Internet In Myanmar

[Kiggs]

Been looking and reading and have seen a few things but would like to get it from the horses mouth.

Going from a list what's blocked and what's going to need some creative connections.

Google:

Google ad words:

Google mail:

Skype:

YouTube:

Facebook:

I'm sure I will think of more stuff or if you know anything that I'm going to need please call out.

Cheers again for the help.

Dan

[householder]

None blocked except for AdWords/AdSense accounts from what I can see.

[Kiggs]

Thanks for that. Skype Facebook and bank is my main concern but just like to know what I have to have in place back in the UK.

[simon43]

The only web-sites that are blocked from the Myanmar side are porn sites (where the sites that are blocked come from a commercial black list). I guess that sensitive political sites will also be blocked.

The frustrating 'blocking' comes from sites like Paypal, Ebay and Google Adsense. So for example, if you want to pay online using Paypal, then you need to make your connection using a proxy server.

At present, you can forget about watching streaming video, video conferences or YouTube clips. The international bandwidth is just too low to make that possible....

Simon

[householder]

The only web-sites that are blocked from the Myanmar side are porn sites (where the sites that are blocked come from a commercial black list). I guess that sensitive political sites will also be blocked.

The frustrating 'blocking' comes from sites like Paypal, Ebay and Google Adsense. So for example, if you want to pay online using Paypal, then you need to make your connection using a proxy server.

At present, you can forget about watching streaming video, video conferences or YouTube clips. The international bandwidth is just too low to make that possible....

Simon

If you fork out for a RedLink connection video becomes a possibility, but used sparingly due to bandwidth restrictions (I'm not paying $90 USD a month for a 12 gb allowance!)

[Kiggs]

Not sure on this but there was talk about trying to get a satellite connection but have no idea on that until I get there.

Google AdSense and analytics I can manage as and when I can. Its just the day/mth stuff that I just want to be sure on.

You never know at the rate that things are going it might all be lifted very soon.

[householder]

There's actually less censorship here than in Thailand now. You can get access to most services. And I've just set up access to AdWords and Analytics. PM for details.

[phuketrichard]

just use spotflux

[Kiggs]

I will try that. Just testing a few this week.

Cheers

[simon43]

You never know at the rate that things are going it might all be lifted very soon

If you mean 'lifted' from the Myanmar side, then that's not going to happen because nothing is blocked here - apart from the usual (and unusual porn). The issue is the lack of international bandwidth because all international internet traffic has to go via the satellite up-link in north Yangon, and there is insufficient bandwidth. I've had meetings with the technical staff at the up-link station and they bemoan this lack of bandwidth, but do not see any early increase in the bandwidth, due to lack of investment in equipment...

If you mean 'lifted' from the international side, then Paypal has stated recently that Myanmar is not on the list of countries that it provides service to .... hopefully that will change

Simon

[CP3]

They have many cross border connections. not only via VSAT link. It is just a matter of whether they want to do it or not. They do have blocking, try normal VoIP SIP connection, it will never work.

[householder]

They've dropped down the Redlink sign-ups costs even further (which has annoyed me no end since I picked it up at full price last month) shortly after ADSL costs were dropped (and I've been told there's a HUGE demand for ADSL services now). This will lead to huge demand on what little infrastructure there is and even the expensive connections will probably be overloaded soon.

Seems like they're taking the same approach the government did with cars - make it more affordable, put a huge strain on what little infrastructure there is THEN look to expand capacity. The logic escapes me. Soon, everyone can afford slow internet in the same way it's now more affordable to sit in and add to gridlocked traffic and congestion!

[Kiggs]

Lifted as in PayPal and eBay restrictions. Don't mind the slow connection speeds I'd be happy with isdn speeds if I'm honest. Don't plan on doing much streaming . Just the don't want to be messing about with proxies all the time.

Needs must I guess for the time being.

[simon43]

I'd be happy with isdn speeds if I'm honest

Oh dear - you are in for a big shock then! The best time for fast downloads is about 6am local time, and even then I have never been able to stream YouTube videos...

Right now (3pm), I am in a Yangon internet cafe. The download speed is averaging about 210 BITS/sec (yes bits!). My 1MB mp3 audio download for my school class still has 80 minutes to go....

Sometimes it takes 10 minutes to download a single ThaiVisa web-page

Of course you may be lucky and find some fast download speeds. But to re-state that there are no 'many' cross-border internet connections. There are 2 satellite ground-station gateways and then you can use IP-STAR for your own VSAT link.

Simon

[CP3]

If you'r looking for a good decent connection, use it at Castle Internet Cafe (142-146 Sule Pagoda Road, 2nd floor).

[householder]

If you'r looking for a good decent connection, use it at Castle Internet Cafe (142-146 Sule Pagoda Road, 2nd floor).

Had closed down and moved location last time I checked?

[householder]

If you're here for a year or more they've dropped the RedLink prices down to 4.5 lakh for an initial connection. They're running a promotion from 24-31 December where it's 2.7 lakh for the setup cost. Compare that to the 6.3 lakh I paid last month...

[Kiggs]

210bits!!!!!

Forget about online gaming then

Let's hope we can get a good connection at work or at least 28000kbs, it will take me back to the old dail up days.

[householder]

210bits!!!!!

Forget about online gaming then

Let's hope we can get a good connection at work or at least 28000kbs, it will take me back to the old dail up days.

Unless you have FibreToTheHome or move to Pyin U Lwin (where they have fiber optic) the absolutely maximum headline speed for a non-military/government account is 3MBPs, which frequently cuts out/slows down.

[Kiggs]

String and 2 cups it is then

[CP3]

If you'r looking for a good decent connection, use it at Castle Internet Cafe (142-146 Sule Pagoda Road, 2nd floor).

Had closed down and moved location last time I checked?

You'r right. The one at Sule has closed down.

That one has moved near to "Tar Mway Market"

Another branch at Myay Ni Gone(next to Yoma bank) 1st floor.

Heard another one at Hlay Tan.

[CP3]

In Myanmar, you can't expect good internet unless you know "someone". They purposely make it slow due to political reason

[householder]

In Myanmar, you can't expect good internet unless you know "someone". They purposely make it slow due to political reason

Or you use fibre-optic internet in the net cafes in the military town of POL, in which case you share internet booths next to uniformed Tatmadaw officers...

...or you pay $4 for a cup of coffee for 3 hours access in Traders, which is pretty fast.

[phazey]

You never know at the rate that things are going it might all be lifted very soon

The issue is the lack of international bandwidth because all international internet traffic has to go via the satellite up-link in north Yangon, and there is insufficient bandwidth. I've had meetings with the technical staff at the up-link station and they bemoan this lack of bandwidth, but do not see any early increase in the bandwidth, due to lack of investment in equipment...

This surprises me. The earthstation in "North Yangon" (the one by the reservoir - i spent a lot of time there) is for voice calls only - it does not handle Internet traffic. There is more dark fibre heading up the Andaman sea than you can shake a stick at. Sadly.

I will dig a little, and bring back numbers.

[Kiggs]

You never know at the rate that things are going it might all be lifted very soon

The issue is the lack of international bandwidth because all international internet traffic has to go via the satellite up-link in north Yangon, and there is insufficient bandwidth. I've had meetings with the technical staff at the up-link station and they bemoan this lack of bandwidth, but do not see any early increase in the bandwidth, due to lack of investment in equipment...

This surprises me. The earthstation in "North Yangon" (the one by the reservoir - i spent a lot of time there) is for voice calls only - it does not handle Internet traffic. There is more dark fibre heading up the Andaman sea than you can shake a stick at. Sadly.

I will dig a little, and bring back numbers.

Why Sadly? Dropping Fibre is a good thing. Or have i got the wrong end of the stick?

[householder]

I thought all data went through the data centre at Yadanabon Cyber City near Pyin U Lwin? You know, the one that, from the outside, appears to have absolutely no physical security whatsoever!

[phazey]

You never know at the rate that things are going it might all be lifted very soon

The issue is the lack of international bandwidth because all international internet traffic has to go via the satellite up-link in north Yangon, and there is insufficient bandwidth. I've had meetings with the technical staff at the up-link station and they bemoan this lack of bandwidth, but do not see any early increase in the bandwidth, due to lack of investment in equipment...

This surprises me. The earthstation in "North Yangon" (the one by the reservoir - i spent a lot of time there) is for voice calls only - it does not handle Internet traffic. There is more dark fibre heading up the Andaman sea than you can shake a stick at. Sadly.

I will dig a little, and bring back numbers.

Why Sadly? Dropping Fibre is a good thing. Or have i got the wrong end of the stick?

The sad thing is that it's dark. Unused.

[Kiggs]

Ahhhh. Lol

Its been a long few weeks.

[tai4de2]

I was in Rangoon in December 2012 and was ASTONISHED at the excellent sppeds I got out of the Traders Hotel's wi-fi. It was like being at home in the US.

Nothing I could tell was blocked, either.

[Kiggs]

I have an apartment sorted in Yankin but not sure if there is any net there yet. Will have to arrange some that's for sure.

100/30meg connection would be nice