to come by for more than two weeks. Another local carrier, Telenor, reported on March 17 that its mobile data network was unavailable. Specifically, the carrier said it can offer no data services, though voice and text message services remain accessible.

Monitoring service NetBlocks, meanwhile, says that night-time internet shutdowns have been imposed for 50 consecutive days.

Update: Fixed-line internet has been restored in #Myanmar from 9 am Monday local time after the 50th consecutive night of post-coup shutdowns.

Online platforms are heavily restricted and mobile data remains cut for a 22nd day 📵#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/3bHp3Z0RKj

— NetBlocks (@netblocks) April 5, 2021

The situation in Myanmar has worsened in recent days, with the junta now accused of killing over five hundred citizens after protests over the illegal usurpation of a democratically elected government.

The Register asked numerous enterprise technology companies if they will do business with the regime. Several replied that they prefer to keep their policies confidential to reduce the risk to their personnel inside the country. ®